Catastrophic grief, as many will testify, can paralyze. A numbness washing through one’s mind and body like the slow rise of an ocean’s tide. This may actually serve as a merciful buffer, sparing the person (for a time at least) an utter crushing of the soul.
When trauma with its disorienting shock floods in some find afresh that nothing substitutes for the gentle, anchoring calm of a close friend nearby.
When Henry drew his last breath at the traffic intersection, his precious Joyce was thrust into an upside down world of loss. From a mercy that heaven alone might supply, Joyce’s sense of desolation in this foreign country began easing. Juni, her American friend and fellow student, came to her aid.
What followed across the coming months and even into years ahead may be characterized as miraculous.
To the obvious question clamoring for answers, “How can good of any kind emerge out of such an evil-conceived nightmare?”, an other-worldly response would gradually emerge.
For those not having savored the tangible lovingkindness of God – whose sacrificial offering invokes levels of empathy defying description – simple language falls short.
Through Juni’s frequent presence and unimposing availability (shored up by a cadre of interceding teammates) the Spirit of comfort gained access to a traumatized, grief-stricken soul.
The precious scholar’s journey forward was marked by modest advances over long periods of time. One big setback involved a major crash when the car in which she was riding was rear-ended by a speeding motorist. This resulted in an extended hospital stay. Juni and friends, once again at her side.
Joyce found herself drawing upon the invisible strengths supplied from above through her forever sisters. She welcomed Christ himself into her life and into her story. He in turn granted, as scripture pledges, a treasured exchange. Beauty for ashes. The oil of joy for mourning (and even), the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.*
Jesus – man of sorrows, acquainted with grief.*
©2024 Jerry Lout *Isaiah 61:3; Isaiah 53:3
