Porch #155 🌅 a sunrise, the grief group, & a whole bunch of helpful resources
why I got out of bed at o'dark thirty + all kinds of wellness links for you to save & share
Praise ye the Lord. Praise, O ye servants of the Lord, praise the name of the Lord. Blessed be the name of the Lord from this time forth and for evermore. From the rising of the sun unto the going down of the same the Lord's name is to be praised.
- Psalm 113:1-3
Hey dear friends,
I’m guessing it’s been decades since I purposefully set out to watch the sun rise. I can’t begin to tell you how many sunsets I’ve taken in since we moved to the shores of Cape Cod, this wedge of land that finds itself right in the middle of the ever-changing bay and the great blue sea, nine years ago.
But sunrises?
None. Zilch. Zero.
That changed a few days ago when my body woke herself up around 5 am, tossed and turned and did all the things but didn’t have the slightest inclination toward going back to sleep. She whispered and cajoled me into heading out the door instead of thinking I was going to go back to dreamland.
And so I heeded her invitation. Quietly. Wrapped up like wintertime. And the glory of that orange-y golden orb rising slowly but surely into view was worth any meager effort I had expended in getting there.
And it made me wonder … not only how many stunning sunrises I’ve missed along the way, but how many noteworthy scenarios and outstanding miracles have passed me by because I was asleep at the wheel. Or preoccupied with my routines. Or too absorbed by to do-lists and busyness with things that in the light of eternity will have no value at all.
In recent days, I’ve mentioned the grief support group that I was leading. We just finished our four weeks together and all over again I realized how much I love being in listening mode. Discerning mode. Learning mode.
I continue to be amazed (and why?) at what God can do in just a few short hours when people feel safe and heard, their stories held in confidence and respect.
When you think of a grief support group you automatically go right to the death of a loved one. But grief encompasses so very much more, and more often than not the talking through of the death of loved ones cracks open a huge vault of other assorted griefs that have never even been named.
Let alone mentioned. Or explored. Or finally understood. And then released.
So my hat’s off not only to the women I’ve met with recently but to all of us who do the hard work of rolling up our sleeves and walking up and down sorrows’ hills and valleys. Those who know there’s something to lament but can’t quite name it. Who have no interest in believing that there’s a 1-2-3 checklist or some kind of magic wand that’ll wave away their grief. Who stubbornly refuse to be defined by what we’ve lost. Who are weary and heavy laden and so done with the whole thing.
Yes, it is possible and very much preferable to purposefully shed the worn and tattered garment of sadness and re-define ourselves by His joy. His peace. And all the good things the Holy Spirit originally gifted us with at our spiritual birth through Jesus Christ.
Because the Lover of our souls is the One who specializes in providing for those who grieve … ‘to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.’
(Isaiah 61:3).
And the Man of Sorrows is always and forever ready, willing, and able to use our healing experience to equip us to come alongside other hurting souls.
RESOURCES MENTIONED IN OUR WOMEN GRIEVING WELL GROUP
* GRIEF NOTES - my own story about losing 8 loved ones in 8 years
SCRIPTURES
The book of Job
Lamentations 3:19-26, 40, 55-58
Joel 2:23-26
2 Corinthians 1:2-4
Philippians 4:4-9
BOOKS
The Listening Life: Embracing Attentiveness in a World of Distraction
- Adam McHugh
* our 3 session book club
The Emotionally Destructive Relationship: Seeing It, Stopping It, Surviving It
- Leslie Vernick
* my review
WORKBOOKS
The Anger Workbook: An Interactive Guide to Anger Management
Carter & Minirth
The Choosing to Forgive Workbook: Discover Contentment & Peace By Letting Go of Harmful Anger
Carter & Minirth
The Freedom from Depression Workbook
Carter & Minirth
The Worry Workbook: 12 Steps to Anxiety-Free Living
Carter & Minirth
The Try Softer Guided Journey: A Soulful Companion to Healing
Aundi Kolber
GRIEF SHARE ONLINE & IN-PERSON SUPPORT
And in closing, there’s no better time to check out the Wellness Resources I’ve hand-selected just for you. As always, we do best when we do life, and loss, and all the things in the company of others.
Let’s talk about sunrises and sunsets, the process of lamenting, and the resources you’ve found helpful in time of need …
Linda
PORCH
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Such a beautiful, encouraging post. I can only imagine how much you helped the dear souls who were blessed to be in your group. God bless you, dear friend.
I like how you said there are so many things to grieve other than a death. People need love and support when they grieve the loss of someone in their life who is still living. That can be devastating as well.