I was aware as I left on this trip to Montana for Patty’s Celebration of Life that I would be grieving the loss of my friend while I would be ministering to others who were also grieving.
I know Patty’s faith was in her Savior Christ Jesus. I know where Patty is now, in the arms of her loving Good Shepherd. I know that my grief is for my loss, not for her gain. I would not wish her back here just to make me feel better.
I will grieve but with hope. “And now, dear brothers and sisters, we want you to know what will happen to the believers who have died so you will not grieve like people who have no hope.” [1Thessalonians 4:13 NLT]
I know that even amid that abundant hope, I will still have to mourn. The hope I have does not remove the pain of loss. It does not overrule the sadness or tears, nor eliminate the journey I must walk as I mourn my loss.
But I also know that the pain, sadness, and tears will never be strong enough to overpower the hope I have that I shall one day be with her, in the same place, in the arms of our loving Good Shepherd.
I have taught about and walked alongside others through the journey of loss and grieving and mourning. Now it is, once again, my turn to walk that journey.
