Unwise Counsel I was devastated. My sister, who had been one of my best friends, and I had had a falling out. Despite my efforts to mend the situation she would not speak to me. A certain circumstance compelled me to share my heartache with a friend. I...
I went through two broken engagements over a five-year period-same girl, both times. After the second and final break, I went to visit my friend. I was numb and tired of hurting. I felt dead inside. We talked for a while, and when I got up to leave he suggested that we pray together. I prayed first, mumbling to God the best theology I could think of under the circumstances. I then waited for him to begin. Nothing came for a long time. I was about to ask what was wrong when I heard something-a sob. I asked him what was wrong. All he could say was, “It hurts so much.”
Confronting God Loss and grief are everywhere in the landscape of our lives. There is nothing in human life to which we are attached that is permanent and unchanging. There is no deep or lasting bond which is not subject to the uncertainties of this world's...
Sharing the Pain, Sharing the Joy
When my daughter, Crista, was four months old, her pediatrician found a lump on the right side of her abdomen. The first indication of the blood tests, ultrasound, and needle biopsy was that the tumor was malignant. For two and a half weeks we waited anxiously, yet with the peaceful knowledge that God was in control.
Editor's Note: the following poem was written by Karen Mulder's friend Ruth, who attends church with Karen. My Friend My friend Mayo Clinic Devastating news: Cancer! Surgery to remove pancreas, spleen and a portion of the liver. "O Lord, my friend is very ill. Grant...
[Editor's note: do you know someone who is grieving the loss of a pet? In this excerpt from our book The Compassionate Congregation, we meet Loretta, whose sister offered caring words, even though she didn't fully understand Loretta's grief.] Lucky was a very special...