[a letter to my church after the passing of my grandma]
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Most of you know, by now, that my grandma passed away last
week. She was incredibly special to me and I will always miss her. I spent the
first 24 hours in tears, after hearing the awful news, but those initial tears
have passed. I'm sure they'll return when I first see my grandpa and while I'm
speaking at the funeral, but for now, the intense grief is gone.
There have been other tears shed over the last week as well,
but not tears of pain and sorrow. I have been moved to tears on seemingly
countless occasions this week by the beautiful and heartfelt words of comfort
and encouragement from you all, my church family. I have been grateful for your
friendship in my life. I have been blessed by your presence. I have felt the
power of your prayers.
I have been preaching about the significance of community
for years now -- about the importance of being a group that truly knows one
another and allows ourselves to be known. I have often spoken of
the incredible power in this sort of relationship -- that through
fostering intentional community we are able to be present with each other
through all of life's circumstances -- whether joyous or painful. We have tried
to foster this sort of communal space.
And I have certainly felt the blessing of your friendship,
but until now, I had not personally experienced the encouragement and joy of a
family of faith through a time of grief and hardship. Your kind and thoughtful
words have buoyed my spirit. Your cards and hugs have reminded me of the
goodness of God and His Church.
Thank you for that beautiful reminder. Thank you for loving
me and my family through this painful time. Thank you for being a church of
prayer. Thank you for being a family of faith. I love you all greatly.
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