The Loss of Someone You Loved...

First off, I'd like to apologize ahead of time for anything that may sound sarcastic or unsympathetic.  Sorry if you get rubbed the wrong way, but this is MY blog, and I feel like putting a rant out into the world.

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One of the pet peeves in my life are people on Facebook who constantly, and I mean at least once a week or more, post sayings and pictures about their lost loved ones.  They often don't share anything personal, they just share a picture with a saying like this:

But they do it, ALL THE TIME.  I understand people process grief differently, but after "7 years" or "13 years"... enough is enough.  Geez,

We get it... someone you loved has died.  You miss them.  You remember only the best things about them.  You have forgotten their human-ness...  like when they were grumpy or unapologetic, or they burped or farted... and they have somehow sprouted angelic wings becoming the most wonderful, loving and perfect human being to ever walk on the face of the planet.

Get real.  If they were that wonderful, how blessed you were to have had them in your life for the amount of time you did!  Some people didn't get to meet them at all.  Stop dwelling on what you no longer have, but cherish, hold close to your own heart (quietly, privately) what you did have.

I feel pity on those people who cannot go on living because someone they loved, died.  Is that the kind of life that person would have wanted for you?  If they were truly wonderful, wouldn't they tell you to stop bemoaning their demise, and get out there and make the most of YOUR LIFE while you have it.  Spread some of that love on the people around you who need it in the here and now.

Yes, I have experienced loss.  I lost my daddy when I was 15.  That summer I had even fallen in love with him.  My mom died just last year.  They are gone.  I don't get to see them, touch them or talk with them anymore.  I loved each of them tremendously.  I was blessed to have my dad in my life for 15 years, and my mom for 55 years.  But they are no longer here in this world.  I need to share the love I have with my living children, and with my living friends, and maybe with some living "unlovable" types.

My Hope is Jesus, and the everlasting life He has promised to those who know Him.  I think I will see one of my parents in Heaven...  the other, I am not so sure of.  Since the Bible tells us there will be no tears in Heaven, and it would make me sad to know one of my parents didn't make it to Heaven, I may get there and not remember them at all.

The Bible also tells us there is no bridge between the living and the dead.  Don't you think it would just tear your special loved one up to see you cry and cry and be sad that they were now gone.  Would you hurt your loved one in that manner?  Remember, there are no tears in Heaven, so your loved one who is there is not a witness to your sadness.  Right now they have other things to experience, but what a reunion you will have when you are together again.

If they are not a witness to your sadness, they are also not a witness to your joys or perplexities of life.  They are not "looking down on you"...  that is Jesus' job to walk with you each step of the way and gently guide your path as you trust in Him alone.

Do not be deceived by the enemy into this mournful way of living.  Rejoice in the life God has given you.  Let the dead, bury the dead.  

Take time to grieve, it is an important journey.  But then, get on with LIVING and loving the living!

:)