CONCERNING GRIEF

October 5, 2004

Dear Family and Friends in Christ,

I pray you are well and that God has richly blessed you.

Over the past few weeks, I have encountered people who are grieving over the death of a loved one, or they have a loved one who is in declining health. They told me they are trying to understand and accept the outcome of their loss.

I think we are more accepting of an older loved one dying because we feel they have had a full life. We are also accepting of the death of a loved one who is suffering, we feel they are free from pain. But when a loved one dies suddenly, or a violent death, or they die young, we can’t wrap our minds around accepting their deaths.

I could tell you that your loved ones are in a better place that they aren’t suffering any longer. I could also tell you it was their time to go to be with the Lord, but that’s not what you want to hear. No matter what our minds tell us about deaths, our hearts are still broken.

For the person who’s loved one died suddenly, and there were unresolved issues between you; I ask you to do this little exercise. Enter a room alone, sit in a chair and ask God to let your loved one hear you tell them you miss them; tell them you love them; tell them you’re sorry for all the pain you caused them; ask them to forgive you and if the loved one caused you pain or wounded you; tell them you forgive them. Set you soul free from all guilt about your relationships, good or bad.

For the person whose loved one died a violent death and you can’t understand why. I say to you there are some mysteries we will not understand until we stand before the Father. What I did was to ask God to forgive the person who caused the death and I prayed for my loved soul to be at peace with the Lord.

For the person whose loved one is in declining health or has a loved one who has been told they have a terminal illness; I say trust in God’s divine plan for you loved one’s life.

For some of our loved ones will overcome their illness, but others will go on to be with the Lord. I don’t know why some people recover and others don’t; only God knows the answer.

I do believe we should spend as much time as we can with our loved ones. If you can’t physically visit, call them, write them, and email them. Let them know how much you love them.

To understand death is to know that death is only a breath away. I know this to be true because I sat at the bedside of many dying patients. And what comforts me to this day is the knowledge that there IS life after death. At the moments just before their last breath, each person had a spiritual guide to greet them. Some called out to a family member that had passed on, some said they saw an angel or angels; and others said they saw Jesus.

I was grateful to know my last breath in this realm did not mean my soul was going into an empty void. I joyed in the knowledge that my soul had a heavenly home to go to.

If you are in need of comfort, read the scriptures at the end of this letter. Let God hold you close to his heart. Because I want every one I know to go to heaven, I minister to them about our Lord’s salvation and love. Will you do the same with your loved ones? Tell them about our merciful God. Let’s us all plan for the greatest family reunion of all, our seeing everyone we know and love in heaven.

Love and Prayers,

Alma