Kindness

Sometimes the days are long and the times are dark.

Loss enfolds us in a shroud of emptiness.

Our minds cannot comprehend our loss, even though the dreams of heaven offer a sweet promise.

What do we do? How can we help? We arrive on the doorstep of grief with a warm smile and we help them remember.

The doors of the church stand wide open in these days and the hearts of the people who remember loss touch the hearts of those experiencing it.

Hand in hand, hug to hug, we share tears or offer a word. Mostly, we  just have the courage to walk with them for a while, during the worst parts.

We bring food. We host meals. We make donations. We send flowers.  We put pen to paper and craft words of compassion. We create services, we attend services. We sing the hymns. We sit in silence in the coming and the going.

We notify the church family. We grieve with them. We print words of sympathy. We acknowledge memorial gifts. We reflect on the meaning of a life. We offer scripture.

On Memorial Day we formally remember once again, the joy of those who were among us for a while.

We remind them that there is room for laughter, that hope is eternal, and that tears are gifts given to help cleanse the soul.

We love them.

We walk with them to one of their most difficult moments in a cemetery somewhere.

So often it seems like we do so little, yet those who wander lost in their grief, are so deeply grateful.

If you came, spoke a word of comfort, worshipped, prepared food, cleaned up, greeted, sent a card, made a call or just simply took time to say "I care" in any way, know that each family that receives your kindness will be forever grateful.

Moving to the deeper places,
Jeff