This week we will be sharing the story of Esther. This is the only book in the Bible that does not mention God. We invite you to look for God throughout the week.
Take a moment to worship with the following songs.
The Power of a Prayer by Luke Combs and George Straight. Some of the lyrics sing, “trust in the Lord, He’s got a bigger plan.”
Goodness of God by CeCe Winans. Some of the lyrics sing, “all my days I’ve been held in Your hand.”
As we have walked through and revisited loss, mourning and grief this week I have been able to savor the beautiful memories of comfort I have experienced.
During the recent loss of my father in-law, Larry, our family was overwhelmed by all of the love and support we received. We were flooded by friends and family who were agents of comfort. I would like to share some that meant the most to me.
A few moments after Larry passed away, we all texted or called to notify others. The first phone call my husband received back was from our pastor who asked to pray with us. Clark put the call on speaker as we all gathered around my mother in-law in prayer. For that one moment the hands of time stopped as we all collectively called out to God for mercy, grace, and comfort. What a beautiful agent of comfort.
The relentless and tireless comfort given by the funeral home will always be etched in my mind. What a beautiful agent of comfort.
My college roommate was the first one at our house the next morning. She brought Chic-fil-a chicken minis and fruit. She sat and talked with me as the events of the night before sank in. What a beautiful agent of comfort.
One of my best friends ran errands with me and helped me think through choices. She even bought plants for my front porch to be a welcoming greeting as visitors arrived. What a beautiful agent of comfort.
The texts, phone calls, and visits from far and near were continuous. The idea that so many took time from their own busy schedules to be present was overwhelming. What beautiful agents of comfort.
The continuous outpouring of snacks, meals, drinks, and paper products were examples of love and generosity. What beautiful agents of comfort.
The abundance of flowers sent and trees planted in Larry’s memory will forever be reminders of his sweet memory. What beautiful agents of comfort.
I will always savor all of these beautiful agents of comfort. My prayer is that I will also be an agent of comfort to others when they experience loss and grief.
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We began our week together walking through grief with Naomi from the book of Ruth. I then asked you to reconnect with your own experiences with grief and sorrow. Today I leave you with some articles and information on dealing with grief. As you read and as you may have realized through your own experiences, there is no one size fits all grief protocol. Each of us must walk through our mourning in our own way and in our own time. With that in mind, I ask that you continually extend love and grace to those who may be mourning. Use your own experiences to help shape you as an agent of comfort.
Coping With Grief and Loss by Helpguide.org
Moving Forward: Dealing With Grief by focusonthefamily.com
The Stages of Grief As A Christian: Finding Healing and Hope by truehelpchristiancounseling.com
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2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV — Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
Yesterday, I asked you to remember a time you have suffered loss and to recall those who comforted you as you mourned. Naomi had her daughter in-law, Ruth, and later her family redeemer, Boaz, to show her comfort. Today is Thankful Thursday. Take time to intentionally thank one of those persons who served as an agent of comfort for you in your time of grief. Remind them of the specific act that meant most to you. Send a text, make a phone call, or better yet, write a thank you note. By being intentional about thanking him/her for the act of comfort, you are also encouraging future acts of comfort. Use your experience with comfort as a guide for you as you comfort others.
Let’s pray. Thank You God for comforting me and sending others to be agents of comfort. Guide and direct me as I have opportunities to comfort others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
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Matthew 5:4 NIV — Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
Yesterday we reflected on Naomi’s grief from the book of Ruth. I asked you to draw close to Naomi as we walked through her grief with her. As Naomi dealt with her loss, Ruth, her daughter in-law, became an agent of comfort. Later Naomi’s family redeemer, Boaz, also was an agent of comfort. It is inevitable that at some point in our lives we will experience loss. Today I ask you to draw close to a time you have mourned the loss of a loved one. Reflect on those who comforted you during your grief. How did they comfort you? What was most comforting to you as you mourned? Make a list of all of the ways you were comforted. Star or highlight the gestures that were most comforting to you. Make a plan to duplicate the gesture the next time you have the opportunity to be an agent of comfort to others.
Let’s pray. Dear God, thank You for sending comfort when I mourn. Show me ways I can be an agent of comfort for others. In Jesus’ name I pray, Amen.
@biblegateway @youversion
Psalm 34:18 NIV — The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Take a moment to read Ruth 1 NIV.
Naomi has lost both of her sons as well as her husband. She is mourning and she feels desolate. Her grief is so heavy that she changes her name to Mara which means bitter in Hebrew. It seems she feels God has forsaken her and brought misfortune to her. Let’s draw close to Naomi today and walk through her pain together.
Have you experienced grief in your life? There are many stages of grief, some of which are denial, anger, bargaining, depression, and then acceptance. What feelings did you have as you mourned? Where did you turn for help and support? If you or one of your loved ones is suffering from debilitating grief, I encourage you to reach out for support. One option is the Mental Health Hotline/866-903-3787.
Please know that God is with you, God loves you, and God will never forsake you.
Let’s pray the below prayer from biblestudytools.com
Help us, dear God, to embrace our sadness without guilt or shame. Grant us the wisdom to understand that grief is a natural and necessary part of the human experience. In our mourning, may we find strength in our memories, solace in our tears, and comfort in the support of those who walk this journey with us. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.
@biblegateway @youversion
As we begin this week together, take time to read and meditate on the scriptures that will be highlighted.
Psalm 34:18 NIV — The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.
Matthew 5:4 NIV — Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
2 Corinthians 1:3-4 NIV — Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God.
@biblegateway @youversion
