This photo was taken as a new day dawned over the prairie somewhere around the Texas-New Mexico border as we traveled home from Lubbock, Texas, where my husband and I had attended the funeral of my sister-in-law. We had made that same trip a couple of months earlier to see my brother and her. She had been battling pancreatic cancer for over a year, and we wanted to see her because we didn’t know how much longer she had for life on this earth. During the week we visited she was doing very well, despite the cancer. We prayed for the miracle of healing. God saw fit to do that healing in the next life.
A New Day.
The occasion of the funeral was a time for tears and a time for joy. Tears for the loss of our beloved sister. She was not only my sister-in-law but a sister in Christ. Her memorial service was a testimony to her love for Jesus and how she shared that love with so many. Her death made us wonder why we suffer. At the graveside service, the officiant reminded us of this verse.
I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory about to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18 NRSV
Then after we got home I heard this song, “No Scars in Heaven,” on the radio for the first time. If you haven’t heard it, take a moment to listen.
Tears were mingled with joy for the opportunity to reconnect with family and friends. My three brothers and I were together for the first time since 2002. Two or three of us have been together over the years, but getting all four of us in one place at the same time has been difficult, since we don’t live close. Here’s a photo of us celebrating my youngest brother’s birthday two days after the funeral.
I find that sad happenings as well as happy ones can inspire stories. I lost both my mother and father before the age of thirty-five. I have used those emotions to tell stories. I am thankful for my Christian faith in the resurrection that gives me comfort in knowing I will see my loved ones again. I have also explored how the death of a loved one can make a person question God and even turn away. Some of my characters cling to God’s promises at the death of a loved one while others struggle, not understanding how a loving God could allow such suffering. Like David in the Psalms all the characters come to realize their strength and comfort comes from the Lord. Read Psalm 40:1-3 NRSV.
I waited patiently for the Lord;
he inclined to me and heard my cry.
He drew me up from the desolate pit,
out of the miry bog,
and set my feet upon a rock,
making my steps secure.
He put a new song in my mouth,
a song of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear,
and put their trust in the Lord.”
In my latest book, Miracle Baby, the heroine and hero are both suffering the loss of a loved one. They have to deal with the hurt and pain and eventually learn to lean on God.
What do you think of stories in which the characters have to work through grief? Do they help you deal with a similar situation? I will be giving away an ebook copy of A Place to Call Home, a story in which both the hero and heroine have lost a spouse, to one person who leaves a comment here. I will draw the winning name on July 27, 2021, at 9PM MST.
“Void where prohibited; the odds of winning depend on the number of entrants. Entering the giveaway is considered a confirmation of eligibility on behalf of the enterer in accord with these rules and any pertaining local/federal/international laws.”
Merrillee Whren is an award-winning author who writes inspirational romance. She is the winner of the 2003 Golden Heart Award for best inspirational romance manuscript presented by Romance Writers of America. She has also been the recipient of the RT Reviewers’ Choice Award and the Maggie Award for Excellence. She is married to her own personal hero, her husband of thirty plus years, and has two grown daughters. She has lived in Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, Chicago and Florida but now makes her home in the Arizona desert. When she’s not writing, she spends her free time playing tennis or walking while she does the plotting for her novels.
I have found over the years grief is deeper where things are unresolved. After so many deaths of loved ones I prefer to create positive relationships (which is often challenging as people prefer the status quo) and I find death is often a blessing to release the loved one from illness. Sad for my loss but so happy for their release and giving them the acceptance of letting go often eases their passing. It is also an opportunity for family and friends to come together and celebrate their life, heal rifts and consecrate their body and soul into God’s care. I live stories where something positive comes from someone’s passing. It is an opportunity to show honour and grace. Great post, thanks.
I like to see characters work through real life happenings, including grief, to see if it will help me look at things differently. One of my pet peeves is people saying that someone died instead of being healed. Ultimate healing takes place in Heaven for Christians, where we are healed totally and don’t face any sickness or death again. Healing here on earth is only temporary, and we’ll still face death. My consolation during this season of grief is that my Mom no longer has a broken hip, can see and hear without having to get shots in her eyes or wear hearing aids, that she’s no longer in pain. I like to picture her holding her 13th grandchild, the only one that wasn’t born healthy. I know she’s with my Daddy now, too. Someday, I’ll be there with them!
It helps to see characters go through real life struggles
This books looks really good, thank you for the giveaway!
I’m so sorry for your loss.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful song <3
Hi Dianne,
You are right about “the acceptance of letting go often eases their passing.”
Hi Trudy,
Those are all good thoughts. I remember when I was in college, I had a friend who was confined to a wheelchair. He always said he looked forward to the day he could run in heaven.
Hi Jcp,
I agree. Fiction that deals with real life struggles gives us something to think about as well as entertaining us.
Hi Angeline,
Thanks so much.
Hi Natalya,
Thank you. The song certainly spoke to me after coming home from the funeral.
Hi, I am so sorry for your loss. Your photo you shared is beautiful, thank you for sharing it. I am very happy that you got to spend time with your siblings , I know how hard it is to have all siblings together at one time. I have 5 siblings, and the last time we got together was in 2019 when our mom passed away, and I think the last time we were all together was in 2005 when our dad passed away. Unfortunately we did not take any pictures of the 6 of us together either time. God willing one of these days we will take a pic of the 6 of us together. Yes, I like to read stories that are true to life , I think stories that have characters coping with grief are very helpful . Have a great week and stay safe.
In life, we all lose someone we love. It is good to be able to read about others who have lost love ones. Even though I know other’s have lost love ones, it is comforting to read the about the feelings of others. Thank you for sharing. God bless you.
I love stories that are very emotional & that have characters deal with real-life situations. It connects me to them, making me cheer, laugh, or cry right along with them. And yes, it does help me to deal with my own real-life issues. I can’t tell you how many times a characters way of handling the hard stuff in life has helped me through. I call it as God reminding me through the author of His help, promises, and that He’s always there no matter what gets thrown at me!
There’s a hope in knowing that the believers who’ve gone on before me I’ll be able to see again. That’s a promise from God that I can take to the bank!
No need to enter me in the drawing Merrillee as I’ve already read & reviewed the book for you a while back. God bless you!
Hi Alicia,
Thanks. I’m sure it is even harder to get 6 siblings together at one time.
Hi Debra,
I’m encouraged to know that a book with real-life characters, although fiction, can still give comfort.
Hi Trixi,
So true that we can count on God’s promises.
I think it can be good just not when a person is at that stage. Like When mum was dying and just passed away I had to put down a couple of books due to dealing with someone dying. I also found a few months later I kept finding books that dealt with a mothers death. One was a small child and saying he couldn’t remember his mothers voice. I was reading in a public place which was a mistake cos it made me cry due to the exact reason. I do feel it can be helpful in different cases.
Yes, I do benefit from stories showing how characters work through their grief. Even if what is shown is something that I have already experienced in my own grieving. It reinforces the good path that we all must take in grief. If we don’t take that path, we become trapped in pain, anger and depression. Not a good place to be.
That good path also includes the understanding that loss involves pain. It is good to have the pain soothed but not to have it trivialized.
It is so good to see the joy in the beautiful picture of your family. Thank you for sharing.
I think books that deal with loss or other difficult subjects help us to have empathy and to see other situations differently than we did before. I’ve read a few books that have challenged me and have come away with a better understanding of why certain people I disagree with believe the way they do.
It seems as years pass, the only time I see some family members or friends is at funerals. It’s always good to see them and we always say we’ll get together, but then life happens. I’m glad you got some family time even if it was for a sad occasion.