May we take this special time to reflect on the many losses that took place on September 11, 2001 and the way so many have risen from the ashes to a place of hope.
This has been a six-year journey, and will continue to be a journey for thousands upon thousands of people who lost loved ones on that tragic day in history. Life has gone on, but it will never be the same. As individuals we have been made aware of the way tragedy and death can strike when we least expect it. We also are made aware that people truly do care, and when hearts are bound together by compassion the flame of hope is ignited and gives us the strength to go on.
Many, many lives have been lost since that dark day in September. There may not have been headlines in the news, and reporters probably were not knocking at the homes of those who experienced loss in anticipation of “getting a story.” Instead, many have endured the pain and hardship of loss quietly, and often feeling very alone.
May we never, ever forget that we have a heavenly Father who watches over us day and night. He never leaves us alone. He is always there, calling out to us to come to Him so that we can be embraced in the shelter of His arms. We are told that we have angels watching over us, and that is such a comfort during our times of pain. We have wondrous signs of God’s love all about us as we look at the expanse of the heavens and see first-hand the care He gives to the tiniest of creatures.
May we always feel the closeness of God. May we rest in the arms of our loving Father and allow Him to carry us when we feel too weak to go on. Hope is alive! God is good, and He truly cares! God is waiting in the depths of my being to speak to me if only I will be still enough to hear His loving, tender voice! --Clara Hinton
“I am never alone because God abides in me.” --Clara Hinton
“Be still, and know that I am God.” --Psalm 46:10
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Monday, August 20, 2007
Facing the Future with Hope
When loss comes into our lives, dreams are snatched away and we are left wondering how to face the future. We feel like we’ve been thrown into a deep, dark hole with no way out. Loneliness becomes our only companion, and we lose all interest in the daily routine of life. The very things that used to occupy our time and bring us pleasure no longer have any significance at all.
Grieving is hard work, and it takes lots of time to travel our journey of grief. There is no road map to follow, so we don’t know when the next bend or twist in the road is coming. We can’t tell where there are steep hills or flat terrain. When we seem to be traveling along okay, suddenly we find that we’ve hit a mountain that seems almost like it’s impossible to climb. Grief is new, unexplored territory.
There is some amazing about our grief journey, though. It’s hard to explain; yet it happens all of the time. A rainbow appears out of nowhere and gives us hope. A butterfly lights upon our windowsill and we find ourselves smiling. A meal appears on our table from a neighbor and we suddenly feel less alone. An invitation to dinner comes and we feel loved. The telephone rings and we have a much needed listening ear.
God never allows us to travel this journey of grief alone. He sees to it that we have help all along the way. He gives us rest when we are weary, and hope when we feel lost. Just knowing that we have this added inner strength keeps us going until one day we find that we are no longer in that lonely hole, but we are sitting among the flowers and we can once again see beauty in life! --Clara Hinton
“Hope is the friendly, unexpected voice pulling us back to a warmer world.” --Clara Hinton
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” --Psalm 23:1
Grieving is hard work, and it takes lots of time to travel our journey of grief. There is no road map to follow, so we don’t know when the next bend or twist in the road is coming. We can’t tell where there are steep hills or flat terrain. When we seem to be traveling along okay, suddenly we find that we’ve hit a mountain that seems almost like it’s impossible to climb. Grief is new, unexplored territory.
There is some amazing about our grief journey, though. It’s hard to explain; yet it happens all of the time. A rainbow appears out of nowhere and gives us hope. A butterfly lights upon our windowsill and we find ourselves smiling. A meal appears on our table from a neighbor and we suddenly feel less alone. An invitation to dinner comes and we feel loved. The telephone rings and we have a much needed listening ear.
God never allows us to travel this journey of grief alone. He sees to it that we have help all along the way. He gives us rest when we are weary, and hope when we feel lost. Just knowing that we have this added inner strength keeps us going until one day we find that we are no longer in that lonely hole, but we are sitting among the flowers and we can once again see beauty in life! --Clara Hinton
“Hope is the friendly, unexpected voice pulling us back to a warmer world.” --Clara Hinton
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” --Psalm 23:1
Monday, August 6, 2007
Grief Makes Us Feel So Alone
Grief is such a universal experience, yet when it happens to us we feel so alone. Even when members of a family share the very same loss, each person feels the loss at a different level, and in a very personal way.
Our grief may be in common, but it is private as well. Our grief is our pain, and nobody experiences it in just the same way. It helps to remember that when we’re walking down the pathway of grief we are never alone even though it often feels that way.
There will be a time when we find solace and hope, but it will be different for everyone. Nobody experiences our loss the same, and nobody finds hope and comfort at the same time or in the same way.
What helps, though, is to remember that our day of peace will arrive, and when it does, it will be like having a big weight lifted off of our heart, and a new song placed in our heart for us to enjoy. No, we’ll never feel the same after a loss, but we will find relief, peace, and comfort. Hope will place a smile upon our heart as we continue on this journey we call life.
Hope allows us to look at today and enjoy the beauty of it, without worrying about the future. Hope gives us the strength for one day at a time, and slowly we find that the future has arrived and we are living it with a new strength and renewed sense of life that we didn’t have before. Hope gives us a reason to go on! --Clara Hinton
“It is comforting to know that God always provides hope as a companion to pain.” --Clara Hinton
“Faith is being…..certain of what we do not see.” Heb. 11:1
Our grief may be in common, but it is private as well. Our grief is our pain, and nobody experiences it in just the same way. It helps to remember that when we’re walking down the pathway of grief we are never alone even though it often feels that way.
There will be a time when we find solace and hope, but it will be different for everyone. Nobody experiences our loss the same, and nobody finds hope and comfort at the same time or in the same way.
What helps, though, is to remember that our day of peace will arrive, and when it does, it will be like having a big weight lifted off of our heart, and a new song placed in our heart for us to enjoy. No, we’ll never feel the same after a loss, but we will find relief, peace, and comfort. Hope will place a smile upon our heart as we continue on this journey we call life.
Hope allows us to look at today and enjoy the beauty of it, without worrying about the future. Hope gives us the strength for one day at a time, and slowly we find that the future has arrived and we are living it with a new strength and renewed sense of life that we didn’t have before. Hope gives us a reason to go on! --Clara Hinton
“It is comforting to know that God always provides hope as a companion to pain.” --Clara Hinton
“Faith is being…..certain of what we do not see.” Heb. 11:1
Monday, July 2, 2007
Grief is an Emotional Roller Coaster
Sometimes the emotional roller coaster that we feel with grief seems like it’s never going to end. One day we’re okay, then two days later we’re immobilized with the ache in our heart caused from loss. There’s no real explanation, but we know what we’re feeling is powerful and real and all we want to do is escape to a place that feels good again.
It helps to remember that our emotions are like waves. They wash over us, and each time a bit more of our sorrow is removed, washed away, and sent out to sea. The emotions keep returning – coming and going – until one day we find that these painful feelings have weakened. They no longer overcome us and leave us feeling like we are totally out of control.
When we feel like the deep sea of grief is never going to calm, remember that each wave is a necessary part of the process. Each wave is, in fact, working to help bring some healing.
We cannot avoid the pain that comes with grief, but we can understand it better, and when we do we realize that this pain will not last forever. Joy will eventually enter the center of our heart until one day we will be able to smile once again! -- Clara Hinton
“When the sea of grief washes over me, I am being bathed in new hope for the journey ahead.” -- Clara Hinton
“I will turn all my mountains into roads.” Isaiah 49:11
It helps to remember that our emotions are like waves. They wash over us, and each time a bit more of our sorrow is removed, washed away, and sent out to sea. The emotions keep returning – coming and going – until one day we find that these painful feelings have weakened. They no longer overcome us and leave us feeling like we are totally out of control.
When we feel like the deep sea of grief is never going to calm, remember that each wave is a necessary part of the process. Each wave is, in fact, working to help bring some healing.
We cannot avoid the pain that comes with grief, but we can understand it better, and when we do we realize that this pain will not last forever. Joy will eventually enter the center of our heart until one day we will be able to smile once again! -- Clara Hinton
“When the sea of grief washes over me, I am being bathed in new hope for the journey ahead.” -- Clara Hinton
“I will turn all my mountains into roads.” Isaiah 49:11
Monday, April 30, 2007
Spring is a Season of Hope
When your heart feels heavy from the burden of grief, it is good to seek out reminders that the gift of hope is alive within us. One of the best reminders of hope is the season of spring.
When you are weary from grief, take a rest outside by a babbling brook, or sit for a while under the starry sky. Spend a few moments watching the butterflies at play as they flit to and fro enjoying the gifts of nature. Listen to the sounds of the birds in the far off distance singing their songs of cheer as they glide through the early morning sky.
Take a close look at the blade of grass as it is pushing its way through the soil and be reminded that following every winter there is a spring. With spring comes the freshness of a new season. There are colorful bursts of flowers, sunrises that will take your breath away, and magical moments of serenity that will fill your soul with peace that can only come from our heavenly Father.
Grief continually presents us with all kinds of reasons to be lonely and afraid. But spring presents us with gifts of hope to carry us through our pain and fear. Embrace every moment of springtime and be filled with hope! -Clara Hinton
“Springtime erases all doubts that God is near and has not left me alone in my grief and fear.” --Clara Hinton
“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” -Psalm 19:1
When you are weary from grief, take a rest outside by a babbling brook, or sit for a while under the starry sky. Spend a few moments watching the butterflies at play as they flit to and fro enjoying the gifts of nature. Listen to the sounds of the birds in the far off distance singing their songs of cheer as they glide through the early morning sky.
Take a close look at the blade of grass as it is pushing its way through the soil and be reminded that following every winter there is a spring. With spring comes the freshness of a new season. There are colorful bursts of flowers, sunrises that will take your breath away, and magical moments of serenity that will fill your soul with peace that can only come from our heavenly Father.
Grief continually presents us with all kinds of reasons to be lonely and afraid. But spring presents us with gifts of hope to carry us through our pain and fear. Embrace every moment of springtime and be filled with hope! -Clara Hinton
“Springtime erases all doubts that God is near and has not left me alone in my grief and fear.” --Clara Hinton
“The heavens are telling of the glory of God; and their expanse is declaring the work of His hands.” -Psalm 19:1
Sunday, April 22, 2007
Breaking Away from the Darkness
When our lives are suddenly hit by grief, we are thrown into a space of nothingness. It seems like the curtains have been drawn shut, and no light can get in. Our world is suddenly frightening, lonely, and full of darkness. We feel isolated, and we have no clue how to break out of this new place that is called grief.
There is really nothing one can say about grief except that it is a pain that hurts like nothing else. It is a feeling that makes everything around us seem out of synch and nothing seems right. Grief places demands on our emotional, physical, and spiritual energy to the point of exhaustion clear to the core of our soul. We are in need of help. We are in need of hope!
What can sustain us through long periods of grief? What helps us not to be totally crushed? Often we are not even aware of help when it comes to tenderly care for us. Hope arrives on the scene immediately and begins to lovingly give us reminders that we are not alone, and that we will make it through this pain and break free of darkness.
Along with special hugs and smiles from friends, God sends us His special reminders every day. He gives us the bright sunshine to warm our souls. He sends us the stars at night to guide us through the darkness. He gives us the babbling brook to remind us of His word that quenches our thirst. He gives us flowers that bloom to give our landscape of life a burst of majestic color. He gives us hope to take away our darkness! --Clara Hinton
“When God is in me, my darkness leaves.” --Clara Hinton
“The Lord is my light…..” Psalm 27:1 a
There is really nothing one can say about grief except that it is a pain that hurts like nothing else. It is a feeling that makes everything around us seem out of synch and nothing seems right. Grief places demands on our emotional, physical, and spiritual energy to the point of exhaustion clear to the core of our soul. We are in need of help. We are in need of hope!
What can sustain us through long periods of grief? What helps us not to be totally crushed? Often we are not even aware of help when it comes to tenderly care for us. Hope arrives on the scene immediately and begins to lovingly give us reminders that we are not alone, and that we will make it through this pain and break free of darkness.
Along with special hugs and smiles from friends, God sends us His special reminders every day. He gives us the bright sunshine to warm our souls. He sends us the stars at night to guide us through the darkness. He gives us the babbling brook to remind us of His word that quenches our thirst. He gives us flowers that bloom to give our landscape of life a burst of majestic color. He gives us hope to take away our darkness! --Clara Hinton
“When God is in me, my darkness leaves.” --Clara Hinton
“The Lord is my light…..” Psalm 27:1 a
Monday, April 9, 2007
Giving Thanks in All Things
Did you ever wonder why “giving thanks in all things” has been put in the bible? I’m sure that I’m not the only one who has struggled with that portion of Scripture. In fact, I know that I’m not the only one.
Most of us can be thankful when the tide is flowing in our direction, when the sun is shining upon our face, and when all good things are coming our way. But, when our lives are shattered, battered, and tattered, it’s another story. The words “thank you” don’t even come to mind, much less come from our lips. Yet……………we are told that it’s good and right for us to give thanks always.
When grief enters the door of our heart, we often speak a foreign language for a long time. We cry tears of pain and loneliness, and our hearts ache so bad that we cannot even think, let alone speak. The only utterances that come from us are groans of pain. The emptiness that we feel cannot be described. How can we give thanks?
I am convinced that God understands our hearts when they are full of grief, and He allows us to feel the pain, walk the journey, and come back to Him in order than we might once again say “thank you” for the blessings of life, for the miracles found in each day, and for the hope of heaven.
If you are struggling in your walk today, and cannot say “thank you”, don’t allow the additional burden of guilt to weigh you down. God knows you, He knows your heart, and He loves you. He will instill within you enough hope to carry you to a place of thankfulness in time. For today, rest in His arms, and allow His love to warm your broken heart, and feel His peace. –Clara Hinton
“Every day contains the gift of hope.” --C. Hinton
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1
Most of us can be thankful when the tide is flowing in our direction, when the sun is shining upon our face, and when all good things are coming our way. But, when our lives are shattered, battered, and tattered, it’s another story. The words “thank you” don’t even come to mind, much less come from our lips. Yet……………we are told that it’s good and right for us to give thanks always.
When grief enters the door of our heart, we often speak a foreign language for a long time. We cry tears of pain and loneliness, and our hearts ache so bad that we cannot even think, let alone speak. The only utterances that come from us are groans of pain. The emptiness that we feel cannot be described. How can we give thanks?
I am convinced that God understands our hearts when they are full of grief, and He allows us to feel the pain, walk the journey, and come back to Him in order than we might once again say “thank you” for the blessings of life, for the miracles found in each day, and for the hope of heaven.
If you are struggling in your walk today, and cannot say “thank you”, don’t allow the additional burden of guilt to weigh you down. God knows you, He knows your heart, and He loves you. He will instill within you enough hope to carry you to a place of thankfulness in time. For today, rest in His arms, and allow His love to warm your broken heart, and feel His peace. –Clara Hinton
“Every day contains the gift of hope.” --C. Hinton
“The Lord is my Shepherd, I shall not want.” Psalm 23:1
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