Wow, friend:

When Misty Doyle's father was diagnosed with cancer, she began grieving immediately—but felt confused about whether she was "doing it right." Seven years later, when he died, she discovered something profound: everyone in her family grieved differently, and none of them were wrong. Then came an unexpected twist: her twin son Jack's autism diagnosis taught her that grief isn't only for the dead. You can grieve someone who's still living, and that's okay too.

In this moving episode, Misty shares her journey of writing Grief is More Than Gray, an "un-manual" for grief that gives people permission to grieve in their own way, on their own timeline. Through the biblical story of the road to Emmaus, Misty reveals how Jesus gave His followers permission to grieve—walking alongside them, listening to their disappointment, never rushing them to "get over it."

In This Episode:

Key Themes: Grief without timeline, grieving the living, autism parent grief, childhood cancer death, no stages of grief, Luke 24 road to Emmaus, permission to grieve, cultural expectations of grief, grieving differently, anger at God, disappointed faith, childlike prayer power, school community prayer, Isaiah 53 suffering, Mary's grief, anxious grief, navigating loss, hole in living room analogy, Jesus walks alongside grief

Whether you're grieving a death, an autism diagnosis, infertility, a prodigal child, a parent with dementia, or dreams that died, this episode offers profound permission: there's no "right way" to grieve. God gives you permission to feel what you feel, for as long as you need. He's not rushing you to the next stage—He's walking right beside you through every valley.

Content Note: This episode discusses cancer death, hospice care, childhood grief, autism diagnosis, speech delays, developmental disabilities, anger at God, and the long journey of grief with honesty and hope.

May you find God’s hand in the midst of your own grief today, my friend.

Always, Anna

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