SHOW NOTES

Last episode I shared the changes coming for Grief 2 Great Day to make sure you have a single place to call home in your grief journey. 

And this week, we’ll touch on change. How uncomfortable it can be and how few of us enjoy change. What we don’t care about in grief is that with great change comes great growth if we’ll allow it to change us.

The changes coming for Grief 2 Great Day include taking the Grief 2 Great Day podcast from public to private.

Please listen to make sure you are able to continue listening to the podcast and have access to all the resources.

WORD of the Week   “The name of the Lord is a strong tower: the righteous run to it and are safe.”  Proverbs 18:10

Song of the Week  Naomi Raine - Sing Hallelujah feat. Natalie Grant

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SHOW NOTES

While I walked through my life-changing grief, I didn’t think I was going to make it. I was indignant and angry with God and at times, doubted He cared about me. I felt like I would never be able to breathe, laugh or live again.

God used my anger to keep me connected to Him and brought true healing to my heart. He showed me – actually – He shocked me with real joy and peace and gave me a calling I never expected. That’s how Grief 2 Great Day was born.

I’m here to share that good news, that confident hope that life will get better, that there will be beauty from your ashes.  And one of the most helpful things is having others who understand that kind of pain, a framily, a community where you can go and feel comforted and encouraged.

This week I’m sharing the changes coming for Grief 2 Great Day to make sure you have such a place to call home.  Please listen to make sure you are able to continue listening to the podcast and have access to all the resources.

WORD of the Week     Yes, my soul, find rest in God; my hope comes from him. Truly he is my rock and my salvation; he is my fortress; I will not be shaken. My salvation and my honor depend on God; he is my mighty rock, my refuge (Psalm 62:5-7). 

Song of the Week   For My Good & I Will Be Alright, Calvin Nowell

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SHOW NOTES

This week we’re going to talk about living after loss. That statement sounds non emotional and 'do-able'…until you are the one experiencing the loss – the life-changing loss of someone you dearly loved – someone who was an intricate part of your daily life. 

We all understand anger, questions and pain associated with loss, but along with those emotions comes an overwhelming lack of desire to live life fully.  Living daily life is hard enough, but to desire a life that is beyond survival is unfathomable in the beginning of grief.

This week we’re going to talk about wanting to live life after a life-altering loss, as this is the first step to living a joyful and meaningful life.

WORD of the Week     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.   2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Song of the Week  Cry Out to Jesus by Third Day

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Join The Grief Group for Christian Women on Facebook

Read about Monica’s entire Journey, Dying to Be Healed - Book - Grief2GreatDay

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SHOW NOTES

As Grief 2 Great Day begins to shift from being a public podcast to moving to a private community, I’ve had questions about what that means, when that will happen and how it will affect you.

So today, I want to share what’s happened over the past three years, share the vision of Grief 2 Great Day again and invite you to be a part of this exciting shift!

If you have questions that haven’t been addressed in this episode, please head to the Grief Group for Christian Women (private Facebook group) and pop them in there! 

I thank God for giving me this calling and I thank you for being a part of the last three years! 😊

WORD of the Week   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.   2 Corinthians 1:3-4

Song of the Week  Cry Out to Jesus by Third Day

Grief 2 Great Day Website - Connect with Me

Join The Grief Group for Christian Women on Facebook

Read about Monica’s entire Journey, Dying to Be Healed - Book - Grief2GreatDay

Visit my Church –Opendoor Church | Home           

SHOW NOTES

Today we have a special guest, Kristina Smith who became caretaker for her father before walking through the painful grief of his death.  She journaled her grief walk and from this journal a devotional book was born.

This episode is quite a bit longer than usual, but it will be worth your time to hear Kristina’s love for the Lord. 

To connect with Kristina

WORD of the Week    Isaiah 43:1-2 

“But now, this is what the Lord says- he who created you, Jacob, he who formed you, Israel: “Do not fear, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. “When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord your god, the Holy One of Israel. Your Savior. 

Songs of the Week  Flowers by Samantha Ebert  & Firm Foundation (feat. Cody Carnes) // The Belonging Co

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SHOW NOTES

If you think gutting it through grief or falling in a hole during grief will make the pain stop or result in better days, you need to listen to this episode.

Our expectations of the grief process are based on emotional expectations or the pressure of what our faith should do in our journey.  Grief is really not a topic people want to talk about, so there are so many things we don’t know as we travel this difficult road.

What about your brain?  Remember that commercial about – this is your brain and then they showed a frying pan and said, this is your brain on drugs?  Well, grief also physically affects your brain.  Today we’ll talk about how it affects your brain which will give you a little relief and hopefully increase the grace you give yourself in grief.

WORD of the Week   Hear God's word and cling to it!  Luke 8:15 

Song of the Week  Unspoken - God Help Me 

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Click Here to take Action Now - “What to Do After the Loss of a Loved One” Workshop

Join The Grief Group for Christian Women on Facebook

Read about Monica’s entire Journey, Dying to Be Healed - Book - Grief2GreatDay

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SHOW NOTES

Nights are the worst when your mind won’t stop racing.  Your thoughts which were once your own seem to take you over.  It’s not just thoughts at that point, it’s anxiety and fear and the darkness of night amplifies those feelings.

You’ve tried a million times to turn it off – to shut the loop down but nothing seems to work.  You might have even tried meditating on the scripture (for a couple of days) and still nothing.

Today, I’ll share why what you’re wanting (the racing thoughts to stop and for sleep to come or getting through the day better or building a relationship with God) seems to elude you in grief.  And, more importantly, I’ll talk about how to turn that ship around and point it toward progress.

WORD of the week    Be Still and Know that I am God. Psalm 46:10

Song of the Week  Be Still by Hillsong Worship

Grief 2 Great Day Website - Connect with Me

Click Here to take Action Now - “What to Do After the Loss of a Loved One” Workshop

Join The Grief Group for Christian Women on Facebook

Read about Monica’s entire Journey, Dying to Be Healed - Book - Grief2GreatDay

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SHOW NOTES

One of the scariest things for me when I was going through grief was getting stuck.  Initially I didn’t know what to do to get through in a healthy way, so I did a lot of the wrong things.  I knew that life would never be the same, but I feared that I would never have a life again.

I can tell you there are helpful and healing things you can do – a lot of which I’ve talked about in previous episodes.  But there are also things that can help keep you stuck.

Today, I’m going to share 3 things you may be doing that will keep you from healing.  Listen to see if you are doing any of them and if you are, how to change that!

This episode is a replay from the top4 most downloaded in 2024.  I introduce Coffee & Kathy Weekly Devotionals on Grief 2 Great Day. Replays from last year are available on your podcast app.

WORD of the Week   But those who trust in the LORD will find new strength. They will soar high on wings like eagles. They will run and not grow weary. They will walk and not faint." Is 40:31.

Song of the Week  Gonna Be Alright by Ryan Ellis

Grief 2 Great Day Website - Connect with Me

Click Here to take Action Now - “The First Year of Grief. How to Survive with Hope and Heal.”

Join The Grief Group for Christian Women on Facebook

Read about Monica’s entire Journey, Dying to Be Healed - Book - Grief2GreatDay

Visit my Church –Opendoor Church | Home  

SHOW NOTES

How do I get relief from this endless pain?  How do I stop being angry or asking why or trying to do the million things that seem impossible? 

Grief is like that movie ‘Groundhog Day’ – the same thing day after day after day. It seems like there’s only changes for the worse and that kind of routine starts to wear on you after a while. It also erodes your hope for a future that is different – never mind a happy future.

There are three things that will help you when you feel like all ya got is grief, that life can’t get better, and that God has forgotten you.  These things will relieve some of the expectation pressure, help you in your interactions with God and serve as a reminder that tomorrow can and will be different!

This episode is a replay from the top4 most downloaded in 2024.  I introduce Coffee & Kathy Weekly Devotionals on Grief 2 Great Day. Replays from last year are available on your podcast app.

WORD of the Week   And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.  John 16:22

Song of the Week    Never Ever Give Up by Matthew West

Grief 2 Great Day Website - Connect with Me

Click Here to take Action Now - “The First Year of Grief. How to Survive with Hope and Heal.”

Join The Grief Group for Christian Women on Facebook

Read about Monica’s entire Journey, Dying to Be Healed - Book - Grief2GreatDay

Visit my Church –Opendoor Church | Home  

SHOW NOTES - Replay from 2022

A new year but the same pain is another frustrating fact of grief.  It reinforces that it’ll NEVER be over.  But I’m here to tell you that while the second year isn’t the end of grief (and that tidbit may help free you), there are changes to expect.

If this is in fact a second year for you or if it’s the second month, it’s important for you to listen today to know what to expect in your second year of grief.  This is not all flowers and rainbows, but it should give you hope!

WORD of the Week   Isaiah 43:18-19 

Remember not the former things, nor consider the things of old. Behold, I am doing a new thing; now it springs forth, do you not perceive it? I will make a way in the wilderness and rivers in the desert.

Song of the Week

You Know My Name by Tash Cobbs Leonard - https://youtu.be/t7owFiihXgg

Grief 2 Great Day Website - Connect with Me 

Click Here to take Action Now - “The First Year of Grief. How to Survive with Hope and Heal.”

Join The Grief Group for Christian Women on Facebook

Read about Monica’s entire Journey, Dying to Be Healed - Book - Grief2GreatDay

Visit my Church –Opendoor Church | Home