Revelation 21:4 – He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away. (NIV)

My mom passed away two years ago this July. We had seen her rally in the day prior to her passing. In my heart, I knew that this was a gift to be cherished. As we chatted with the nurse and my mom shared stories about my growing up, we had lots of laughs. This rally was short-lived, and less than 23 hours later, we watched her take her last breath. We prayed and listened to worship music in those final minutes.

Nothing — and I mean nothing — could have prepared me for the next steps. A nurse came in after a short time and handed me a bunch of leaflets on grief. She said, "Take as much time as you need," and then, she left. As we walked out of the Intensive Care Unit, in that moment, it became evident to me that all around me, life was going on. No one said a word as we left; they just went on about their work. I can still hear the words that I said to my husband as I clutched the papers that I had been given: "I came here with my mom and I'm leaving with a handful of papers and not my mom. It's not fair."

The next days and weeks were filled with all of the necessary tasks after someone passes: the cards, the condolences, and all that one expects to move through.

A friend recently posted something by an unknown author that really resonated with me: Grief is like living two lives. One is where you feel and pretend that everything is all right, and the other is where your heart silently screams in pain.

I know that what I am experiencing is similar to that of anyone else, as grief finds us all. It catches us in the memories during the first special occasions in that first year, a certain smell, or a word from someone.

I know that my heart has been changed for the better through this journey. Awareness of my own grief has given me insight into the grief that others are experiencing. Although everyone processes grief differently, I now realize that coming alongside the grief of others is important, for that is where we can shine the love of Jesus into other people's lives.

Romans 12:15 – Rejoice with those who rejoice; mourn with those who mourn. (NIV)

Prayer: Dear Jesus, thank You for the hope that we have in You. Help us to reach out to others in times of grief. Thank You that You comfort us in our time of need, even when it seems that You are so far away. In Your name, we pray, Amen.