Standing in the Pain

Remembering Carl can be bittersweet. Even after three months, the thought of him causes my heart to sink and a sadness to sweep over me. So why is it that even though it hurts, I don’t want to forget our four legged family member?

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My husband just recently had a picture of our friend placed into an acrylic cube for us to have as a way to remember him. The picture was taken when we were traveling and Carl was perched on the side of our truck. Even though we were going through a tough time with the sickness of a family member, that moment will always be considered special to us.

God never intended us to experience death when He created us. Genesis 3:2-3 states, “The woman said to the serpent, “We may eat fruit from the trees in the garden, but God did say, ‘You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.’”

Once Adam and Eve ate the apple, death came into the world. And now we have to figure out how to best get through the pain of loss. So often, we want to question God or turn our back on Him when the suffering becomes too unbearable.

Martha and Mary were also suffering for the loss of their brother. They could have become bitter and pushed Jesus away when he arrived after their brother died. Both women were in immense pain but somehow even then, they approached Jesus.

And this is where the shortest and one of the most profound verses in the Bible is placed. (John 11:35) ”Jesus wept.” No words. Just a heart wrenching emotion of love for these two women that were hurting. Jesus wants to weep alongside all of us as we go through the excruciating pain of loss. No judgement, no words, just heartfelt empathy.

So as much as I want to put away the pictures and avoid the pain, I believe facing it will help me to remember my savior standing in the pain providing me a peace that can only come from Him.