Grief. We all know the implications when that single word is spoken. There’s been a loss. Someone has lost someone special to eternity. It could be a spouse, parent, friend, extended family, son or daughter. None of these losses are easy.
Today is Memorial Day. It’s the day of remembering lost sons and daughters through a sacrifice given to our country. It was through the efforts over the centuries, since this country was formed, that men and women have given their lives so that we could spend our days in whatever way we choose. We have the right to choose our partners, live where we like, and most importantly have the right to worship wherever and whenever we want!
Loss is hard. We recently just had a tragedy in Texas that has once again rocked our world. Small children lost their lives in the most un-sensible way. Parents, brothers, sisters, friends, aunts, and uncles and other family members are grieving the loss of these innocent little people.
Someone once made an observation I hadn’t ever thought about. When a husband loses his wife, he’s a widower. A woman who loses her husband is a widow. A child who loses a parent is now an orphan. But what is parent called who loses a child? To my knowledge there isn’t a ‘standard’ word which identifies them.
I ‘googled’ the question and there were plenty of options about there not being an identifiable word in our language. But apparently there is a word: coined/created by Duke Professor Karla Holloway. “Vilomah”. Its Sanskrit and means "against a natural order.” It provides an identifier where there was none. https://dying.lovetoknow.com/ideas-advice-coping-grief/vilomah-meaning-origin-powerful-word
What’s incredible, is to think about these children now being in eternity with Jesus. God knows about the wonder of these lives, and there is some consolation in knowing one day there will be a reuniting, assuming that Mom and Dad know Jesus as their personal Savior.
It’s also wonderful to know for every person who has given his/her life as a sacrifice for our country, one day, as a Believer, will also encounter a grand reunion in heaven with their loved ones day.
But for now we need to remember. It’s important that while we ‘celebrate’ those who have gone before, with family gatherings and picnics, the most thing is remembering the sacrifice they gave. We need to recall the important ways they changed and/or impacted our lives. When we stop and reflect on these gifts of dedication, bravery, honor and belief in doing ‘the right thing’, we can appreciate them just a little bit more!
We also need to remember the sacrifice Jesus gave when He gave his life for us. Freedom is not free. Our military marches to the front lines whenever they are called upon. Jesus was called to the front line when God the Father wanted him to be the sacrifice for the whole entire world! He was the Perfect Lamb. In this way God understands loss as a Father. And we can be assured of God’s faithfulness to meeting our needs, as we grieve....and remember.
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