Where to draw strength and comfort?
It is a clear day today in Hong Kong, rare this time of year, which helps my mood a little. Xuejiao and I went to the church service yesterday which started with a comforting song. Before he started the teaching, Pastor Ye came to shake my hand, surprisingly, just mine. I knew why later when he preached Philippians 4: 6-7 "Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus". This is JUST for me. What a gracious blessing and gesture by Mr. Ye and the Church! Comforting and heart-warming. Later, Xuejiao sent the script of the song. Another friendly and considerate gesture we don't often see in our normal lives. I read a book that says counting the sources of comforts in grief and thanks God for them --friends and family, counselors, DS people, grief book authors, tears, hope, time, and of course, prayers.
Replies
Thanks for sharing and for the gentle reminder to be grateful throughout this grief process. Peace be with you . . . Dayna
I am glad that you have a supportive and meaningful spiritual community. Your pastor sounds like a very nice, and wise, man.
When Jews mourn, we say a special version of a prayer called Kaddish. It\'s a very ancient prayer, in Aramaic, not Hebrew. We say the everyday version of the Kaddish in our worship. It\'s not about morning, it affirms the greatness of God, and also specifically prays for personal peace, and peace for all. We find it comforting, in our time of mourning, to strengthen our connection with God and ask for peace. During services, mourners recite the Kaddish together, and the communal activity helps us feel less alone.
Two months after my wife died, my best friend died. He had no family except an 86 y.o. aunt, so I acted like next-of-kin. He was Catholic, but we had many long conversations about spirituality and he knew a lot about Judaism. I bought a rosary made with roses that was buried on top of his coffin, that was one of his final wishes. Also at the grave site I said Kaddish, because I knew he would have appreciated it, before the Catholic rites.
Keep remembering that you are not alone now, you will get through.
Decibel, Thanks for sharing the knowledge. I have a friend who is Catholic, who brought many comforting prayers to pray at night in my home after my wife\'s passing. I really appreciate that
The Scriptures, are food for me. They guide my life. Thank God for His Word.
Thanks again Tiger for This food for thought. What a blessing to have a thoughtful Church family.
May The Lord give you Peace, Hope and Joy.
Your friend....Sandra