Grief and Grace

By Caleb Herman

Grief and Grace

Grief starts in your stomach, a gut-wrenching weight that seems to pull you closer to the ground with every step, gradually spreading to every part of your body until all that’s left is an incredible, heavy numbness.

In an instant it changes dreams of the future into reflections on the past. All of the planning, the time spent dreaming are turned into could-have-beens, memories that will never be. Every smile, every touch, every laugh becomes a memory to cherish, to hold onto fiercely and never let go.

Then the guilt sets in. All the missed opportunities, the texts that were never sent, the words that could have been said, the moments that were never shared. It threatens to overpower and overwhelm, an onslaught of “what if’s” and “if only’s”.

But grace begins in the heart, a warmth of remembrance and freedom. It fills you with a longing for an eternal home, a place where hurt and brokenness are no more.

Every memory is now blessing, a moment shared with the ones we loved. The pain is a reminder that we loved deeply, the emptiness a sign of an authentic relationship.

Grace is having the privilege of knowing someone who cared so deeply, felt so fully, and loved so deeply. It is a genuine celebration of a life that was lived for others with abundant joy.

Grief is tears amidst the ache of loss. Grace is peace that flows from Heaven.

Grief is hurt. Grace is healing.

Grief is temporary. Grace is eternal.

Grief is great, but God’s grace is greater.