So I lost my mom a few weeks ago. Hardest thing I've ever had to go through. If I have to hear one more time, from one more person, about how it was her time, how God took her, how her days were predestined and it was just her time to go, I think I'm going to smack dab punch them right dead square in the face.
That is all.
I'm a Calvinist. Would NEVER say that.
Have never...
#1) One of my favorite verses John 11:35 "Jesus wept." He was about to raise Lazarus to life, and knew He was going to do it. The women believed he would be raised by God. Yet, "Jesus wept." He was deeply moved by the hurt and love of those missing Lazarus. It is a lesson to us, not to gloss over another's pain as well as an incredible and very meaningful glimpse of the passion of our Lord Jesus Christ and what moves Him. I pray you find comfort and compassion in our Lord Jesus Christ.
#2) Another verse that has spoken to me deeply, during departures:
Act 20:36 And when he had said these things, he knelt down and prayed with them all.
Act 20:37 And there was much weeping on the part of all; they embraced Paul and kissed him,
Act 20:38 being sorrowful most of all because of the word he had spoken, that they would not see his face again. And they accompanied him to the ship.
There is every indication that the most Godly, hurt the most deeply and so I pray His blessings and comfort as you rightly grieve her passing.
#3) Romans 12:15 reminds me to be empathetic, but more so, to mourn with those who mourn. Poly, you have my deepest sympathies, and I may not always cry, but having lost my step-father, I do empathize with your pain and loss. My step-father, when I was 16 asked me not to share the gospel of God's grace and mercy, through Jesus Christ our Lord, again with him. I prayed for 30 years, unable to share Christ with my father. Four years before his death, my father received the Lord Jesus Christ's grace and mercy. I pray encouragement and love for you, comfort and understanding for those who are inept, but perhaps mean well, and that your memories will be filled with the love of friends and strangers who were able to bring you some comfort and tenderness, and I pray my own words and concerns and empathies are as a healing balm, by the grace and mercies of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.
In our Christ, In love, -Lon