A Time to Grieve, A Time to Dance
Today’s post is based on chapter 7 of my latest book, Newness of Life, recently released on Amazon. Get your copy now, and be sure to enter the giveaway below for a free copy!
Yesterday I read a post on Jennifer Dukes Lee’s blog about grief, penned by Cheri Gregory. Cheri wrote so beautifully about grief, I want to include an excerpt here. Head over to Jennifer’s blog to enter a book giveaway this week only!
How Grief Ushers in Gratitude
For much of last year, guilt kept me focused on everything lacking from my relationship with my mother—all that I so desperately wanted but never got from her.
One day, while talking to a friend, I off-handedly described my malfunctioning cell phone as “invented by the devil to make Christians swear!”
Then, I began to simultaneously cry and giggle.
I hadn’t heard that expression in years, not since well before Mother’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis. Hearing myself speak her familiar words caused me deep pain yet gave me untold comfort.
I began to notice dozens of little ways in which I’m a lot like Mother:
– The way I “clean as I go” when cooking.
– The way I purse my lips when I’m annoyed.
– The set of my jaw when I’m determined.
– How much my hands look like hers.
– How fast she taught me to walk.
With each new memory come three distinct gifts:
Permission. As I give myself permission to finally grieve—to cry, to wish for what I’d never had, and to miss my mother—guilt loosens its grip.
Compassion. As my guilt subsides, my compassion toward my mother grows. She did the best she knew how to do in the face of myriad difficulties I’ve never known.
Appreciation. Remembrances of my mother are coming back sweeter and sweeter, because I’m intentionally looking for what I can be grateful for in each one.
Over and over again, in a healing cycle:
Permission.
Compassion.
Appreciation.
My overwhelming grief transformed, by God’s grace, into overflowing gratitude.
Wasn’t that a beautiful reflection by Cheri? Please leave a comment below and I’ll forward them to her!
Now, a special treat about dancing…a memoir poem from my childhood.
Codfish Ball, age 4
Mommy takes me to tap lessons.
I love the click-click sound
of my shiny black shoes
on the wood floor.
We practice and practice
our song and dance
for the Codfish Ball.
My teacher says
we get to perform
for our mommies and daddies.
We get sparkly green leotards
so we look like fish.
Mommy even lets me
wear blush and lipstick.
I smile big for the picture.
When we get to the show
we wait behind a curtain.
I got a peek of what’s out there—
lots of dark faces
and a very bright light.
Suddenly I feel tears.
I don’t want to go!
I don’t want to dance and sing
in front of everyone.
But I practiced so hard
and Mommy wants to see me.
Teacher sees me crying
and sends for Mommy.
I don’t want to cry
but I can’t help it.
Mommy asks, if I go
right behind Teacher
would it be okay?
I will try.
Mommy wipes my tears away
and fixes my blush.
It’s time to go!
The light is so bright
and the faces are so dark
but Teacher is right beside me
and I go first
with all the other girls following me.
I pretend I don’t see anyone
and I just sparkle and dance.
Questions for reflection: (please comment below)
What blessings have you unexpectedly received in a season of grief?
How can you praise God today by simply sparkling and dancing?
Here are links to free resources that will help you in the online Bible study or personal study of Newness of Life:
Online Bible Study Reading Plan
Giveaways
Giveaways will be announced on Fridays. If you comment in my online Bible study throughout this study, you’ll be entered to win prizes on Jan. 20 and Jan. 27. All comments will be entered to win the grand prize on Feb. 3.
This week’s winner will receive a copy of Jen Wilkin’s book None Like Him and a magnet set of these beauties:
Enter this special giveaway to receive a free download of Newness of Life!
My new book Newness of Life will help you apply Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 so you can understand God’s plan in your current season.
“There is a time for everything,
and a season for every activity under the heavens.” Ecclesiastes 3:1 NIV
No matter what season you are in, God is teaching you valuable lessons to grow your faith and trust in Him. We will discover what God is saying through the different times and activities we traverse.
I look forward to hearing how God is working in your current life season. I hope you will join in the fun and discussion on the online Bible study.
Please vote 17 on this link: Click HERE! so I can make my publishing dream come true. God set me free from my fear of abandonment, and I want the world to know!
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