tears in a bottle
Lisa Linehan is on her way to the altar. She’s booked a wedding location, purchased a dress, and has even set the date. Unfortunately, she doesn’t have a groom, even though she has “been out with 70 different guys” to find one. Here’s a peek into her thinking: “I get so excited thinking about this wedding. And I still hold…
brothers and sisters
Julian and Adrian Riester were born in Buffalo, New York, in 1919. The identical twins lived their lives in sync—attending the same schools (where they enjoyed switching identities and fooling teachers) and taking many trips together over their 92 years on earth. Eventually, they both became Franciscan friars and spent most of their time at New York’s St. Bonaventure University,…
meaning of life
"The meaning of your life is the meaning you give it,” writes philosopher A. C. Grayling in his book Thinking of Answers. He suggests trying to create meaning in our lives through the pursuit of relationships and goals, by developing our talents and interests, and through our hopes and desires. Grayling concludes that life itself is meaningless and the only meaning…
sustained
Several years ago, I had the privilege of interviewing Tony Dungy’s wife, Lauren, for Sports Spectrum Magazine. At the time, Tony was the head coach of the Tampa Bay Buccaneers and—based on his faith, integrity, and contributions on and off the field—was highly esteemed by his players, community, and the National Football League (NFL).
Yet, though deeply blessed, Lauren said she…
April 30, 2012
What helpful things were said to you or done for you during a time you were experiencing grief? What were some unhelpful things?
He will come
Four years ago, I became the primary caregiver for a 7-year-old Ugandan boy who was dying of Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML).
During the first 3 weeks that I attended to Okello, he was unable to see me because of painful, blinding tumors that shrouded both his eyes. Okello was able to recognize me, however, whenever I entered his hospital room.…
unspoken
Sometimes life holds moments—and even needs— too deep for words. Not all silence comes from a desire to hide or pretend we’ve got life together. The reasons may be varied: Perhaps we feel the need to keep a rightful confidence or find that speaking puts another’s reputation at unnecessary risk. Other times, we fail to find sufficient wording to express…
faithful lament
Last year we watched with sorrow and concern as an earthquake, tsunami, and ensuing nuclear disaster rocked Japan. MSNBC captured a particularly heart-wrenching photograph of 4-year-old Manami Kon having the sad occasion to practice her recently learned ability to write. Manami slowly penned a letter to her mom who had been missing since the quake: “Dear Mommy, I hope you’re…
fasting and faith
When Gandhi wanted to capture the attention of the powerful and prompt them to act against injustice, he went on a hunger strike. A number of years ago when I was confused and heartbroken, I began a 3-day fast. We are physical creatures, and the state of our soul or the hopes of our heart require physical expression.
Scripture suggests…
taking root
A few years ago, I wrote about three street kids—Saddam, Moses, and Charles. At the time, I had helped lead them to a Christian home for children who had no other place to live. I thought the boys would be elated to leave their life of extreme suffering behind. But after only one month in his new environment, Saddam called…
love and grief
In Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, the second to last movie in the epic series, Dobby, a house-elf whom Harry once helped free from his cruel masters, is killed as he comes to the rescue of Harry and his companions. Dobby’s death leaves Harry stunned and speechless. Only his friend Luna is able to put into words the deep loss…
opportunity for joy
Sometimes the Bible puzzles me. For instance, the book of James starts out by telling us that when tough things happen, “consider it an opportunity for great joy” (James 1:2). Really? “Great joy?” I don’t know about you, but sometimes even a little joy can be hard to come by.
I’ve wondered how a verse like this applies when someone…
loss and found
It’s likely that several people you know have been laid off this year. Recently I learned that another good friend had lost his job. This would be bad news for anyone, but it was especially brutal for my friend because his wife’s position had been eliminated just a month before!
King David knew what it felt like to lose his…
the cup
In the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus' soul was "crushed with grief to the point of death" (Matthew 26:36). He had often spent long evenings talking with and finding strength in His Father. But this night was different. Anguish swept over Him. Three times, He got up to seek out His disciples. He could not enjoy the sweet fellowship with the…
