Grief Verses

5.8.14

     Since I had learned about Tate, I felt helpless to do something for Allison. So I took it upon myself to send her a verse every morning just to have something positive for her to look at. One of my friends on facebook was doing this when we lost Kaitlyn (not because we lost her, but it "just happened" to work out that way), and it really helped me refocus and keep my mind and heart straight.
     Here are the verses I sent to her:

Monday, May 5:
    "I'm worn out from groaning. Every night, I drench my bed with tears. I soak my couch all the way through. My vision fails because of my grief; it's weak because of all my distress. Get away from me, you evil doers, because the Lord has heard me crying! The Lord has listened to my request. The Lord accepts my prayer." Psalms 6:6-9 Common English Bible (CEB)

Tuesday:
    "I'm poured out like water. All my bones have fallen apart. My heart is like wax; it melts inside me. My strength is dried up like a piece of broken pottery. My tongue sticks to the roof of my mouth; you've set me down in the dirt of death. Dogs surround me; a pack of evil people circle me like a lion- oh, my poor hands and feet! I can count all my bones! Meanwhile, they just stare at me, watching me.
      But you, Lord! Don't be far away! You are my strength! Come quick and help me! Deliver me from the sword."  Psalms 22: 14-17, 19, 20 CEB

Wednesday:
     "In the same way, you have sorrow now; but I will see you again, and you will be overjoyed. No one takes away your joy." John 16:22 CEB

Thursday (the day of Tate's funeral):
      "Be merciful to me, Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my sould and body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.
       I am forgotten as though I were dead; I have become like broken pottery.
       But I trust in you, Lord; I say 'You are my God'"
       Psalm 31:9-10, 12, 14 NIV

Friday:
     "Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them." Psalm 126:5-6 NIV

Saturday:
     "Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest." Matthew 11:28 NIV

Sunday (Mother's Day):
      "You keep track of all my sorrows. You have collected all my tears in your bottle. You have recorded each one in your book. My enemies will retreat when I call to you for help. This I know: God is on my side! I praise God for what He has promised; I trust in God, so why should I be afraid? What can mere mortals do to me?" Psalms 56:8-11 New Living Translation (NLT)

Monday:
     "The Lord will guide you continually, giving you water when you are dry and restoring your strength. You will be like a well-watered garden, like an ever-flowing spring." Isaiah 58:11

Tuesday:
     "Rejoice in our confident hope. Be patient in trouble, and keep on praying." Romans 12:12


      After those verses, I eased off on sending Allison messages. I just remember I reached a point in my own grief that I just wanted people to get out of my space and let Alex and I be alone. It helped when it was only the two of us because Kaitlyn was such a part of him, so being with him in a way helped me grieve Kaitlyn better. It's still so strange how well you can know someone without them ever taking a breath and telling you things.