heavy is the weight

So a bit back dear friends of mine were in a horrific accident.  Two deaths and one life were the result of that accident.  FINALLY I was able to visit this week, just for a wee short time, but enough to pass along well-wishes and prayers.  I left and called my mom to let her know and to express my dismay that some think he is callous.  My mom was quick to explain how often people don’t understand how heavy is the weight between that relief of no more pain, and the mourning of a loved one lost.  I was reminded to more often show grace to those who simply don’t understand. 

heavy is the weight

he lies there
bandaged and battled
finally,
friends can stop in
for just a wee bit
to visit.
to check in
and let him know
the prayers and
well-wishes of
kith and kin.

he apologizes
not able to move
broken leg, ribs and
arm preventing.
always hospitable
even when it’s next
to impossible to manage.

but nothing will stop
conversation, a
reaching out to ensure
the well-being of others.

glimpses of pain in
converation of a loved one lost
and feeling callous when
the gladness is there
that this loved one
is now in heaven
of being glad that
she is gone and no
longer in pain.

she can now be
with a son long since lost.

the relief that she is
not with him is palpable
yet heavy is the weight
of loss.

heavy is the weight
of others thinking
he is callous for the
relief of no more suffering
for his most loved of people.

heavy is the weight
knowing that God himself
is not finished with him yet
of not knowing yet what
the future holds for him.

observing him
i am reminded of
how heavy was the weight
when relief felt when
my dad passed
no more pain
glory with God himself.

sadness knowing
that not all will
understand this,
that heaviness of
mourning mixed with
the heaviness of relief.

post script

I honestly don’t know a good scripture to put with this poem, all I know is this.  I understand how my friend feels at the loss of his wife.  Not as well as my mom would, but I do catch a glimpse of it. I DO know this…. God extends to me grace upon grace upon grace.   This book helped.

Once I truly understood that, I have tried to raise my boy by extending to him grace upon grace, and I’m getting better at doing that with my hubby as well.  He messes up, I mess up, and we truly need to extend more and more grace to each other.  It’s funny sad how I need to learn to do this with everyone in my sphere of influence. Yet God, he does it all seemlessly.  All his children are his children and extending grace to them just happens.

HE EVEN extends grace to those who are not his own.  Still giving food, shelter, variety in weather, jobs and more.  This is God in action, so how much more should we try to copy that? I have so much to learn yet.  I fear I will never show it enough, in all my life interactions.