Saturday, May 13, 2006

Preparatory Grief

I accidently stumbled onto an idea that has evidently been around for quite some time. It needs to be more widely spread because it works.

I began to thank God every night and every morning for my life and the life of my family. I don’t remember the reason why I felt I needed to do this but I did. I would acknowledge that today may be the last day for me or for any of my family because there are no guarentees to how long each of us shall be here. Ps 139:16 In Your book they all were written, the days fashioned for me, when as yet there were none of them.

Then one day our youngest was stricken by a virus that put him in the ICU for two weeks. There was some serious doubt that he would live through this experience. The whole time I had a strange peace about the whole thing. It was OK with me if he lived and it was OK with me if he lived with Jesus. Either way was fine. I could only attribute this presence of peace to the practicing of thankfullness each day.

After our son came home, I ran into our Pastor and told him about this “technique” I had discovered. He laughed and said, “Ah yes, preparatory grief. We have known about it for years.” The idea, I guess, is that everyone will go through a grieving process. By being thankful everyday you spread this grief out over a long period of time. Therefore, not having it hit you all at once.

I noticed that even Yoda in Star Wars III was aware of preparatory grief. He councelled young Aniken; “You must begin to train yourself to let go of what you are afraid to lose.”

So we must also train ourselves to believe that all that we have is actually God’s and they/it are only on loan to us for a short time. Be thankful for the time with them/it. So that when they/it are gone, we will not be crushed by grief. Surprised and saddened, yes indeed, but crushed, no way.

Praise be to God.

3 comments:

Uncle Herb said...

Mick, You post on "preperatory Grief" is right on time! With my Mom (Gramma Mather) and my Mother-in-law are both in their 90's. I have been thankful to God for their lives and their love. Either or both may go home soon and I was not ready several years ago but now your logic of 'whether with me or with Jesus, it's all right'!! I enjoy reading your BLOG and I encourage you to continue on!! I'm sure you need prodding! haha
Love to all there, Uncle Herb

Unknown said...

lacoste pas cher, nike roshe, air force, hogan, hermes, tn pas cher, sac guess, ralph lauren uk, nike air max, vanessa bruno, north face, ray ban pas cher, coach purses, hollister pas cher, michael kors, true religion jeans, ralph lauren pas cher, nike air max, converse pas cher, oakley pas cher, air jordan pas cher, nike roshe run, air max, true religion outlet, louboutin pas cher, north face, nike trainers, hollister, true religion jeans, sac longchamp, ray ban uk, michael kors, nike huarache, replica handbags, burberry, nike free, nike free run uk, timberland, new balance pas cher, nike air max, michael kors, michael kors, mulberry, true religion jeans, vans pas cher, lululemon, longchamp, coach outlet, abercrombie and fitch, longchamp pas cher, nike blazer

Unknown said...

toms shoes, ugg boots uk, barbour jackets, moncler outlet, canada goose uk, thomas sabo, pandora jewelry, pandora jewelry, doke gabbana outlet, ugg,uggs,uggs canada, barbour, swarovski, canada goose, lancel, moncler, ugg pas cher, canada goose outlet, coach outlet, canada goose, wedding dresses, karen millen, moncler, juicy couture outlet, moncler, replica watches, pandora charms, louis vuitton, sac louis vuitton pas cher, canada goose, pandora charms, louis vuitton, ugg,ugg australia,ugg italia, louis vuitton, swarovski crystal, converse outlet, supra shoes, moncler, moncler, canada goose outlet, bottes ugg, juicy couture outlet, doudoune canada goose, hollister, links of london, louis vuitton, canada goose, moncler, montre pas cher, moncler, marc jacobs
ninest123 16.01