Scripture:

Blessed are those who mourn, for they will be comforted.
- Matthew 5:4

Devotional:

I spent about five years as a volunteer in the childhood cancer community, so I have stood face to face with those who are mourning more times than I ever wished I would. I have struggled with what to say to the grieving during those first few days when shock and numbness sit like a heavy blanket on a family's shoulders. I have struggled as well years later when I recognize the foolishness of the notion that time heals all wounds. 

We, well-meaning Christians, have a host of verses from which to choose as we attempt to comfort our friends who are suffering. In addition to Matthew 5:4, Revelation 21:4 reminds us that "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes". Psalm 147:3 assures us that "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

I hope in circumstances like this we all can remember a very important fact about grief that we learn in arguably the most important story in all of the Bible. We read it only a few weeks ago. 

In John 20, after the devastating events of the torture and crucifixion of Jesus, we find Mary Magdalene at the empty tomb weeping. Mary had traveled many miles with Jesus. He was her savior and her redeemer, of course, but as much He was her dear friend. Mary is overcome with grief. In fact, it is a grief which so consumes her that when Jesus appears to her in 20:14 she isn't even able to recognize Him. 

How unspeakably debilitating must this grief have been that even Mary, who had spent countless hours, days, and years with Jesus was unable to see Him when He was standing right in front of her? If this happened to those who literally walked alongside Him, what can this mean for the rest of us? 

The lesson I glean here is that even those who have known the love of God since they were young children, even those who have intently studied His words, even those who have forged a deep, meaningful relationship with Jesus Christ can be so overcome by grief and pain that they aren't able to see Him at all. 

And that's where we can come in. For a friend that suffers a shattering loss, I absolutely can share Scripture, but I know that she might not see Jesus simply because I recite some words. I need to sit close enough for her to see me. I need her to watch me listen to all the horrific details of those last days of her loved one's life never wincing or looking away. I need her to know that I will wait patiently in my faith when hers is hard to grasp. I have to keep trying to be present and visible knowing that there will come a time when the Lord will reveal Himself to my friend saying her name as clearly as he said, "Mary". And I will watch and wait and rejoice when she recognizes Him saying, "Rabboni! There You are." 

Prayer:

Holy, healing God. God of the grieving. God who is ever-present even when we cannot see. Help us to be Your hands and feet and heart for those who mourn. Help us to seek them out so that they can see You through us. Help us to stand firmly by until You wipe their tears, uncloud their eyes and stand clearly in front of them assuring them that You were always there and will always be. 

Written by Jennifer Skinner, member of Arcola Church and a Texan (Texas Longhorn to be specific!) living in beautiful Virginia with her very patient, funny husband, and three very impatient, funny boys/ball players. She is also a blogger, The View From Behind Home Plate, who writes about finding extraordinary grace and blessings among the cleats and dirt and testosterone that fill her ordinary days.