Oceans

Grief comes in waves, crashing at times, taking a person down, plummeting souls to the depth of sorrow. Other times it is a gentle washing, a reminder of a smile, of eyes that shone full of the love of living.

Grief visited me over and over again as I traveled here. Thoughts of a happy couple, a marriage just begun, a young man full of potential as a leader among men. As we flew over the snow-topped peaks of the Italian Alps grief apprehended me in fullness. "I just know Christian loved to see these mountains. I'll bet he always looked at them when flying here. He will never look again."

That is what this kind of parting is like. He will never be in our midst on this side again. I mourn for Liz. Her dreams have disappeared with him. Her future plans are forever interrupted. So abrupt. So difficult.

God will renew vision, replace dreams. I know that. You know that. But that is not for now. For everything there is a time and a season. This is the time for grief. This is the season for weeping. Thank you to all who weep with her, pray for her, and stand with her. She needs this season to mourn.