There are times when others just say it better. Today, I would like to quote a very special man who has changed my life through his life in Christ.

Recently, he was asked about the losses we suffer in our lives. For all of you suffering great loss, I pray his words give you comfort.

Going where called,
Doing what is asked,

Doug

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The other day [Eddie] asked Father Dale this question: “How would you advise a person who has suffered a great loss in their life?” I was so taken by his response that I wanted to share this with others.

Loss is part of life. It happens everyday. Right from the time we grow up we are losing things, and losing people in our lives. We learn to handle it as part of “growing up”. We can’t have and we can’t keep everything we want.

There are a few times in our lives where we face great loss. This is something different. Great loss, such as the death of a loved one, a divorce, loss of a job etc. can rip our hearts out. When it happens, it hurts on a level deeper than we thought we could feel. Great loss RE-ARRANGES our lives. Usually, it re-arranges our lives AGAINST our wills and desires. When our lives get re-arranged we can fight or we can embrace it. To embrace it, we need the gift of COURAGE. Courage is a grace, it is a gift, it is an option. When we choose courage, we can experience GOD. God didn’t necessarily cause our re-arrangement….but God does not abandon us. He makes himself present.

In my own life, loss has been heavy. But the gifts in my life were abundant. When they were taken away, the last thing I wanted to do was to try to be courageous. But, God was there. God is there.

Because of my own loss, my heart aches for those who suffer loss. Without my own loss, I don’t think I would have understood it so deeply. I can feel for others, like I never did before. That is good. I also have become aware that there were many people in my life who have never suffered real loss. They are the ones who no longer want to be friends. They don’t get it. But someday, they will suffer LOSS. I pray that I will be able to be there for them, with true compassion and love.

Loss doesn’t always make sense. But, it’s part of life. Courage doesn’t always make sense either. But, it’s a great way to meet a God who courageously died for us.