Taking Time To Remember

Taking Time to Remember

God blesses those who mourn, for they will be comforted.

“You know, one of the greatest things someone did for me was to send me a card anonymously each month for an entire year after my dad died,” my friend Rachel said one day as she talked about what it was like to lose her dad. “They wanted me to know that they were still thinking of and praying for me, and that meant so much over the course of that first year.”

As I thought about what Rachel said, I realized it was such a simple task and yet one that would have taken intentionality and reminders to do over the course of an entire year. My friend Rachel had no idea which one of her friends made the commitment, but she was incredibly grateful for the support the cards brought her in that first year.

She explained that you’re always shown a lot of compassion at first, but then life just goes on for people. “It was nice to know someone was still praying for me well beyond when other people had stopped mentioning it,” she said with a smile.

As she spoke, I thought about how nice it is to be remembered. It reminded me of a friend of mine who still sends me a message and a prayer each year on the anniversary of my sister’s death. She wants me to know that she still thinks of Katrina and of my loss. Her kind words bring comfort like little else does on that day.

I find hope in the promise that God will comfort those of us who grieve, and one of the greatest ways we can show up for a friend who is grieving is to continually offer them comfort, even if it looks like everything is okay. We must understand that grief is a continual process, one that doesn’t end after the funeral. Long after the prayers and condolences of most have dwindled, it is comforting to have someone remember you and your grief.

— Kendra

— Today’s Act of Friendship —

Reach out to a friend who is grieving and let them know you are praying for them.