JOY IN THE MOURNING (Post 185)

June 15, 2026

Be still my soul! …

When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone, Sorrow forgot, love’s purest joys restored
Words from “Be Still My Soul” by Katharina von Schlegal

Recently, the church I attend has formed a bereavement group - a grief-share ministry for those who have suffered loss. Sometimes, I’ll hear folks calling it the widows’ group but all are welcome who feel their hearts broken due to loss. Currently, it is composed of persons whose loved ones have passed. Still the loss of employment, marriage, and/or any significant life issue can be debilitating and in need of caring and support.

Discussions center around planned topics – and there is much participation. Along with shared practical suggestions, what is most apparent are the affirmative and caring comments voiced to each other. Do the next thing, next (as opposed to looking too far ahead) is one favored piece of wisdom, for example. Basically, the bottom-line is that one is not alone in life crises. The concept of support group literally takes living shape.

Yet in times of deep loss (again for many circumstances), we can go back and forth feeling supported and then very alone. That is grief, for sure. My father spoke of waves of grief that come and go; and I have read about (and experienced) how years can pass and suddenly, tears of sorrow may flow. The fellowship, comradery, sweet moments, the conversations, the hugs … yes, missed – and poignantly longed for.

NOTE: the following is an eclipsed version of a sermon which I first preached many years ago. The scriptural text is from the Gospel of John 21: 1-14 wherein the Risen Christ appears to His disciples who have returned to their fishing with no results. Jesus meets them in the flesh and in the real world. (1) He calls out to them with a message of understanding their catch-less situation. (2) He gives them instructions with an affirmative assurance. (3) A miraculous catch follows for the nets did not break with the resulting HUGE catch. (4) Jesus provides them with comfort (warm fire) and nourishment (cooked food). (5) Affirmation of the resurrection occurred as this was the third time Jesus appeared post-crucifixion.

G0D’S GRACE (LOVE) met the DISCIPLES WHERE THEY WERE and GOD’S GRACE (LOVE) meets EACH OF US – also – WHERE WE ARE (and I will add, not where we may think we ought to be)!

Still it is tough to face earthly absence of a loved one. We cling to God’s promises of eternal life AND we hope that, somehow, we can believe without seeing. In the midst of grief’s sadness, we sense the comfort of the Holy Spirit; yet we find that it’s not hard to yearn for a miraculous sign of wonder, as in the days following Jesus’ resurrection.

We continue to look for Christ to manifest Himself personally in our own situations. We wait for a message, from Jesus, to believe … and to experience a personal and wondrous affirmation.

And so it was in January of 1988, when my mother suddenly took ill with the flu. Like many other older persons that winter, she became quite vulnerable to this particularly threatening strain. Her heart became involved; and unexpectedly, on the day she was assigned to the step-down unit at the hospital, the virus attacked further. Her heart literally exploded. The unpredictability of her death coupled with our very close, loving relationship, resulted in a period of intense grief – and yes, the questions.

Although I knew she was a faithful believer – and where she truly was – my sadness overwhelmed me. What I think I longed for and missed most were the phone calls – as she and Dad lived over a thousand miles away. The months dragged on … and the Risen Christ did meet me – and gave me strength. He met me just where I was in grief – and with moments of perfect divine timing and comforting words. However, over and over, I sensed an anxious panic, clearly derived from my wonderings about the afterlife.

Then once our kids were out of school for summer vacation, we took a road-trip to the mountains. We found a lovely, quiet campground with very few visitors and a nearby lake. One afternoon while we were enjoying the sand beach, I was engulfed suddenly by those pangs of uncertainty. The children were playing close by and all of a sudden, Daughter called out, “I found something!” Her arm was very deep into the sand – up to her elbow or more - and I warned her not to get scratched. “It might be a thorny stick,” I called back.

Lifting her arm and hand out of the deep hole, she yelled out for us to look: a cross! It was all tarnished and broken at the top with no chain - obviously, buried for a long time. Little did my daughter know that I had been praying for an answer to those nagging questions … and had literally asked God again for reassurance that my departed loved one was okay.

Jesus said to His disciples, “You will grieve, but your grief will turn to joy.” (John 16:20b)

This story has been told many times; and each time, there is specific wonder in telling it. A friend of mine had a ministry to prisoners in Thailand. Often, she would tell them this story about the found cross. Amazed, they would reply to her, “Did she really find a cross?” Since then, those prisoners were released to return to their home countries in Africa. I pray the story continues to be shared there and in other lands – far and near!

Just a few months ago, a lady I had not seen for years approached me saying, how much the story of the cross had meant to her where I had guest-preached long ago. Her mother had just died at the time and she shared how impactful and reassuring the Cross message was. Through the years, she added, the story still brings to her a special sense of comfort.

I will close with Katharina von Schlegel’s final lines of “Be Still My Soul”.

Be still my soul!

When change and tears are past,

All safe and blessed,

We shall meet, at last.

AMEN!!

Blessings,

Rev. Janet Jacobs, CCGSO

Founding Director

Gambling Recovery Ministries

https://www.grmumc.org

855-926-0761