What a Friend

I think I am getting to a place where I can say and believe, “If not, God is still good.” I think this realization came to me while reading the book Held, by Abbey Wedgeworth. One story in this book compared the suffering of a grieving mother to the emotion the Lord felt as his Only Son was crucified. God experienced the death of a child too. Up until this point, I had not ever considered that fact. The whole time I was angry and hurt by God but, He is the only person that can fully feel the weight of what I have been feeling.

I understand this is not an uncommon thing that happens. Still, the fact that no one talks about it makes it feel so incredibly isolating and shameful. But God understands more than I ever thought He could. While others may shy away from the discomfort and awkwardness of grief, God embraces it and wants me to draw closer to Him.

Hebrews 4:15 begins by saying, “For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses….” I feel the truth and comfort in that verse more than ever now. God understands what it means to lose a child more than anyone. This realization makes the lyrics in the song “What a friend we have in Jesus” that much sweeter: “Can we find a friend so faithful, who with all our sorrows share? Jesus knows our every weakness. Take it to the Lord in prayer.”