Reflections on Grief - by Anita Harrison

Do you like to share with others? I do but usually only when I'm feeling confident in my own abilities, when everything feels right in the world; but what when it doesn't? That's the exact position I'm coming to you from today.

I recently lost a very dear friend and it's changed everything. It's changed me. The first few weeks of loss were hard but I sort of bumbled along in a numb haze. Now that feeling has worn off and reality has kicked in. This is my life now and there's such a pressure to give in or give up but I know that's just the grief talking.

I'd be happy to share about a difficult time in my life and how I got through it but in this case, in losing my wonderful friend, I'm still very much going through it and vulnerable.

This means that I don't have all the answers and I certainly don't know how things are going to work out. I have good days and bad days. However, I do know the man who holds the future.

A couple of practical things that I'm learning. Don't expect to feel normal or put a pressure on yourself to do so. Be kind to yourself. Grief is exhausting, so find time to rest. Take pleasure in God's creation; a gentle walk observing all God has designed can be so rewarding. Take time to just be.




A few years back I wrote this poem which is blessing me once again, as I seek to use it as a prayer.

Whatever you are going through right now, whatever troubles are crossing your mind, I pray that you will find all you need in our Heavenly Father. He loves and cares for us deeply. His grace is sufficient for us.

The Oceans song and its words inspired me to draw this picture recently. I believe it fits in well with what I've shared.



Note from the Bible Art Journaling UK Team - we'd especially like to thank Anita for sharing such a difficult and painful part of life, with such honesty and grace. We believe this is a timely word to many, as this is something that we all walk through at different times in our lives. If anyone would like prayer support from the Bible Art Journaling team, please send a private message to Deborah Gregg, Sarah Anderson, Claire Graham or Lyndsey Campbell, or contact someone you know, either in the Bible Art Journaling UK group, or of course a friend at your church family. The body of Christ is one family and we are here to support each other, so know that you are not alone.