I have more of these and continue to add more of them in that treasure box in my heart where I keep things that are too precious for me to only put on paper. There are also many scriptures that became real to me during that time, ones I'd read many times before that gained new meaning. I still draw so much hope from many of these thoughts. I hope they are an encouragement to you as well. Tiffany.....
We give them back to You, O Lord, who first gave them to us: yet as You did not lose them giving, so we do not lose them by their return, for what is Yours is ours also if we belong to You.
Love is undying, and life is unending, and the boundary of this mortal life is but a horizon, and a horizon is nothing save the limit of our sight. Lift us up, Strong Son Of God, that we may see further. Cleanse our eyes that we may see clearly...and while You prepare a place for us, prepare us also for that happy place, that we may be with You and with those we love forevermore. Amen." -Bede Jarrett O.P. from "A Mother's Grief Observed" by Rebecca Faber.
I know this is strongly Christian in nature and don't know what your policy is regarding this. But I wanted to share it with you as it is one of the most beautiful prayers I have ever heard. I especially love the part I did in bold writing. That was my own not how it was in the book- the bold I mean- if you do decide to quote it. I wasn't sure if you have to do it exactly. Tiffany
Carried by angels-
it is all we know of how they go;
We heard it long ago.
It is enough; they are not lonely there,
Lost nestlings blown about in fields of air.
The angels carry them; the way they know.
Our kind Lord told us so.
Carmichael.
"Sorrow is one of the things that are lent, not given."
A thing that is lent may be taken away;
A thing that is given is not taken away.
Joy is given;
Sorrow is lent.
We are not our own
We are bought with a price.......
Our sorrow is lent us for just a little while
that we may use it for eternal purposes.
Then it will be taken away
And everlasting joy will be
our Father's gift to us
and the Lord God will wipe away all tears
from off all faces.
Amy Carmichael from "Edges Of His Ways"
(OK, I have to say that I love the idea that we don't have to -or get
to- keep our sorrow. This was very promising to me during the times when I
felt the overwhelming grief would last forever!...Tiffany)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Forever in Our Hearts~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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A poem in memory of Matthew Chapman
My life is but a weaving
Between the Lord and me;
I may not choose the colors
He knows what they should be;
For he can see the pattern
Upon the upper side,
While I can see it only
On this, the underside.
Sometimes He weaveth illness
Which seemeth strange to me,
But I shall trust His judgement,
And work on faithfully;
Tis He who fills the shuttle,
He knows just what is best,
So I shall weave in earnest
And leave with Him the rest.
Not till the loom is silent
And the shuttles cease to fly
Shall God unroll the canvas
And explain the reason why-
The dark threads are as needful
In the Weaver's skillful hand
As are the threads of gold and silver
In the patterns he has planned.
Author Unknown
Given to my by Father Jon Payne, St Ignatius Martyr Church,
Austin Texas
Shelagh
Matthew Chapman
8/6/97
Second trimester loss
Austin, TX
5/19/99
E-mail
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Forever in Our Hearts~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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Beauty to Ashes
Verses used in the "Beauty to Ashes" group: a group of SHARE Atlanta mothers who are using the Bible and other Christian materials to help guide them in their journey of grief.
Isaiah 40:31
But they that wait upon the Lordshall renew their strength;
they shall mount up with wings as eagles;
they shall run, and not be weary,
and they shall walk, and not faint.
Psalm 61:1-4
Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer
From the end of the Earth will I cry unto thee;
when my heart is overwhelmed,
Lead me to the rock that is higher than I;
For thou hast been a shelter for me,
and a strong tower from the enemy.
I will abide in the tabernacle forever:
I will trust in the covert of thy wings. Selah.
This was sent to me from Nekicia..one of the member in August 2004.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Forever in Our Hearts~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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copyright(c)SHARE Atlanta '99-2004
Tiffany's supportive verses