I gave this talk as an introduction to prayer of blessing for what we call the LORD’s Supper, or the Eucharist. The first part was before the bread and the second part was before the wine. I think it is appropriate for this Easter.

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Good Grief! I’ve heard that exclamation all of my life and I even use it. But what is good about grief?

My wife and I have lost friends, family, parents; we’ve also lost a child, and that is the worst of all. It has been over forty years, and I still find myself asking what if. What if she had lived, what would she be like now? Would she have children of her own? How would our lives be different with her in it?

I remember that day as if it were this morning. They brought her little body into us to say good-bye when we hadn’t even had a chance to say hello. We looked at her tiny feet, held her little hand, and admired her delicate fingers. Then we clung tightly to one another and as we wept on each other’s shoulders, grief crept into that hospital room and crushed our souls.

On that day I gained a connection with the Father I hope none of you ever have. We remember the Son’s suffering on the cross, but we forget the Father suffered too. He lost a child that day. And in His grief, He split boulders, darkened the Sun, shook the Earth to its foundations, and woke the dead. I understand that grief, because if I had the power I would have done the same.

But it is because of that grief we have the gift of salvation. It’s through the Father’s grief we can stand in His presence cleansed of sin, guiltless of our crimes, innocent of all transgressions. And that is Good Grief!

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God must love little children; He brings so many to His presence. I’m certain that my little girl is at the foot of the throne playing with all the other innocents sent too soon to the Father. Surely, He is looking down with the greatest of delight and joy in their play.

I am confident that someday I will be united with my daughter. I will take her in my arms, tell her I love her, and how much her mother and I missed her. Then I will have another connection with the Father. He too was joyously reunited with a child that was separated from Him by death.

This is why Christians celebrate the Eucharist on Sunday and not Friday. For it is not just a ritual of grief, but it is also a celebration of joy. For it reminds us that we have greater gifts than mere salvation. We have the hope of resurrection and the joy of redemption. It is through the cross that we return to what we were always meant to be, Children of the Most High God.

We have the joy of reunion. For isn’t a father’s greatest delight, purest pleasure, and complete joy obtained in just having his children in his presence?

#Grief, #Joy