Blog by Geralyn Nathe-Evens
Catholic United Financial member Geralyn Nathe-Evans is a licensed nurse with a master’s degree in pastoral ministry. Through her education, career practice and suffering the death of her own husband in 2014, Nathe-Evans is a compassionate, optimistic voice finding the glory and comfort of God in our most trying moments. She can be contacted at believenlove@yahoo.com.
These are the words that we as Easter people may take comfort. These are the words we celebrate during these 50 days of our Easter Season. I hope you continue to find or may have already found comfort in these words of our Savior.
Jesus made this promise to Martha when she was engulfed with grief, following the death of her brother. Martha took comfort in these words of Jesus who is our Messiah. I also find comfort in this promise of eternal life.
I recognize from my experiences that when my grief is profound and interfaces with our day-to-day lives, sadness may remain dominate my life. I recognize that at the time of death of a beloved, a finality may overwhelm and the feeling devastating. While in my mind I may believe in the resurrection, the immediate absence of the ones I love may remain heavy on my mind and heart.
In the days, months and years following the death of our beloved, sadness may remain. I have found that my own sadness tends to eb and flow. Sadness does not negate my faith in the resurrection. The sorrow and sadness of grief honors my reality. My life here on earth without those who are beloved and gone hurts.
We may find peace, and at times the joy of the resurrection that is recognized as we live the routines of life. The emotions of our experiences weave themselves together like a tapestry. We reconcile our life following the death of loved ones as we face each day without them living here on earth. We can indeed learn how to live with great loss, as well as finding comfort, hope and trust in the resurrection.
In these 50 days of celebrating the resurrection of Christ and the promise of everlasting life, I wish you hope and peace. I pray that in some way, you will find some consolation in your grief and comfort in the promise of everlasting life.
Believe n love,
Geralyn