Wanda Bam

“Bow down thine ear to me; deliver me speedily: Be thou my strong rock, for an house of defence to save me. For thou art my rock and my fortress; Therefore for thy name’s sake lead me, and guide me.” Psalm 31:2-3

Life is a school where loss features strongly in the curriculum, while loss is an experience that is inseparable from our journey through life. Loss occasionally teaches us more about those who in some way are connected to the loss. Occasionally we may experience love and caring from strangers after a loss. Loss is inclined to bring about a feeling of emptiness in our hearts when others may want to fill this emptiness through good deeds of love. We often disassociate from loss by denying its existence. The words “I will never love again or trust another,” greatly add to that feeling of emptiness.

Loss has a dimension of its own. Qualifications may open doors for us but are also subject to loss and disappointment; the possibility of loss through rejection once our children have moved on with their own lives, they may keep our grandchildren from us in the event of conflict or the passing on of a loved one.  Although common, death is not the only major loss that we may suffer.  Divorce may bring about total loss and brokenness. Broken relationships or physical trauma may also bring about the loss of dreams of a happy family, a healthy life, friends, children or grandchildren. Loss however, irrespective of its nature, should be treated with respect and should be considered sincerely.

Loss can bind us and teach us. Loss may show us the hidden treasures in others around us.  Maybe we are suffering today because someone didn’t take care of us as they should have.  Maybe we are suffering because someone close, whom we trusted dearly, has hurt or offended our sense of being, whereas they should have loved and respected us.  How often it is that we shield ourselves from the pain of loss by withdrawing, by denying its existence, by focusing on the rescue efforts of others. By shunning loss we deny ourselves the potential lessons that we may learn from our experience and in so doing deny ourselves the potential to grow in the process.

Prayer:  Father, I am available to learn from loss. I am sorrowful but also forgive as I recognise the positive in the lesson. I take your Hand, O Healer, and walk the rest of the journey of healing with You, the One who died for my wounds, and who brings healing. Amen