Food, tears, listening and offering support

Jesus wept. This is the shortest verse of the Bible. It’s found in the Gospel of John Chapter 11 verse 31. This verse is also one of the most revealing pieces of Jesus' humanity. 

 

Jesus wept because his friend Lazarus died and he was sad. Jesus did not hide his emotion at this loss. Jesus did not shed his tears in private, in isolation, but in the presence of community.  Jesus’ sadness, pain, and grief was witnessed by friends and neighbors.

 

We do not live completely on our own, so no part of our human existence (including grief) should be expected to be  experienced alone.

 

The sadness, pain, tears, grief we experience in our own times of loss is eased when we share it with others, like Jesus did in his loss. This may be easier to think about than to do.

 

We know life is better when it is shared with others but when we’re moving forward in loss we’re not always comfortable with our thoughts and feelings, so how can we know others will be okay with what we’re navigating? 

 

Maybe food can help. 

 

Jesus knew the importance of inviting people to gather together to connect with him and with each other, and he knew that food had a wonderful way of bringing people together to talk, listen, and connect.

 

I think many of us know this too. Many funeral or memorial services have some sort of food that is part of the day. Oftentimes there is a worship service followed by a time to gather over coffee and treats or even tater-tot hotdish. 

 

At other times when we hear a family has experienced a loss or is going through a difficult time, meals are prepared and delivered or picked up by the family. When we’re dropping food off or coordinating a pick up time we make ourselves available to listen if people want to talk about their loss. This sharing of food is a tangible way we can let people know “You are not alone. We are here for you.” 

 

Food, tears, listening and offering support, especially during a time of loss is all deeply connected. 

 

But what happens when the meals stop being prepared? What happens when the last of the left overs have been eaten? The food may be gone, but grief is not. 

 

This is a gentle reminder: you are not alone. You do not need to grieve alone. Consider connecting with family or friends, your church or worshiping community or look for resources in the community. People and resources are here to support you-especially in times of grief. (DSO Funeral and Cremation Service will begin a Grief Group Series September 9th).

 

Friends, one of the greatest things about our teacher and Savior Jesus is his love and his ability to connect with people no matter what they were going through, be it on the mountain tops or in the valleys. Jesus invites us to follow his example and do the same: love and connect with each other in times of joy and times of sorrow. 

 

Jesus wept, and he was surrounded and cared for by community. Your community is here.You are not alone, especially for the times that you weep.