Grief's Gain

It's appropriate today that I'm thinking about grief and the way that it brings us through hard times.  I've discovered that grief is not a quick process, or even a process at that.  Grief is something that overtakes you at the most unusual times.  There is nothing that reminds me of Mom or anything that brings up a memory and I find myself crying.  I believe the important thing about those moments is that you let the grief have its time.  I give grief its 10-15 minutes, weeping so hard I can't breathe, or tearing as the memories flood over me, and then I find that my heart has gained something after.  There is a beautiful peace that comes during the 10-15 minutes and an incredible strength that is forged, all by the grace of God.  There is nothing I do in that time of grief except to accept that its happening and walk into it with Jesus, knowing He will be with me on the other side and that's all I need.  I have grown tremendously, not only through Mom's battle with cancer, but also in her going with Jesus.  I cannot possibly describe in words all that God has done and continues to do.  I just want everyone to get what I have been given.  The gift of Jesus is so much more than just salvation, but that's for another post.