from GriefBeliefs guide to Reconciling Grief and Mourning
Has someone you love, died or been lost to you in other ways? Is it possible to find a new normal, full of grace? Is a new life after loss within your reach?
Grueling and Full of Grace
I watched the movie “The Impossible” the other day. It’s been described as a film that is grueling and full of grace at the same. I have to agree! “The Impossible” is about the journey of the Bennett family in the wake of the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. I suppose “the impossible” is that anyone survived at all and that a family of five survived and found each other after such a tragedy. I remember thinking that even though they did survive, nothing would ever be the same again.
Then I recalled the story of designer Nate Berkus who survived the same tsunami, although his partner did not. Nate came back to the States and talked openly about this harrowing experience and his tragic loss within days of the storm. At the time I was the Program Director of Journey of Hope Grief Support Center in Plano Texas and I read an article in a magazine where Nate talked about trying to find a “new normal” after this grueling experience. This was the first time I had really begun to understand that concept even though I had been widowed myself 11 years before, and striving to experience a full and joyful life after loss.
I was struck with the grace that he portrayed when he visited with and interviewed other survivors, when he accepted gracious care from those who were able to offer it and was patient with those who weren’t, when he responded to his family, his partner’s family and the families of so many who were lost.
From that point forward, we introduced the concept of the “new normal” to our grief group support clients and I still address this idea with clients another 10 years later when we talk about life after loss.
Reconciling Loss as Part of Life
In our book, Strength for the Journey: Help for the Whole Family in the Shadow of Grief and Mourning ($9.99 – all proceeds go to the Journey of Hope Grief Support Center), we added that the family needs to reconcile and learn to live with loss and the realization that life after loss will never be the same. They can gain a renewed sense of energy, confidence, and a desire to become newly involved in activities and to enjoy life again. They can eventually establish new and healthy relationships.
What this new normal means to each person after their unique life after loss is different. But it is possible!
Nate Berkus said there was finally a time when he saw a glimmer of his former self and knew that he had a second chance at life!
New Normal is Possible
As we celebrated the beginning of this New Year, I couldn’t help but think through new resolves that I wanted for this new era in my life after loss and my business. And I was reminded of this “new normal’ concept after a grueling loss, still full of grace and promise. I found a “new normal” after Tim’s death, not because I was strong or because I understood the tasks necessary to grow after such a loss, but because I had a strong faith in the Lord and because I was reminded of His ability to make all things new.
New Normal is Possible, because…
HE MAKES ALL THINGS NEW!
“Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come. All this is from God, …through Christ…”
Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-18 – you are made new!
“ And He who was seated on the throne said, “Behold, I am making all things new.” Also he said, “Write this down, for these words are trustworthy and true.”
Read Revelation 21:1-5 – there will be a new heaven and a new earth, no more mourning!
Listen to the song (God makes) All Things New – Steven Curtis Chapman
You smiled, You made the sun rise
To light up the very first day
You breathed across the water
And started the very first wave
It was You, You introduced Your Glory
To every living creature on earth
And they started singing
The first song to ever be heard they sang for You
Then the world was broken
Fallen and battered and scarred
You took the hopeless
The life wasted, ruined and marred and made it new
You turn winter into spring
You take every living thing
And You breathe the breath of life into it
Over and over again
You made the sunrise
Day after day after day
But there’s a morning coming
When old things will all pass away and everyone will see
New Normal is Possible, because…
HE DELIVERS AND RESTORES!
The Lord Had Pity
25 I will restore[d] to you the years
that the swarming locust has eaten,…
19 The Lord answered and said to his people,
“Behold, I am sending to you
grain, wine, and oil,
and you will be satisfied;
Read Joel 2:18-27
The Lord Will Pour Out His Spirit
28 [e] “And it shall come to pass afterward,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh;
32 And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls on the name of the Lord shall be saved.
Read Joel 2: 28-32
New Normal is Possible, because…
HE REDEEMS AND SATISFIES!
4 He redeems your life from the pit,
and crowns you with steadfast love and mercy,
5 He satisfies you with good
so that your youth is renewed like the eagle’s.
Read Psalm 103:1-5
Will you believe God will fill you with the Grace of a “new normal” after this grueling loss?
Let me know if you need help!
Blessings,
Karen Lindwall-Bourg
“Achieve Levels of Success Worth Celebrating”
*Founder, Karen Bourg Companies http://karenbourg.com
*Owner, President {Inter}National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs/International Christian Mompreneur Network http://nacwe.org
*Founder, RHEMA Publishing House http://rhemapublishinghouse.com
*Founder, RHEMA Lakeside Retreat Center https://www.facebook.com/rhemaretreat/
*Founder, RHEMA Counseling Associates http://rhemacounseling.com
About Karen Lindwall-Bourg
Karen Lindwall-Bourg is the President of the {Inter} National Association of Christian Women Entrepreneurs [est. May 2010] and the new President of the International Christian Mompreneur Network [est. July 2010], both at http://nacwe.org . She and the NACWE Operations and Leadership Teams work diligently to provide
· Community
· Networking
· Education
· Missions
opportunities to Christian Women Entrepreneurs, Mompreneurs and Nanapreneurs alike all over the world!
Our Core Values are
· Community – we value Connection, Collaboration and Contribution
· Networking – we value Nurture, New relationships and New and innovative offers
· Education – we value Encouragement, Excellence and Expressiveness, and
· Missions – we value Ministry and Making a difference
Karen is wife to Fred, Mommy to 6 kids and 5 in-loves, Nana to “going-on” 12 grandchildren, and treat provider deluxe for a herd of Great Pyrenees who protect their north TX ranch! She is an entrepreneur coach, author, publisher, retreat hostess and more! Learn more about Mastermind groups and “Celebration” coaching with Karen at http://karenbourg.com.