No sooner than when sudden losses occur do we discover that life is a journey

38 And I am convinced that nothing can ever separate us from God’s love. Neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons,[b] neither our fears for today nor our worries about tomorrow—not even the powers of hell can separate us from God’s love. 39 No power in the sky above or in the earth below—indeed, nothing in all creation will ever be able to separate us from the love of God that is revealed in Christ Jesus our Lord. Romans 8:38-39

We have good friends who prepared a year in advance for their climb to the top of half dome. They did this because they knew that their climb to the top would be made easier with such rigorous preparation. I remember watching these friends as they joined a local climbing club and going weekly to practice their skills. They did this with the understanding that their trip to half dome would be a much more enjoyable experience if they were prepared for the climb.

As much as we try to prepare for everything that life gives us I cannot find a life instructional manual that helps us to prepare for the sudden tragedies of life. There is no magic 'cure all' that will take away the pain that inflicts those who have endured life's unfair moments. There is no magic formula that will allow you to 'lift' the pain of your children who are traveling their own journey when the sudden tragedy occurs. There is no magic 'pill' to erase the mental images left behind by the tragedy There are no magic wands one can wave to restore the lost equilibrium of life. The magic of 'Disney' simply doesn't work in these circumstances.

In my own experience with sudden loss that turning to God was the only 'cure all' that help me navigate the peaks and valleys of my grief. God's instructional manual, other wise known as the bible, was the only source to help me on this journey.

The first Sunday after our loss when my son asked me if he could stay home from church because he didn't feel like going I looked directly at him with the right amount of inflection and reminded him that his mom didn't feel like going to church and I knew I didn't feel like going to church, but if we all stayed home we would neglect the opportunity of being blessed with a kind word of encouragement from our friends that day.

My son learned from that day that his faith was not based on 'feelings', .

Sudden losses  are troubling because there are no warning signs and nothing you can do can prepare for them. No amount of dialectical dialog with God to answer the 'Why's will bring relief to the loneliness and quiet suffering that comes with this loss.

Life is a journey. It requires us to place our faith and trust in a living Savior, Jesus Christ to help us get through the daily reminders of our loss. It requires us learn to put one foot in front of the other trusting our Savior that he knows what he is doing with our lives.

 It requires us to keep up with our daily biological requirements of water, eating healthy food, not the comfort foods that in the end make us feel worse, and keeping a daily record of our journey of feelings and reflections of things you might have read in your personal bible.It requires us to find a good Christian book store for encouraging books to help you on your journey.It requires you to discover good artists of Christian songs and listen to Christian radio.

Life is a journey that requires that you find good listeners who are willing to sit in the muck an mire of your grief. As this journey continues God will bring those to you who you will later find had travel similar journeys of loss. You may hear stories from fellow friends at Church who now are free to share their own inner pain; whereas, before your loss you never would have guess that their pain ever existed.

Life is a journey.  As you lean into your Savior walking behind him things will get better.  The words of Jesus are reminders that He will never let you down.

So go ahead and prepare for this journey by getting your bible, your personal journal and learn to listen to the living Savior who promises to never leave you or forsake you. Things will get better at a timetable that is as unique to you.