Your friend’s loss always remains with them. The waves of sorrow may ebb and flow, but I’ll bet you thoughts of their grief always swirl. Your pursuit of them, though, will show not only your love and concern, but it will help them see that the Lord never forgets…for He sent you as a reminder. Your ministry to them glorifies the Lord, brings healing to deep wounds, and offers expectant hope in Christ…Till we are home…

I’ve said it before, but I think it bears repeating: don’t be afraid to ask your friend about how they are doing in their grief over losing a loved one…even if it’s been years or decades since their loved one died. 

A beloved brother and I caught up recently, sharing updates on family, life, and ministry. As he rolled through the list of my family members, he didn’t forget my youngest. “How are you doing with your grief over Izzy, brother?”

It’s only been three years since I lost my youngest child at the age of fourteen. That feels like a lifetime since last seeing my precious daughter. Yet, that’s not a whole lot of time to pass either. Even so, though it is still fresh on my mind and thoughts of my sweet girl are always swirling in my head, that may not be so for those outside of our family unit. Or, at least, it feels that way.

I’m not really sure how others look at the Bishops these days. I imagine some of them have gotten used to the image of a family of four rather than five. Likely, no one else lives like us with thinking about Isabel as much as we do, which is understandable. The passage of time can work seemingly cruelly to reorient our thoughts to view what’s recent as what is normal for others.

So, I don’t blame anyone or get upset with them if Isabel is not front and center in their minds when they talk to me or anyone of my family.

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