Moments with Mary

Cherished Moments are like a kaleidoscope of memories that allows one to see glances and glimpses of your so missed loved one.  It’s like watching an old movie that keeps playing on the same reel, over and over, capturing a smile or a whisper or a treasured moment in time.  Cherished moments are what keep us moving through the heaviness of grief.    Those monumental moments are a balm for the soul and can bring relief during grief.  Because those moments are real.  They happened.  They existed.  They were lived out.  They live forever.  And ever.  Amen.  The one who gets wisdom loves life; the one who cherishes understanding will soon prosper.    Proverbs 19:8 For more information visit https://www.chaplainmary.net/ Or check out my book: https://www.amazon.com/Skirting-Thin-Veil-Meaningful-Life-Changing

 Out of Order Life, or should I say Death…so often can occur out of order, especially when we lose a child or someones life ends who is so much younger than we are.  That someone hasn’t yet had the chance to live out their lives.  They have been robbed of the opportunity to live through their entire life.  Every answer to “why?” is left blank.  No one can explain why because no one knows why.   This is when we have to take that blank and live with never being able to make sense of it.  We are not living life in their shoes, nor are they living their life in our shoes.  This is when we have to, whether we like it or not, understand that whatever happened to them...in the end, ultimately it was their life's destiny…and, ultimately, it is their death's destiny.  We have to accept that truth even though we cannot understand it.  We will never fully understand it.  But…if we can truly understand that Life and Death are part of each ...

Alone and Lonely.  Two words with similar letters, but with distinct different meanings.  Lonely is this vast feeling within self that feels abandoned and no one is there to fill it.  Alone is a space of solitude that seeks a deeper peace.   Grief attracts both and both can become hidden in one’s unconscious.  It’s important to bring them forward by becoming consciously aware when you are feeling alone or when you feel lonely and to understand the difference between the two.   Seek Others when you feel lonely.   Seek God when you feel alone.       In peace I will lie down and sleep, for you alone, LORD, make me dwell in safety Psalm 4:8

FREEDOM - What exactly does freedom mean when you’re grieving?  Freedom means the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants without hindrance or restraint.  But when you’re grieving, it’s not that simple to express clearly or succinctly what lies inside.  There is so much going on within, that it becomes even more difficult to lay out and sort out the multitude of emotions that ping pong within.  That may be one reason grievers tend to close off.  In reality, freedom for grievers means opening up, even when we fear those dark thoughts or can’t grasp fully what is happening inside.  After all, everything we have believed up until this moment has been challenged. Everything we know or believed has now changed.  The only way to seek true freedom during grieving is to allow God’s grace to infiltrate your thoughts, your fears, and the unknown.   In God’s time, and in God’s grace, you will feel empowered to find the freedom to act, speak ...

 SOLITUDE Solitude is an interesting phenomena.  When you seek solitude, life becomes chaotic.  When you don’t want solitude, you are enveloped by it.  Juxtoposition.   Whenever and wherever and however solitude comes, embrace it.  Be in its moment.  Let it bring calm within you.  And when you can’t attain it, smile…knowing it will come in its own time, place, pace and space.  And, always and in all ways, solitude will come within when you need it most. “…when you pray, go into your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.”    Matt 6:6 For more information visit https://www.chaplainmary.net/ Or check out my book: https://www.amazon.com/Skirting-Thin-Veil-Meaningful-Life-Changing Photo by Chaplain Mary

 “I’m Sorry”  Two words that can change or remodel a relationship.  Some people struggle to mention those two simple words that can be life-changing.  Or, some people say them so much, they’ve lost the true meaning that should be attached to them.  Think about how many times you’ve uttered “I’m sorry” in your life – the what, when, why, where and who did you utter them to?  Did it count or did you have to say it again?  When you do say “I’m sorry,” think about your motive first and make a conscious decision to put forth the effort to ensure why you apologized doesn’t happen again.  Make “I’m sorry” really count.  You can always apologize to someone who has entered heaven.  They can hear you and accept your gift!   I’m sorry always has a two-fold affect.  It can change or release the forgiven…and even more importantly, it can change or release the forgiver.   Either way, it’s reconciliation...a blessing...a true g...