Thank you for taking time to visit, and I hope I am even a tiny bit helpful as I have been helped and blessed by so many others. I have been doing Calligraphy since teens, and card making for many years as well. In 1990 I delighted in the joys of stamping with ink and embossing after a trip to Cairns, Qld. In 2009 I discovered the brayer, 2010 the Cuttlebug, also have now taking to reading up on crafting blogs and lo! Here I am, on one of my own.

I live on the coast of eastern Australia. I am a Christian. I trusted in the LORD down here at the beach, amazingly it is not far from where I now live. It was over 50 years ago, after a Beach Mission Service at the age of 12 years

Monday 29 February 2016

Good Grief! Is Grief good?

 In my youth I often used the Snoopy comics expression of "Good grief!" as my favourite exclamation. 
Once someone stopped me in my tracks by asking:
 "Why do you say that? grief is not good." I was in my teens so did not question my elder.. but now I beg to differ. 
Grief in its own way is good, there is a purpose for good in it.
Yes, this is a very serious topic, but it's one that's been on my heart to share. As some of you know I've had a run of sympathy cards to make. 
Dear friends, precious ones - with whom we've shared many happy experiences over the years, and grown into deep friendship
I also have some very dear friends who've recently lost their deeply loved spouses. 
All these folks are believers in Christ and as believers, followers of the Lord Jesus, and joy! we do have the "blessed hope"(see verse) of His coming and of the resurrection.
The promise of the resurrection and eternal life is by faith alone in our sweet Lord Jesus Christ (not through any good which we've done, as it says in Titus 3).
So is it okay to weep, to sorrow and grieve?

Sometimes we as believers feel bad for feeling sad. 
We should be glad they're in heaven with Jesus!
However it is okay..
... okay to be feeling vulnerable and weepy cos you're mourning, you're hurting for your loss, sorrowing over their passing, but also for hurting over the whole situation for others who have loss too through this..... 
Remember the shortest verse in the bible?
"Jesus wept."  John 11:35
This was because His friend Lazarus was dead. 
This is the conversation in John 11, Jesus with Martha just before v35 before this verse (I've often thought Martha's first comment would've been mine!!)
21 Then said Martha unto Jesus, Lord, if thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.
22 But I know, that even now, whatsoever thou wilt ask of God, God will give it thee.
23 Jesus saith unto her, Thy brother shall rise again.
24 Martha saith unto him, I know that he shall rise again in the resurrection at the last day.
25 Jesus said unto her, I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:
26 And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die. Believest thou this?
27 She saith unto him, Yea, Lord: I believe that thou art the Christ, the Son of God, which should come into the world.
                                                            .... .... .... .....
33 When Jesus therefore saw her weeping, and the Jews also weeping which came with her, he groaned in the spirit, and was troubled.
34 And said, Where have ye laid him? They said unto him, Lord, come and see.
35 Jesus wept.
36 Then said the Jews, Behold how he loved him!

Now Jesus knew that He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead...

But in His flesh, in His humanity, in His great sorrow of heart, He wept even though He knew of that joy that was to come.

How much with us, who have this same humanity, but not His omnipotent, omniscient, omnipotent nature???


Don't be down on yourself. God allows us to mourn, He uses it to make us grow closer to Him, to grow more like Him.  To know and love Him better!
 
A poor photo, pre-digital age of a work done for a very dear friend - it is such a great verse. Let us cast our care upon Him, for He cares for us.. but dont use the fishing line trick and pull your burdens back to carry them again... once given to Jesus - leave them there.
Jesus weeps with us, He knows He cares... 
As do I - I weep for those whom I love, who've gone on before me, I weep with those who weep and sorrow with them, it is all part of the healing of a wound... 
And God works in hearts where we see not, in needy hearts and lives and in our own situation. When we reach out to Him - He is our Help, our Guide, our never failing Friend -  and most of all, our Saviour, by simple childlike faith in Him alone for salvation.

I would like to share with you two cards recently made for the passing of a wonderful Christian lady to glory, to be with her Lord whom she loved so much and so well .. dear sweet, precious Sue of the UK. 
May our great God bless everyone who loved her, and keep them in the hollow of His hand and dear Lord, please touch, comfort as only You can all who read this and are grieving, hurting, too.
The recipe of this card can be seen here. Verse is by Stampendous.
The recipe for this card can be seen on this post here.This verse is precious is of those who've gone before by faith in Jesus.
"God Himself shall be with them.. He will wipe away all tears from their eyes".
This from Rev 21:4 talks of the new heaven and those who are there in heaven, where there is no more crying, sorrow or pain, those that are saved walk upon the streets of it (Rev 21:24) 
  For we sorrow not as those who have no hope..
Every blessing of the LORD everyone where ever you maybe!

Thanks so much for popping over for peek and chat.. you are really appreciated and will, God willing, call back to see your lovely work, too!
Shaz in Oz.x
"And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.  And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it:.." Revelation 21:23, 24

I would like to link over to:
Word Art Wednesday - anything goes    http://wordartwednesday.blogspot.com.au
Roses of Inspiration over at the lovely Stephanie's - no#50!!
http://theenchantingrose.blogspot.com.au/2016/02/roses-of-inspiration-50.html

 

15 comments:

Betsy said...

Hello Shaz. What an amazingly well written post. It's as though you were in my heart when you wrote these words. I have lost two dear friends this week. Both were women who loved the Lord and although there is no weeping for them, those of us left behind are mourning a life to be lived without them and their ready wit and advice that was full of Godly wisdom. Thank you my friend.
Blessings,
Betsy

kiwimeskreations said...

Yes, grief is good - let us never forget that. We hurt, and when we are comforted, we know how to comfort others with the same comfort we have received (sorry , can't find the reference to this).
Your cards are beautiful
Blessings
Maxine

brenda said...

A very emotional but heartfelt post Shaz, sometimes it's good to put things in writing as it helps to gain perspective.

Two stunningly elegant cards.

Hope you have a good weekend.

B x

Brenda said...

Thank you for this post Sharon! It was well written and very thoughtful. Yes, grief is good. It is what brings us closer to the Lord. Grief is a part of life, grief has to be lived and experienced. It is hard to lose someone you love, even though you know they are in a better place, it is just natural to grieve them, to grieve what "you" have lost as well. So grieve we do. I have always prayed a lot, but I have found that since losing my husband, I pray even more. Granted some of my "talks" with the Lord aren't what they should be, some are just "why". But I always get a sense of peace when I pray to the Lord even though I'm still broken hearted over losing my husband. The Lord comforts me, He lets me know that things are going to be ok. Isn't this is the grand scheme of God's plan? His son was flesh and blood, who better to grieve with us, who better to know the feelings us sinners have when we lose a loved one. Even though He knows He will raise them up again. Yes, a very good post Sharon and I truly thank you for writing it! The card is just beautiful as is the artwork. Thank you for sharing them and this post with us. Hugs, Brenda

Conniecrafter said...

Wonderful post, yes I think it is good to grieve, we can be happy for them and the place they are now but be sad that we can share life with them anymore. Your cards are just lovely and I am sure brought strength and peace with them, hugs to you as you grieve and go on

Marilyn Mathis said...

Dearest Shaz, I love your comments. There is a song that says, "Tears are a language God understands". Truly He understands our tears and in Psalm 56:8 it says, "... put thou my tears into thy bottle: are they not in thy book?"
Tears are such a release when we grieve. Even Jesus wept when Lazarus, His friend, died. So He understands. Thanks for being the special person you are. Hugs.

Kathleen said...

My theory is, if there is no grief or sorrow, then you really don't appreciate the pleasures, you just take it all for granted and it is not.
Some really lovely cards Shaz. Hope all is well with you and yours.

Kath x

Cathy said...

Lovely cards Shaz and such comforting words, Cathy x

Gail said...

Comforting post, and wonderful cards! I really like the 'cattail' embossing on the bottom card!

Pia S said...

I haven't needed any sympathy cards for some time, but will make some soon, they're difficult to make, impossible once they're needed. Yours are lovely.

Karen Letchworth said...

Hello, Shaz. I am so grateful to you for sharing your art and your heart. I also appreciate you linking your wonderful cards (and blog posts) to our challenges. I'm grateful and blessed beyond words. I pray that God will bless you as you create, share, and serve Him with your talents.
Blessings to you,
Karen
Word Art Wednesday

Stephanie said...

My dear, sweet Shaz, what a beautiful, encouraging, and powerful message! This was a precious blessing to read, dear one.

Thank you for sharing with Roses of Inspiration. Hugs and joy to you!

vic said...

Hi shaz thank you for your sweet comment on my blog I'm so sorry to hear about your loss and your friends who have lost their closest ones, but your words are lovely and your cards are simply beautiful
Hugs to you
Vic

Shelly Schmidt said...

Two beautiful cards. And, what a heartfelt posting- so sorry for your loss. I say Good Grief alot..... I do not think it is negative either, and do know God uses suffering and sadness to bring us closer to him and allows us to show our trust and confidence in him too.

Jo Ann said...

Awesome creations, as always! So blessed you joined our previous Challenge and hope you join us again in our current Challenge at Word Art Wednesday. Leaving you with the encouragement only the Word of God can provide in James 1:12 which tells us, "Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test he will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him." Have a blessed weekend.

JO ANN
http://jatterburycreations.blogspot.com

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