There is just no preparation for sudden loss.
It feels like a tidal wave engulfs you.
And while I was thankful, for all the cards and books I received from friends, there was one book, that literally saved me.
Riches Stored In Secret Places, by Verdell Davis, reached down into that ocean of darkness, and the awful grief that had enveloped me.
It was Verdell, with her raw and real response to her own grief that lifted me out of the pit of despair I had fallen into, and began the slow process of bringing me back into God’s healing Light.
All those hurting prayers, gave an echoing voice to my own pain, and gently nudged me out of the darkness that was threatening to drown me.
Tidal waves of grief are no match for our broken prayers.
This is because the power to overcome grief does not come from our words.
The power we need to go on; to begin again; resides in, and comes from, the One who hears our prayers.
Therefore, to anyone who may be walking through unspeakable grief this holiday season?
I humbly recommend this little book.
I hope that Verdell’s story, with her sweet prayers, will bring you the same comfort that she brought to me.
Here is her first, from Chapter One, Rogue Winds and Rainbows.
Lord, the storms come, and we cry out in our agony that life is unfair. We doubt your love and question your goodness. And the pain often blinds us to the rainbows of your presence.
The fear that life will never be good again keeps us clinging to the shreds of what we had instead of allowing you to build a new and deeper life out of our brokenness.
Help us, Father, to remember in these dark days the things we know to be true about you, the things that seem so easy to believe when life feels good.
Help us to cling tenaciously to the promises that your love is unfailing, your strength is made known in our weakness, and you will never leave us or forsake us.
Give us the grace to offer up to you our tear-stained praises for being our anchor in the storm.
Amen.
You can still find this book!
I believe Riches Stored In Secret Places is out of print now, but you can still find nice copies at various sites online, as well as Amazon.
Be content to be a simple sheep, listening for My voice and following Me. I will lead you into green pastures and guide you along paths of righteousness.
— Sarah Young, Jesus Calling
Women With Destiny 