After a tragic loss in our lives, it seems impossible to give anything away. After all, we‘ve just lost a loved one unexpectedly. There is a huge hole in our hearts, and I understand that completely. But perhaps the years have slipped away for you, as they have for me, but you are still in the habit of keeping, collecting, and holding on to the past with all of its pain.
A very good first step to healing is giving yourself away. It is openly doing something in kindness to others. Share your smile with a stranger, bake cookies for a neighbor, speak kindly to a cranky co-worker—give yourself away in a deliberate act of kindness. It is true that we reap what we sow, and if we sow kindness, it will be returned to us.
This is a promise from God, “Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy. Those who go out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with them.” When you are too sad to be a part of anything good, you CAN cry and serve at the same time. You do the work of kindness and return, carrying the sheaves, and the “sheaves” are the results of your work which produces JOY!
God‘s promises will always hold truth—with kindness comes peace, and even joy. Don’t be afraid to give yourself away, the blessing will be yours to enjoy.
”Make no mistake about this: You can never make a fool out of God. Whatever you plant is what you’ll harvest.” Galatians 6:7 GW
Praying for you, my friend,
Elaine Kennelly
Author
“Finding Peace After a Suicide Loss”