What we call holy

All human loss, forgotten and refused
A river of sorrow runs deep, through and through
Loneliness drowns out all other things
Sometimes our pain does not carry wings

But if we take the time to make all human loss sacred
We’ll learn how to make love out of sadness
To remember each one, to forgive what was done
Let go of our grief, and become someone

Our pain has purpose, it lives and it grows
It isn't a thing to be buried in the snow
If we could just open our eyes to the paths we must go
We'd see that each loss, is always a blessing, you know

So take off the chains of your loss and despair
Know that it can be a source of strength and repair
We can make each tear a pathway through fear
Turn human loss sacred and give it a name so clear

For it's in the depths of our suffering
That we learn to learn and start believing
May we draw strength from each other's pain
To bring peace and compassion and joy once again

When I consider the terror and displacement of what people in wartorn countries must endure or the aftereffects of earthquakes, grand floods, and tragic loss of loved ones  - I can't help but feel fortunate, in comparison. 

Nevertheless, when I experience(d) key losses of marriage relationships, church, and friends, what resulted was an overflowing grief, resentment, and deep personal rejection; a devastation of self-identity.

The personal doubt which grief creates about evil or the goodness of humanity - is a hell on earth. 

Evil is evil, so it seems ludicrous to honor any form of human suffering and loss. Therefore, it is not the evil that I am talking about-but to that which is greater: our invitation to participate in Grace.

If we only considered deep human trauma, and grief as nothing more than a vacuum of emptiness and loss - we would remain with an even greater loss.

“Let not this grief be wasted.”

Through my most emotionally painful moments, I pray to "that which is greater than I," to open my mind and heart to see the grace underlying it all. Then, I wait in calm and trust for divine wisdom, ...and, it does come, it always has.

The loss does not necessarily go away or become less important. But through divine wisdom, and the inner work of recovery, and transformation, I've come to realize that what I've truly lost are my fantasies, illusions, and false idols. And, I much rather accept and live in truth. Once I've reached that point, I no longer deeply grieve the vacumm of loss. For it has been replaced with a deeper emotional and spiritual maturity; a chance to generate new life, a life redeemed, and loved. And, not only to myself but towards others.

My faith in "God Alone," and self-acceptance deepens, and the beauty and gratitude of creation refills what was once held as a void.

Even more so, as my body ages to its demise, I wish to deepen my gratitude for all the gifts this life has brought me. Recognizing, many of these gifts have come through the good of my life, as well as a result of personal loss. 

Ps. Comments welcomed