Isaiah 61:3 “Provide for those who grieve in Zion -- to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.”
After the death of Katie, it seemed that everywhere I turned I ran into mothers who had experienced the death of a child. I just assumed it was something only I was dealing with, but I soon discovered there were many moms devastated, crushed, and trying to figure out how to live on. They were moms just like me. I soon found that as I reached out in compassion to them I soon found my way to healing, be it ever so slow, but I was healing. We will soon have a chance to attend the Umbrella Ministries conference. This is a place where other moms are dealing with the same trials as you. Some are farther along in their journey and some are just starting down this path of healing. Action is the antidote to despair and as you attend this conference, you are taking an action. I remember when I first told family and friends I was going to attend this conference, I usually would get the same reaction. I could see their concern for me. They would ask me if this would be a safe place or if it would be a place of complete devastation and despair. I too was afraid when I decided to attend my first conference. I had no idea of what I would be walking into. What I have found is there is strength in numbers. There is comfort and hope and wisdom among moms who have found themselves on this path of grief. I have seen moms arrive on Friday night without a glimmer of hope in their eyes, and I have seen them leave on Sunday realizing this will not be an easy journey, but it is one they must take and one that will eventually give them a new destiny. I would like to encourage you to attend this conference. Open your hearts to someone you can reach out to and lend a healing hand. We are instructed to comfort others, as we have been comforted. As we look beyond our own devastation, to others who are hurting, I believe that is where our healing begins.
- Michele
