I’m Melody Berrong and this is how I’m living deeply.

“When I lost my dad, I thought how much better it would have been if I had been able to say goodbye. But yesterday as I sat by my grandpa’s beside as he lay dying from Covid, praying that God would go ahead and take him home, I realized this isn’t any better. There isn’t a good way to face death. I struggle with parts of the church that just put on a happy face. I’m much more drawn to people who cling to Jesus even in suffering. This hurts. It hurts a lot. It’s just such an odd combination of emotions, the deep pain of loss yet the ability to hope all at the same time.
‘But we do not want you to be uninformed brothers, about those who are asleep, that you may not grieve as others do who have no hope, for since we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so, through Jesus, God will bring with him those who have fallen asleep.’ 1 Thessalonians 4:12-15
I can imagine how excited dad is to show grandpa around and introduce him to everyone. This is hard for us but not hard for them.
‘The Lord is near to the broken-hearted and saves the crushed in spirit.’ Psalm 34:18.
There is still work left for those of us here, grandma, mom (who has now lost a husband and a dad), and my brother. I pray we all honor Him and glorify Him and point to Him the way He wants us to thru all this.” Romans 8:28, and all of Hebrews 12- look it up.