HER LIFE SPEAKS
  • About
  • THE BEAUTY PROJECT
  • Stories
  • SMALL GROUPS
  • GIRLS MINISTRY
    • GIRLS' STORIES
  • PRAYER
  • DONATE

STORIES

I’m Just Passing Through

1/2/2021

4 Comments

 
Picture
By April Sliwak
Founder

Can we just say… ahhhhh…. GOOD-BYE 2020. 

I think we can all agree that 2020 was the most unusual year we’ve ever had, at least in my lifetime. It was a year of loss, disappointment, and anger. But I’d like to be honest and tell you that on top of all the events and emotions that took place in the world, some of us, including myself, were dealing with added pain of grieving someone close to you. This kind of suffering was new to me and something I’ve never experienced before. Grief is hard.

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted; he saves those whose spirits are crushed. Psalm 34:18​

It was a year ago that my father passed away. By God’s grace, we just had a beautiful weekend together doing some of his favorite things; playing cards, eating good food, and telling stories. That evening God called him home. It was shocking and heartbreaking yet as a believer, I felt peaceful. In hindsight, I was so thankful the Lord gave us that last weekend together. Then on a turn of events, (a calendar page), the year 2020 was upon us with all of its uncertainties and loss. 

My grief grew and it was all around me. It followed me like a shadow, it was enhanced with every new worldly news event and with the void of family and friends. I didn’t see my mom on Easter, which was hard because it was the first time without my father and without my mother. A family wedding was postponed, family traditions were broken like gathering for Thanksgiving and birthdays. My friends who are so important to me, still haven’t been together in our usual ways. Grief, loss, pain, anger, brokenheartedness, tears. Anybody? Then one day out of the blue in November, my daughter texted me:

But our citizenship is in heaven, and from it we await a Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. Philippians 3:20​

It still brings me to tears as I write this. That was it for me. I snapped out of it and remembered that everything we see through our broken eyes and flesh, is temporary. All of it. I’m passing through this season in history. It doesn’t make the grief less real, just less painful because my hope is in my citizenship in heaven; my permanent home, my everlasting home, without pain and suffering, with my dad, and with Jesus.

How about you? Believer, knowing that our time here is temporary how does this help you to have peace going forward in 2021? 

If you want to become a follower of Christ, simply ask the Savior to come into your life, admitting you are a sinner, asking for forgiveness and do your best to turn from your sin. Jesus will live in your heart and you will be a citizen with Him in heaven forever.
​
I’d love to hear your comments on grief, loss and hope. God loves you.

4 Comments
Susanne Ciancio
1/6/2021 01:56:05 pm


Hi April, thanks for sharing your grief with us...it’s so personal and tender and current...and yet hopeful. In my life I’ve connected more through shared griefs than any other life experience—-what makes you happy may not be my delight but what makes you sad almost always makes me sad, too.
So even in our grief our lives are speaking and we can connect! Lord, help us to grieve a little every day and worship a little every day. ✝️

Reply
April Sliwak
1/7/2021 04:28:51 pm

Thank you Susanne for kind words. I love what you said, "what makes you sad almost always makes me sad, too". You're right. Empathy is a wonderful thing. Amen to your prayer! Love, April xx

Reply
Susanne Ciancio
1/6/2021 02:05:36 pm


Hi April, thanks for sharing your grief with us...it’s so personal and tender and current...and yet hopeful. In my life I’ve connected more through shared griefs than any other life experience—-what makes you happy may not be my delight but what makes you sad almost always makes me sad, too.
So even in our grief our lives are speaking and we can connect! Lord, help us to grieve a little every day and worship a little every day. ✝️

Reply
Tom Gerber link
10/31/2023 08:28:06 pm

Goood reading your post

Reply



Leave a Reply.

    Stories

    Her Life Speaks is all about Her testimony, Her life, and who God is in Her story. Here we write our stories in hopes of helping other women find their relationship with Jesus Christ.

    Archives

    January 2024
    September 2023
    July 2023
    June 2023
    April 2023
    March 2023
    September 2022
    July 2022
    June 2022
    May 2022
    April 2022
    March 2022
    January 2022
    October 2021
    September 2021
    June 2021
    April 2021
    March 2021
    February 2021
    January 2021
    December 2020
    November 2020
    September 2020
    August 2020
    July 2020
    June 2020
    January 2020
    August 2019
    July 2019
    June 2019
    May 2019
    April 2019
    March 2019
    February 2019
    January 2019
    December 2018
    November 2018
    October 2018
    September 2018
    July 2018
    June 2018
    May 2018
    April 2018
    February 2018
    January 2018
    November 2017
    October 2017
    August 2017
    July 2017
    June 2017
    May 2017
    April 2017

    RSS Feed

Her life speaks​™ | [email protected]

​© 2018 Her Life Speaks. All Rights Reserved
  • About
  • THE BEAUTY PROJECT
  • Stories
  • SMALL GROUPS
  • GIRLS MINISTRY
    • GIRLS' STORIES
  • PRAYER
  • DONATE