Grief

Out of the Mouth of Babes

by Janice S Ramkissoon 
05/09/14
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“Out of the mouth of babes and sucklings hast thou ordained strength because of thine enemies, that thou mightest still the enemy and the avenger”--Psalm 8:2 (KJV).

Grieving takes place when we lose something or someone.  In the midst of the pain there will always be signs to keep us on the path to recovery. Yesterday it was the voice of my three year old niece that ignited the praise in me. Hearing the words, “I love you Auntie Janice!” was healing oil to my grieving soul.

Grieving takes place as a result of:

• Bereavement...


• Change in the dynamics of a relationship...


• Loss of a job...


• Long-term unemployment...


• Migration...


• Bullying or other forms of oppression…  

Sometimes change in a relationship (business or personal) brings on the process of grieving in a similar way to the death of a loved one.  We can spend a long time in shock...denial...anger or depression before finally coming to a place of acceptance.

I have been down that road many times before.  The first few times it took many years to come to a place of acceptance. This could possibly be due to the fact that it was a new experience. It could also be due to the fact that I didn’t have the necessary support to help with the recovery process. Then as time went by and God provided a support network around me it seemed to have gotten easier. I began to bounce back a little quicker after each subsequent loss. 

Recent tragedies have taken its toll emotionally. However, I have found myself rising on angel wings. God laid it on the heart of a friend to pray. She sent a text to let me know I was in her thoughts and prayers. The following day I shared with her and felt the release I needed to move one step further.  Several other events throughout this week helped to remind me that God is with me. 

I am now sharing with you some of those joyous moments to remind you that God is with you and that nothing is too big for His power or too small for His care. That was the reminder I got from a children’s song that was taught to us on Sunday during family service.  When we remember that “He’s the God of the big, God of the little, God of the stuff somewhere in the middle. King of the moving mountains…” and that He loves us more than we will ever know, it will keep our minds stayed on Him and we will take our cares to Him and stay worry-free.  That reminder was  one of the many things that brought joy to me this week.  Here are a few others:

Yesterday I thought to myself:

• Joy is hearing my 3 year old niece, saying, "I love you Auntie Janice!" Priceless!


• Joy is hearing words of encouragement which reminds me that I am not alone, "We'll help you get through it!" I am now surrounded by people who actually care.

Today I thought to myself:

• Joy is spending time removing the weeds from the garden, while allowing God to speak to me through various avenues --that's therapy!


• Joy is getting confirmation on what to do next--from three separate sources! I love it when that happens.

It is good to know that even in the valley of the shadow of death, God is with me--reminding me that He will never leave me nor forsake me. That's the beauty of the God I serve. And that is why I find the following Bible verses very encouraging:

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding;  in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight” Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV).

Obedience is better than sacrifice! I sometimes suffer for it but in the end, I experience the flow of blessings from being obedient. In the book of James (chapter 1) I am told to count it all joy whenever I face trials of many kinds. Why am I told to do that? I am encouraged to do so because the testing of my faith produces perseverance. Therefore, I must adhere to verse 4 which says, "Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything."

I pray that my sharing will encourage you to be intentional about finding the little things that God brings into your life to ignite your joy and that you will take the next step in being a blessing to someone on their journey. Be encouraged! Keep looking for the signs and stay on the path of healing.

Your sister in Christ,

Janice S Ramkissoon

9^th May 2014