Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: Mercy (01/15/26)
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TITLE: The Support Group - Part Two | Previous Challenge Entry
By Pamela Kliewer
01/22/26 -
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What am I supposed to do with this grief? Just last week when the ladies were here for support group, I was able to encourage and pray for Jenny, and now here I am, in need of support myself. I thought I was past needing support. Thought I was stronger.
Continuing to stare out the window, not really seeing anything, Tammy felt a tear roll down her cheek. She swiped at it with the back of her hand in frustration.
I better pull myself together. The girls will be here soon and I'm not even dressed yet.
Forcing herself to rise from her chair, she walked slowly to the bedroom, the weight of grief still heavy on her, like fatigue after a poor night's sleep.
All I really want to do is call everyone and cancel. I can't though. They depend on me.
Taking a deep breath, Tammy yanked clothes off of hangers, got dressed and quickly did her hair and makeup.
One by one Madeline, Pearl, Amy, Stacy, and Jenny arrived, putting their wet umbrellas in the plastic-lined basket near the door. “Go ahead into the kitchen. We'll sit around the table. Help yourself to coffee, tea or hot cocoa.” she told each one as they arrived.
They were all soon sitting with hands wrapped around mugs of hot beverages, chatting about the rain, saying how needed it was.
There was a lull in the conversation. “Tammy, are you okay?” Pearl asked. “You don't look yourself today.”
Oh great. I was hoping no one would notice. “I'm fine, just tired,” she said.
“Tammy. Didn't you just tell us last week that this is a safe place to share it all? I can tell you're hurting. Please let us be a support to you. That's what you said we're well here for; to be a support to one another on this journey we're each on.”
Some of the women nodded, others murmured agreement, all looked at her with compassion.
Silent tears flowed down Tammy's cheeks. Pearl and Anna, sitting on either side of her, put their hands on her shoulders. “Thank you,” she whispered. This is a hard time of year for me. I thought I was past this kind of grief, but I guess it can still be hard. It's coming up on fifteen years for me, since my husband passed away, and this year would also be our 45th anniversary.”
“Oh, Tammy, I'm so sorry. I understand,” Pearl said. “I've had those hard moments too. I hope you don't mind if I share a Scripture I just read this morning, that helped me in my grief.”
“No, of course, I don't mind. Please, go ahead.”
Pearl pulled a well-worn Bible from the blue and white striped bag next to her chair on the floor, pages rustling softly as she found her place. “Here it is. Psalm 136:1 'Oh, give thanks to the LORD for He is good! For His mercy endures forever.' My heart was drawn to the word, mercy. I looked it up and one definition I found was God's loyal love, His covenant love to His people. That blessed me so much, to know that God shows mercy to me, in my times of grief. He's loyal in His love towards me. His mercy will always be there for me, no matter what. He will be with me in my pain, loyal in loving me. Does that make sense?”
“Yes, thank you for that. I know God is near. Thank you for the reminder of His mercy. I'd never thought of it like that before.”
“You're welcome. I will be praying for you, for all of us, to remember His mercy, His loyal, covenant love toward us, knowing He is always there for us in our times of sorrow.”
The women talked a bit more, sharing stories of their husbands, some bringing laughter, others tears, but through it all the bond between them deepened in their shared pain.
Shutting the door after the last lady left, Tammy said, out loud, “Thank You, God, for Your mercy that endures forever. Please remind me of it, often. Forgive me, Lord, for my frustration earlier, and thank You, for your mercy there too.”
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