Parables of Grief--The Gift of Being Acquainted with Grief

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Today's story is about a fiery furnace. In his talk, "The Triumph of Hope" from October 2024's general conference, Elder Neil L. Anderson says, "As we strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ, we see beyond our struggles to the blessings and promises of eternity."

In Daniel 3, there are three heroes: Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego. These three men were rulers under King Nebuchadnezzar. King Nebuchadnezzar builds a big statue out of gold and tells all the people in his kingdom that they have to worship it every time that music plays. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego refuse to do so. They are brought before the king for their rebellion and their dissent. He tells them that the consequence for their disobedience is that they will be cast into a fiery furnace and killed. But Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego do not waver in their refusal to worship any god but their own. In this spirit, they say to the king, "If it be so, our God, whom we serve, is able to deliver us from the burning fiery furnace, and he will deliver us out of thy hand, o king. But if not, be it known unto thee, o king, that we will not serve thy gods nor worship the golden image which thou hast set up."

What if our miracle doesn't look like we thought it would? What if we are put into the fiery furnace of grief and loss?

I did feel the Savior hold me together and help me to bear the burden and the fire that ensued when my husband died. The second time that I felt very strongly was about a week after my husband died. I went to the temple with a friend and did sealings. In that place of beauty and light, I felt angels come and I felt them sew me back together. When I saw my husband's body, it felt as though a train of reality had gone through the middle of me and I was split open and bleeding. I felt I had this big missing piece out of the middle of me, and I felt angels sew me back together. I testify that I was not forsaken, I was not abandoned in my fire.

Jesus Christ can succor us in a way that is unique to us, and I testify that God is still good, even if miracles do not happen the way we hope. Even if we are thrown into the fire, the Savior will not leave us alone. He will not forsake us. The word "succor" comes from a Latin word which means "to run to," and I testify that the Lord will run to you in your pain.

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If you would like more grief support please see my website at Mamabearwendy.com for upcoming grief groups and 1:1 opportunities.

Although your experience and path will be unique, there is hope ahead in this path and you are not alone. I can see your pain and we will walk this road together. Here is a big bear hug from Mama Bear Wendy, your fierce support in the journey of grief, until next time.

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"Wendy has a beautiful way of sitting in the deep end of the ocean with you. Her presence alone is healing. She meets you where you’re at and doesn’t push you any further than where you want to go. She gently nudges you into new places with new perspectives. She is highly intuitive, sensitive and compassionate. She brings a depth to the table you rarely see. Her experiences have given her an extraordinary level of understanding and a safe place to walk to as she is a safe harbor fill of strength and integrity. She is raw and real and beautifully vulnerable and she is exceptional at conveying the words that are hard to find. She is a rare one." Christi D.