Bearing Joy and the Other Side of It

“Friendship improves happiness and abates misery, by the doubling of our joy and the dividing of our grief.” ~ Marcus Tullius Cicero

Exactly a month ago today I had the opportunity to do something else that fills me with JOY. I attended a book signing and met a newly published author. Fulfilling feelings come with seeing other writers accomplish their goals. Why? Because I can fully relate to the commitment and hard work it takes.

The book event was an integral part of a Blue Christmas Luncheon hosted by Maryland Presbyterian Church. Beth Scibienski’s publication Who Is God When We Hurt: A Pastor-Caregiver wrestles with loss, grief, faith and doubt could not have been more appropriate for the day. Individuals who were looking for ways to get through the holidays while grieving their own personal losses were brought together through the event.

As I sat in the pew, hearing readings from Pastor Beth’s book and listening to the words of soft melodic songs accompanied by her guitar playing, I witnessed insight into to a question Beth Scibienski poses in one of her blog postings. “I wonder,” she asks, “what limits people might have for sadness.”

That day each person’s grief was carried very differently, in a variety of depths. One persons grief was no more important to acknowledge then the others. By the end of the luncheon and book talk, it seemed we all found some level of comfort in knowing we are not alone in our grief.

Each short chapter of the publication takes the reader on a different leg of an honest journey of a wife(who is a pastor) facing her husband’s progressive disease and eventual loss.  This book is a wonderful example of why writing for healing is so very important, and how the world needs more experienced people to help others through this type of writing process.

Thank you Pastor Beth Scibienski for coming to Maryland Presbyterian Church to share your family’s story. Your publication will help many people in dealing with difficult days.