We’re alike, you and I, in some ways. Unfortunately, one way we are no doubt similar is that we have suffered the loss of someone or something very dear to us.

About 20 years ago, I entered a three-year period in which I lost, among other things, a job I truly enjoyed and the love of my life, my husband. Of course, I continued on. Then, just two years ago I entered another period of loss.

The losses two decades ago were devastating emotionally. The more recent loss, which began abruptly mid-December 2024, has been physically debilitating.

In today’s devotion (Capturing Whimsy, Jan. 7), author Bob Goff points out something that I have totally missed every single time I’ve read the Scripture account of the death of Jesus’ beloved friend Lazarus.

You see, Jesus knew as soon as He learned of Lazarus’ death and before He even traveled to his grave that He was going to raise Lazarus from the dead. But when He arrived at the grave and Mary came out to meet Him, He did not quickly assure her of what He planned to do; he didn’t say “Stop crying, I’m going to fix this”.

Not at all. Even though He knew He was going to bring Lazarus back to life, he paused and joined Mary in her grief, and He wept with her!!

I think there are two important reminders for all of us here. First, if we really want to follow Christ’ example, it is perfectly appropriate to resist rushing in to try to “fix” a loss and to instead mourn it. Oh, we shouldn’t wallow in our grief, but we should acknowledge it and express it appropriately as the first step in the healing process.

The second thing to remember is that just as Jesus entered into Mary’s grief with her, He is also with us when we grieve a loss.