2025 – this is not how I imagined starting the year.
Before Tuesday 7th January, I was focused on blogging about what I was looking forward to in 2025, including new year’s resolutions and fresh goals. But as the evening wound down, I received a phone call that still feels like a bad dream. I learned that my beloved Grandma had passed away.
The Timing was all wrong
There’s never an ideal time to lose someone, but losing someone so close at the start of a new year has left me heartbroken. This year was supposed to be a continuation of making things right and fixing what didn’t go as planned last year. I had been praying for my grandmother and truly believed this would be the year we’d hear about her healing and restoration.
Each day, I’ve been practicing how to feel better and grow stronger, trying not to let grief or sorrow overwhelm me. But if I’m honest, it’s a lot to process. Without my faith, my mental health would have suffered significantly. My uncle shared a Bible verse the day after she passed, and meditating on it whenever I feel overwhelmed has been like “calming the storm” with God’s word.
The scripture is 1 Thessalonians 4:14-16, which reads:
“But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the Word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first. Then we who are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds to meet the Lord in the air. And thus we shall always be with the Lord. Be comforted by these words.”
The Unpredictability of Life
Life doesn’t always align with our plans – it has its own course. Globally, it feels like life has been throwing curveballs everywhere. I was reading the news and it’s devastating seeing so many people lose their lives and livelihoods over the fires in California. Its all around us without even turning on the news, just events that make you wonder what life is all about. There’s so many people hurting and different events happening that make it all too overwhelming and it makes you feel hopeless and sad. It just takes one bit of news to change everything and you can be faced with challenges at any time. Life is so fragile. But it’s still important to give yourself grace to grieve and process emotions. This isn’t easy, but it’s necessary for healing.
Finding Faith in the Storm
Faith has been my greatest source of strength and comfort. Reading scriptures like Psalm 23 and descriptions of heaven have become more alive and real to me now than ever before.
Faith in times like these after losing a loved one can be all you have but that’s what makes faith so real. It’s with you and does not change. God does not change, He is true and an “ever present help”, He calls himself the comforter, He is the source of strength when we are weak, He never leaves nor forsakes us. Having faith will lift you and give you strength to move on like you never knew because there is HOPE. Hope for you and hope for the person who has gone before you.
People have been so helpful sending messages and ringing up just to check up on me and its truly humbling to know that there’s people who care. As much as it is tempting to switch off your phone and shut people out because you want space, I think it’s so important to be surrounded by others to let out all the emptions you are feeling, even the doubts and questions, people may not have the answers, but they are with you trying to help.
The fact that I believe in God has given me reassurance that not only is my grandmother resting in peace, but she is still very much alive with the Lord and in Heaven. This is why scripture has all the sudden become so much more real. I can’t see it with my physical eyes but when I close my eyes, in my mind I can see her as scripture says “with a glorified body”, no sickness, no pain, walking the streets of gold, worshipping Jesus with the angels. My nan was a Chiefteness and from a Royal bloodline where she’s from, but no earthly respect she’s ever received or mansion she has ever stepped on can compare to the house that is currently her permanent home with Jesus. John 14:2 “In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you.”
Reframing the Year Ahead
This year is a journey toward healing and growth. Some days, the grief feels unbearable, but other days are filled with joy as I share memories of my grandmother with my husband and family. We are now able to laugh and cry, feel all these different and real emotions and somehow move on with these memories of her, reminding us of the amazing woman she was.
As dark as 2025 has started, I’m holding onto the belief that “it’s always darkest before the dawn.” The light is coming, and it will outshine the darkness.
Building Strength and Gratitude
Even in hard times, I’ve found reasons to be grateful. My grandmother is healed and at peace with Jesus. Reflecting on her life and her new eternal home fills me with comfort.
This season of grief has built resilience and spiritual growth. Whenever I feel overwhelmed, I ask myself if I truly believe God’s word. The answer is always YES!
Here are three things that have helped me:
- Reading and meditating on scripture. I visualize my grandmother in the settings described in scripture, these bring immense comfort.
- Prayer. In moments of sleeplessness, anxiety and weakness, I turn to prayer, and God’s peace surrounds me.
- Speaking with family. Sharing our grief and memories has kept us strong together. It’s nice to know I am not alone.
Finding Joy in the Memories
When we think of our loved ones, we should try to focus on the joy they brought to our lives. They wouldn’t want us to be sad; they’d want us to find happiness and peace.
I hope this blog helps you in some way. Talking is so important – whether it’s with God through prayer, with family, friends, or a support group. If you’re going through something similar, please know you’re not alone. The year will get better. It’s okay to grieve; it’s human. But don’t let the dark moments keep you down. With faith and hope, look forward to what’s ahead. 2025.
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