FEBRUARY 22
We are called to live with integrity, to express the truth as
we perceive it, and to trust God’s ability to use what we offer.
—ELIZABETH J. CANHAMAnd if what we have to offer, right now, is only our pain?
Well, then, let us offer that. If pain and grief are our deepest
reality, then we must acknowledge that reality. If we try to
gloss over it, perpetually looking the other way, we will fool
no one, especially ourselves. Like a wound that is not ex-
posed to air and healing light, this wound will take longer
to heal and will cost us more in the long run.
This doesn’t mean that we need to spend every moment
of every day wallowing in grief—though there will be times
when that pretty well describes the way we feel. We will
want, both for our own sake and for the sake of those around
us, to put a cap on our grief for a while and relate to the
world in a more casual way.
When grief is fresh and overwhelming, that is the truth
as we perceive it, and to act out of that is not only our own
necessity, but also a witness to those around us that sadness
is honorable and to be trusted. The journey through grief
has a varied landscape but no permanent detours.
My grief is a heavy enough burden right now. I will not add to
that the burden of trying to camouflage who I am.