Bereaved Parent's Prayer

Heavenly Father, please help me to deal with the death of my child. I am frozen with this overwhelming grief. I don’t understand why my life is filled with this pain and heartache, but I turn my eyes to You as I seek to find strength and trust in Your faithfulness. You, Lord are a God of comfort and love, and I ask you to help me to patiently wait on You and not despair. My heart is crushed, but I know You will not abandon me, and You have a plan for my life. Help me to accept this loss as part of Your plan. You came to heal the brokenhearted, so I know You are with me now. Only You can heal my sorrow. I ask for Your comfort. Though I can’t see past today, You know all things. Please give me hope again and show me Your plan for my life. Show me how to survive day by day. Show me how to make lemonade out of this lemon, and who You want me to share it with. Help me to be sensitive to Your leading and guidance, and lead me into my new life. In the name of Jesus I pray. Amen.

Find this and other prayers at http://www.grief2joy.com/view/prayers.aspx

Positive Quotes from Dr. Ben Carson

Here are some inspiring quotes from Dr. Benjamin Carson:

“Success is determined not by whether or not you face obstacles, but by your reaction to them. And if you look at these obstacles as a containing fence, they become your excuse for failure. If you look at them as a hurdle, each one strengthens you for the next.”

“Successful people don't have fewer problems. They have determined that nothing will stop them from going forward.”

“If we acknowledge our need for God, he will help us.”

“I have to come to realize that God does not want to punish us, but rather, to fulfill our lives. God created us, loves us and wants to help us to realize our potential so that we can be useful to others.”

I hope you are inspired. Also visit www.grief2joy.com.

Jacqui

Take Care of Yourself

 I have been feeling under pressure for a few months now, and things have finally come to a head. Today I went to the doctor and was prescribed an anti-depressant and also a medication to help me sleep. For the past few months, I have been having trouble staying asleep at night and have been only getting 4 to 5 hours of sleep on most nights which makes me very tired all day. I’m in the process of relocating back to my home state of Maryland as well as more stress and more hours at work. I am also taking online classes to get my business degree. And of course there are the never-ending thoughts of my daughter who I will never see again in this life. Because of my daughter’s death in 2007, a few years ago I was diagnosed with depression which includes anxiety, heart palpitations, sleeplessness, irritability, forgetfulness, crying spells, and suicidal thoughts. Recently, all of these symptoms have come back, and that’s why I had see the doctor today. I also asked my doctor for a list of therapists and counselors that I can talk to. I will start making some phone calls tomorrow to find the best one for me.

The point I want to make with today’s message is that, if you need help, GET IT and get it soon! It will do you no good to put off getting the help you need and thinking that you can cope with these types of symptoms. As my doctor said to me today, there is nothing wrong with me. I am reacting and behaving in a normal way for someone who has been through what I’ve been through. Even suicidal thoughts are normal for parents who have lost a child. I want to see my daughter, so I would have to die myself in order to see her. There’s nothing wrong with that thought process unless, of course, I act on those suicidal feelings. Don’t be ashamed or afraid to talk to a professional about how you’re feeling. Believe me, doctors and counselors have heard it all and will not be shocked or surprised by anything you tell them. If you want to continue to improve your life and find joy and happiness again, sometimes you have to have help. Most of all, pray. God knows it all and can handle it all. In our weakness, He is strong.

Visit www.grief2joy.com to learn more. I look forward to getting to know about you and your child.

Love, Jacqui