Lament 

Lament. What does this word mean? It’s not used much in today’s world. Lament means to mourn, to regret deeply, or to grieve. 

A vast majority of our country, and those in other countries as well, are grieving. The grief isn’t solely on behalf of a young man killed for his willingness to stand for right things. It is the deep regret of realizing that we haven’t stood up as we should for those same right things. 

We grieve because we have been shown, quite vividly, the magnitude of evil that surrounds us on a daily basis. And how badly out-of-control we’ve allowed this evil to grow by simply doing little-to-nothing. 

I went to church today. The first time in a very long time. I know I need more of Jesus in my life. It’s been a deep ache for quite a while now. This past week just pushed me a little harder to do something.

I tried to pull what I could out of the message, but I didn’t get what I wanted. I still feel, well…weird, for lack of a better description. So I need to do some soul searching on what I felt was lacking. It could be simply that weirdness I can seem to shake. Or, the feeling of being lost in this chaotic world. 

Maybe I was needing a hug or some type of confirmation from a stranger who went through the same difficult week as me. Perhaps, I just need deeper conversations with God to help me be more receptive. 

But one takeaway from the message was found in the word lament. Lament is a time to grieve freely. Not hurriedly, or in shame for taking this time for yourself. Grieving is a gift. It allows us to feel what it is to be human. Grieving comes from the heart and the deepest recesses of the soul. It is good for you. It brings about an awareness. And I truly mean it when I say it is a gift. 

My daughter-in-law and I had this conversation the other day. We were discussing how we should allow ourselves to feel physical pain instead of burying it deep with pot, alcohol, or pharmaceuticals. Feeling every emotion and pain lets us know we are alive. 

So lament if you need to, but don’t allow yourself to fall back into stagnation afterwards. Be watchful. Be mindful. Be willing to learn. Be willing to speak up. And to God give all the glory. 

♥️

Andi

Photo credits: my daughter, Charlie