Relying on Faith and Strength After a Loss

As the environment around me was facing the heat of the summer, my world became like a harsh cold winter. Ecclesiastes 3 (ASV) is a constant reminder of life and the changes we experience. How times, events, and circumstances here on earth can change.  Sometimes these changes are gradual and other times they are instant. Like a blink of an eye what was familiar becomes unfamiliar. What was happy becomes sad, and what was normal becomes unnormal, and the list goes on. However, change happens whether we like it or not.  It is God’s plan for us to experience the joys and sometimes challenges in what we call “life”. According to this scripture, beginning at verse 1, “For everything there is a season, and a time for every purpose under heaven: 2 a time to be born, and a time to die…4 a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance…”.

For me, the times of weeping and mourning came in the month of July 2026. I experienced heartbreak on two levels and within seven days apart. My cousin passed away on July 24th and seven days later my dad passed away. They went onto glory to be with the Lord. 2 Corinthians 5:8 does encourage us that to be absence from the body is to be present with the Lord. I had to rely on God for strength for what appeared to be feelings of overwhelming loss. Sorrow gripped my soul and the thought that my dad would no longer be here on earth hurt. Yes, I have faith in God, but I miss my dad.

In general, the month of July was unusual for me because there were more people passing away. Social media informed me of friends and coworkers who have left this earthly realm. And now, the news of those dear to my heart passing away bought much more sorrow. I asked the Lord, “why so many deaths this month” and He spoke to my spirit and said, “what month is July, I thought, the seventh month of the year and He continue to speak to my heart and said, “what does the number seven mean?”. I said out loud seven is the number for completeness. As I did further research, I found that “July, as the seventh month in the Gregorian calendar, carries the biblical numerology of completeness and divine order, reflecting spiritual fulfillment and God’s perfect timing…”¹ 

Wow, I began to realize and believe God was letting me know that although the circumstances around the deaths resulted in heartache and pain, I can have faith and trust in Him. As Revelation 22:133 tells us, He is "Alpha and Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End". God knows everything from its begining to its end. The seventh month and seven days apart was a way, I believe, God was saying that He is in control, from beginning to end. The Lord brought to my mind the events that occurred that last day in July.  All along the Lord was preparing me as well as my dad for the day of transition. I did not know that exact day when he would transisiton. In fact, I did not want to hear the words my earthly father said months ago about this happening. When I visited he would say, "what would the world be like if no one left". I did not respond because they were words I did not want to hear, but they were words he wanted to say because he felt he would not be with us much longer. He had many words of comfort and I will treasure and keep those words in my heart.  I know that he loved us dearly. Also, I recall him saying, “don’t worry about people, they always have something to say. They think they are in control, but He [God] will show them who is the boss”.

Yes, in the seventh month, the month of completion and on the last day of this month, my daddy transitioned. God had controlled the narrative.  Although few commented on the day of his transition, but who are we to say anything on how things happened; it was how God wanted it to happen. The work that the Lord had for my cousin and dad was completed here on earth. The race they had on this earth realm was finished. They fulfilled what they were called to do in their time here on earth. Those who died in the Lord, have fulfilled their assignment on earth and I heard that they are continuing to use their giftings in Heaven.

My cousin’s talent was singing. As one of my relatives mentioned, he’s singing in the choir in Heaven. My dad had the gift of “words of wisdom”. Also, he loved to laugh and joke.  I could image him, now, sharing "words of wisdom" and laughing with joy. He had an act of inspiring those around him, and I was at awe at the nuggets of truth and life he shared with me. I will never forget the times he called, just to say hi and in the conversations, he would share “words of wisdom” that gave me a better understanding of situations. He knew what to say and when.

Yes, daddy, you’re right God will always show them who is the boss. I will truly miss my dad’s “talks” and the moments we shared.  These past weeks brought memories of him. I remembered that on my wedding day, my dad shed tears. He shed tears because his oldest daughter was getting married and leaving home. As he walked me down the aisle very slowly. Even the minister was impatient that he was walking me down so slow. However, he did not realize that my dad was cherishing every moment that he had with me before he would give me to my future husband. He not only walked but talked with me as we walked down the aisle. Just making sure that I was okay and letting me know that he will always be there.

I truly miss my dad; he was a great man! A time to mourn. This mourning has been surreal to me. It was as if I was in a bad dream and waiting to wake up. However, the arrangements for the “Home Going Celebrations” made me realize that they were no longer with us. It hurts, but I know God is in control. Some say that Christians are not to weep or mourn for those who depart from this earth. However, if this was true why would the Bible say that there is a time to mourn? (Ecclesiastes 3:4) Also, why would we read that Jesus wept? In Luke 19:41, Jesus wept over Jerusalem and in John 11:35 we read that Jesus wept over the death of Lazarus.

The Bible does not tell us that Jesus shed a tear, it said “He wept”. In Hebrew, the word {wept] most used is “bakah”, which translates to "to weep" or "to cry." Jesus shed tears when he mourned or felt sorrow. I felt a level of sorrow that broke my heart. I miss my daddy, but I know he is now with Abba, Father. Also, I rest assured that God will heal my broken-heart because he said he will in Psalm 147:3.

As this season of mourning gives me the time to grieve and remember the good times when my earthly father was here, it also gives me a greater understanding of how God is in control of everything, whether we realize it. The tears flow for the loss, but I will rejoice in the memories that we shared as a family. Ecclesiastics 3 says that there is a time to mourn, and a time to dance. Although I mourn for the losses, there will be a time to dance and rejoice because I am so grateful and thankful that God blessed my siblings and I with a wonderful and loving dad.

¹ johnbaptistchurch.org