In Genesis 32 Jacob names the place where he wrestled with God for answers. Peniel means face of God. Today is one of those struggle days. I’m looking at some notes from Pastor Craig Cabaniss, in Frisco Texas, on Psalm 13, one of the Psalms of Lament. To lament is to experience deep grief and sorrow. I wanted to call this writing, “Grief for all ages” because even children experience an emotion related to loss. I read a silly children’s book the other day (great drawings) about ice cream and what happens when the little boy drops his ice cream and is left with an empty cone. You can guess that some generosity is at the root of the story. I remember a related loss when I ordered a root beer popsicle from the ice cream truck and did not like the flavor. I went behind our house and had a cry because that is what five-year-olds do. Loss. Pastor C summarizes steps to take: turn to God, complain about the lament, ask for help, and remind yourself that you trust God. Feeling alone makes grief harder. Dealing with our own grief also equips us to help others. Peniel. We have looked for the face of God in our circumstances and need to look for Him again.
Since we are made in the image of God, He knew we would need some way to deal with losses. God created grief and outlined, in scripture, how we can live healthy and hopeful lives. We can agree that it does not feel like enough on some days. Jesus sympathizes with our weaknesses and is acquainted with grief. Do I beg for extra grace in this moment or punctuate the end of every thought with, “Thy will be done”? All I know is that In Heaven grief will be behind us but today everyday has risk – so Peniel.
