This week I’m giving this space to my wife, Robin. I think you’ll enjoy her perspective on “Daughters of God.” – Chip
Many of you know that we lost my Dad, Don Salter, this past June. Thank you for the many kindnesses you’ve shown us through your cards, emails and kind comments of thoughtfulness. I cannot tell you what they have meant to me as I travel this journey, along with my family.
I have learned some things about grief that I wasn’t aware of. Any and all words of condolence mean so much. I’ve always been uncomfortable expressing sorrow for anyone going through a loss…”What if they are having a good day and my comments remind them of their sadness? What if I say the wrong thing and just cause more pain for them? It’s been so long now, would it be appropriate to say anything now?” And the answer to all of those fears is… there is no bad time to say something kind or loving, there is nothing you could say that could be wrong if you are offering a consoling word, a kindness.
I’ve also discovered that grief is timeless. That sounds like glorifying grief and painting it as an exalted emotion with martyr-like status. It is timeless because it can sneak up on you at the most unexpected moment and never with any warning, triggered by any insignificant occurrence. We have been taught that God’s love is not time-less, but eternal… something we struggle to fathom as we go through our “time”. We miss those we have lost and have to realign our lives because “life” goes on and we have to, too.
As Chip was finishing up the script for “Daughters of God”, he asked me to read it as he always does. I knew that within the coming weeks, my Dad’s illness would end in his death. I didn’t think I would be able to sit through the actual performances of a play about loss, and indeed, we lost Dad two weeks prior to opening night of the play. Now, I have to thank Chip for writing this very touching play. Perhaps the Lord knew I would need that extra measure of comfort those words have provided. Perhaps He knew all of us need that assurance when dealing with loss. We have all had to deal with losing someone, whether it was two weeks ago or many years ago… for grief is after all… timeless. If you have seen the play, I truly hope you felt that comfort, as I have.
But, I have also gained another perspective about life and loss. I have learned and studied the scriptures since childhood, but still visualized Heaven as an ethereal place somewhere else, not really sure where… the “undeniable possibility” that Chip talks about so often has become very real to me. After watching “Daughters of God”, I am convinced that heaven is just right there… a hand’s reach away, so close as to touch the ones who have gone there, those we have lost. Why do we even call them our “lost loved ones” when they are surely not lost to us, but only living on the other side of the veil? Chip’s words have encouraged me to rethink what I feel about my loss and remember what I sense is true.
Grief is timeless, but the assurance of Heaven, the very real assurance of God’s eternal love- that is our comfort. Our loved ones are just behind the veil because of God’s love. I believe God gave the script for “Daughters of God” to Chip… for me. I am so grateful. But the message of LIFE, rather than loss, is a blessing we can all find comfort in.
– Robin
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