Wonderful comfort and support for Christians who are grieving
352844
Cameron Cole experienced his "Worst" when his 3 year old son suddenly died in his sleep. The grief, the pain, the loss he experienced led him down a path of despair, loneliness, and depression that he sometimes thought would never end. However, through these times, he was able to hold on to God and be supported by the love and mercy of the great Gospel message.

Cole shares the comfort he has received in his journey fighting "the Worst" and provides a path for others facing the Worst in their own lives, whether that be loss of a child or a spouse, a terminal illness diagnosis, abuse, whatever. He knows the loneliness of suffering but also shares the reminder that God is always there, even in the darkest, loneliest hours.

He does not run away from the times that  he understood that "a person can wish to die without being suicidal." After a loss, there can be a dark cloud of malaise that colors all of life. "I felt as if I had entered into a dark tunnel that never ended. Meanwhile, the only hopeful thing I could conjure up was the idea of being in heaven with Cam." But, as in every chapter, Cole ends with "The Narrative of Hope:" "My life is not over. God has purposes and plans for me in this life until I enter this paradise."

Throughout the book, Cole returns again and again to Scripture as a support for being able to really know the love and comfort of God, and this is what will help any believer facing their very own Worst. Definitely a book for any Christian enduring loss or suffering, but also helpful for those of us who may, at the present moment, may not be burdened with such experiences. We can still be reminded that God is always with us, even when the dark times come.

This book is one to share with anyone facing the Worst in their own lives.
1040675
While the bible passages, comfort and love of God are apparent in every word, this book is for people of all ages and any religion, or no religion at all. The poems and devotions are heart-warming and inspiring in many different situations. I personally had a life-shattering tragedy and Irene's poems are helping to heal my soul. I look to this book often for the comfort and love Ms Beasley put into each poem. I highly recommend it for you and for anyone you know who can benefit from these uplifting poems.
604484
This is a wonderful book. It serves as a source of comfort to the believer of Christ. It is very easy reading. It is worth  buying and keeping for a re-read when in need of comfort.
4587672
As a house parent to a sweet six-year old at French Camp Academy in MS, whose mother died when he was five, I'd bought this book to have to read to him when I sensed the time was right. Sadly, the time was right yesterday when both his mother's mother and her husband died tragically.

There's a place in the front that says "Dear _____" so you can write the child's name, and it has a personal message from the person who has died. When his other grandfather read that to him, his face broke into such a smile. (This was after we'd read the book to him.)

This little boy, who is often withdrawn and sullen in his grief appeared genuinely comforted as I read this book to him and he pictured his mother with Jesus, full of life and joy, and love for him.

In that context, I told him that his grandmother's husband who he knew was very sick, was hurting so badly, he asked Jesus if he could come be with Him, and that Jesus said yes. And that then his Grandmother was so sad that her husband was gone, and she also missed his mother so much, that she asked Jesus if she could come too. And Jesus said yes to her too.

I was then able to turn to the page in the book where it talks about how one day she will welcome the loved one to heaven with a great big hug, and told him how that's what his mom did as soon as she saw his grandmother and her husband. He smiled at that.

I'm sure there will be many questions as he gets older, but for now, I can't say enough about how very thankful I was to have this book for this little boy. I told him he could read it again and again and ask others to read it to him.

As they left for the funeral, he tucked it in his jacket. And I ordered another copy. It's just one of those books I think I need to always have on hand, ready for when I need it.
2983120
So nice and comforting to have my belief confirmed and explained in the middle of grief. I needed to read this and feel comfort.
4466459
Two gentle writers share their grief over the passing of their mothers, friends and pets in a way that will lead to tears but also open the heart to healing. This is a wonderful resource for someone who is going through the process. Humor, insightful and from the heart. The back section has longer prose pieces, one by a grief counselor. I have both the Kindle edition and the hard copy, which I have loaned out twice and received grateful response.
1655836
I love having this book to give to those friends who have suffered a loss.  Sometimes the right words aren't there..and I know that this book provides much needed comfort.  I have had the pleasure to hear Rachel speakand she is wonderful.
1760999
I have found this book comforting to read at a very difficult time.  it has insights that affirm many of my feelings.  It is helpful to read the thoughts of  others who are going through the same pain that I am.  I have given it to several people who have all told me how much they appreciated receiving it..  As a senior citizen, I have friends who are losing spouses, and welcome comfort and help.  This book really is a source of both.  I am very happy that a friend gave it to me.
2588781
A friend gave me this book after my grandfather passed away and (sadly) I have since passed it along to family and friends who have lost loved ones. It really helped me through the grieving process. I really like the format (short, daily meditations) and the content addresses so many feelings that we experience while grieving. Wonderfully written - this book has brought me a lot of comfort but at the same time, has been inspirational! I keep this book on my nightstand and read one meditation each night before going to bed.
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Nancy Guthrie's "What Grieving People Wish You Knew about What Really Helps (and What Really Hurts)" is not just for those who ministers in comfort for the grief-stricken but it is also for those experience it (which is all of us at some point or another). It spoke to me in a way that reminded me of the loss of my parents. That feeling of loss that never goes away; it just lessens. It is an instructive book and an inspirational one.
965786
This is an excellent book. The book is truly a comfort to those who are currently caregivers or have been caregivers.

Mrs. Saunders shares her heart as well as her conversations with the Lord on her journey as a caregiver to her husband, Larry, who is diagnosed with Alzheimer's Disease. She shares from the time of his diagnosis until his homegoing to heaven. She details the lessons the Lord taught her on this journey.

Having gone through the experience of being a caregiver, I found her insights to be extremely helpful as well as very practical. She shares how her faith in the Lord (and her taking her needs to the Lord in prayer) as well as the support of family and friends carried her through that time. She has a heart to help others who are traveling the journey of being a caregiver. Her belief that God takes through difficult circumstances so that we can share the lessons learned is truly evidenced in this book.

I highly recommend this book.
2613116
Excellent book for all types of situations regarding grief/ Death, loss of a job, betrayal. Extremely helpful and amazing peace-giving insights from the Bible, and others who've done their grief work and walked THROUGH their valley. Tony Cooke has over 30 years experience in ministering to people from all walks of life, at all ages and stages, and this book is filled with comfort and hope! As pastors, we gave it to all our friends and church members who lost a loved one, and highly recommend it!
79704
Great read for Christians who are hurting! When life is not "fair" the God of all comfort is there to encourage us.
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Marjorie Kunch, an Orthodox Christian mother and mortician, has written some wonderful Orthodox picture books, When My Baba Died and When My YiaYia Died.  The books are a true blessing to the children who read them, and at the same time they give parents a roadmap for helping our children process death  a roadmap that is all the more useful and precious to parents who are themselves struggling through the grieving process.

Marjories books walk a child both through questions about heaven and what death means, and through the more concrete details of what they can expect at an Orthodox funeral. When a beloved family member dies, children are anxious about death itself as well as the details of the funeral process, so Marjories beautiful illustrations and clear explanations are perfectly designed to allay those fears.

For older children, those who read and might enjoy a more interactive experience, Marjorie has put together a very helpful companion workbook which offers ways for them to personalize the funeral experience and provides meaningful ways to help children participate in saying goodbye.  In addition to encouraging them to incorporate their own memories and feelings about their loved one, the workbook asks open-ended questions that will encourage them to express their feelings. Marjorie includes icons to color, a recipe for Koliva to prepare together as a family (further including them in the church services), Bible verses to look up, and a comforting prayer families can recite together.

With the combination of the picture book and workbook, Marjorie (a mother herself) has created a resource that will truly bring your familys experience into the Church, so that you are both reassured and nourished by our beautiful traditions as you work your way through this grief.
3045018
This brought me comfort in a time of tremendous grief and loss and gave tribute to a wonderful friend and companion.
1330231
Losing a loved one throws you into a place full of empties.  There is now an empty chair at the table.  And there is one unoccupied seat in the living room.  There is no other adult partner in your home to share your day with, andthere is an even bigger empty place in your heart.  I love the term Margaret Brownley uses on page 13 of Grieving God's Way, where she tells us that heartache is love that has nowhere to go.  That would certainly explain the wrenching pain that invades you to your very core.
Her book contains touching devotionals along with bible passages, as well as contributions of Haiku (seventeen syllable verse) by Diantha Ain.
So how can you endure the pain of loss without becoming completely overwhelmed by the very real pain you feel?  How can you attend funerals of others, and pay your respects while fighting against the urge to dissolve into tears, as memories of the farewell to your own loved one threatens to erupt out of your heart, turning it into your own personal time?
Truly you cannot, or should not prevent the tears nor be ashamed if they do flow.  Nobody else would know they are not tears shed for the family you are supporting in their grief.  Would they?
Grieving God's Way comes alongside you and gives you gentle nudges onto a new path in life: one that will eventually lead to hope and healing.  She gives you God's Way to handle it, versus how humankind thinks it should be done.  You will not find any of those `get over it' or `time to get on with your life' suggestions.  Margaret does refer to them, but every time she does it is with God's way to manage, and it is never hurtful.
Margaret has suffered the loss of a son, so she does know what a roller-coaster ride you are on.  She tells you how Teddy Bears and warm fuzzies can be a comfort (Chapter Four).  How sweet memories can move you through the pain, and how to look after yourself while travelling on this difficult road. Importantly, she encourages you to believe in the healing power of prayer.
I think that if you know anyone grieving the loss of a loved one, be it from death, divorce or separation, there will be words of comfort for them in this publication.  So should you want to help and cannot always give them your time, I think the very next best thing would be to give them a copy of this book.  If nothing else, it will show them they are not alone in their anguish and it might very well be just the tonic they need.

more of Gardenergal at: [...]
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This book has helped me and many others go through some tough times.  It was an excellent source of God's love and peace when going through the mourning period of a close family member.