Lament

For many in our nation, Her Majesty the Queen was rather like everybody’s favourite granny, a constant figure of wisdom, kindness and good humour, in an age of uncertainty.

A lot can happen in a year and a lot can be lost. Many are struggling with the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Many are grieving and experiencing loss. Bring God the pain, be honest, but don’t walk away then.

They say that the two certainties of life are death and taxes but I would argue there is a third, and that is that each and every one of us will suffer at some point, and probably at many points during our lifetimes. Suffering is inevitable but it is never the end of the story.

Grief has been one of the hardest parts of my life but at the same time one of the most precious parts. Without grief I am not sure I would have known such richness and depth in my life. It has grown my capacity to love, to feel, to care.

We all have lost something over this last year. We’ve lost out on quality time with people we love, others will have lost jobs, and many of us will have lost friends and family to Covid. It’s important to remember this loss as we come to lament and soon to celebrate Easter.

As the COVID19 pandemic unfolded there developed a loneliness epidemic. Zoom or Whatsapp provide incredible connection, but they are no substitute for human contact. I believe this pandemic has taught us again the lesson that we really need each other. As Christians, community is at the heart of our theology.

We all know that at times, it is OK not to be OK. When we lament we take time acknowledge our situation, hurts and needs and to turn that into prayers and petitions to God.