It is a delight to be the spouse of a hard working, joy-filled, dedicated man.



Wednesday, September 10, 2008

What Do You Remember? How Do You Remember?

Something I came across. I've thought this for years, I'm not qualified to say so, but this fellow has credentials.

Q. Is there such a thing as closure? Does grieving ever end?

A. Closure is a bad word, overused five or 10 years ago, and people in my world are not using it anymore, because it falsely implies an end to something that doesn't end. You don't get closure on trauma, tragedy, the impact of human cruelty, but you do grow, you do get sadder and wiser and you do, more often than not, get the opportunity to help fellow travelers. Closure is a myth, but progress is not. Frank Ochberg

I was wondering how to remember tomorrow, grief, tragedy celebration of life, recognition of strength... I came across this http://jonjdsbitsandpieces.blogspot.com/2008/09/9-11-remembered.html please go; look and remember the day, read, and meditate on our Sovereign God.

I won't be back here till the 12th, I won't be checking the comments I receive so they won't show up here till the 12th. I will be observing the discipline of quiet and solitude, as much as I can. Please leave comments if you want, I value all of them, but mostly: Please go to the above site. Please take time tomorrow to reflect and pray.


Psalm 139
For the Chief Musician. A Psalm of David.


O LORD, You have searched me and known me.

You know my sitting down and my rising up;
You understand my thought afar off.

You comprehend my path and my lying down,
And are acquainted with all my ways.

For there is not a word on my tongue,
But behold, O LORD, You know it altogether.

You have hedged me behind and before,
And laid Your hand upon me.

Such knowledge is too wonderful for me;
It is high, I cannot attain it.

Where can I go from Your Spirit?
Or where can I flee from Your presence?

If I ascend into heaven, You are there;
If I make my bed in hell, behold, You are there.

If I take the wings of the morning,
And dwell in the uttermost parts of the sea,

Even there Your hand shall lead me,
And Your right hand shall hold me.

If I say, “Surely the darkness shall fall on me,”
Even the night shall be light about me;

Indeed, the darkness shall not hide from You,
But the night shines as the day;
The darkness and the light are both alike to You.

For You formed my inward parts;
You covered me in my mother’s womb.

I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
Marvelous are Your works,
And that my soul knows very well.

My frame was not hidden from You,
When I was made in secret,
And skillfully wrought in the lowest parts of the earth.

Your eyes saw my substance, being yet unformed.
And in Your book they all were written,
The days fashioned for me,
When as yet there were none of them.

How precious also are Your thoughts to me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!

If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.

Oh, that You would slay the wicked, O God!
Depart from me, therefore, you bloodthirsty men.

For they speak against You wickedly;
Your enemies take Your name in vain.

Do I not hate them, O LORD, who hate You?
And do I not loathe those who rise up against You?

I hate them with perfect hatred;
I count them my enemies.

Search me, O God, and know my heart;
Try me, and know my anxieties;

And see if there is any wicked way in me,
And lead me in the way everlasting.

5 comments:

KathyB. said...

Oh, yes !I very much agree with the comment by Frank Ochburg..I think I will put it on one of my 'quote's lists'....and use it. I have gotten so tired of the yak yak about 'closure' although I do realize the people saying those lines are hurting. But you know, finding out the hows and whys of tragedy and death don't ease the pain. Sometimes, it makes it worse.

Really, though, this life and all the lives the many years and centuries before us, are beset with tragedy and loss. All the more reason to seek solace and comfort from THE COMFORTER, the only comforter. Jesus ! KathyB.

So I guess I will save any and all phone calls to you for after the 12th !

Unknown said...

Thank you for viviting my blog and commenting. My only hope is that this 9-11 post will help someone get past this day just a little bit easier than otherwise. Thank you for the link to my post.

Blessings to you.

Empress Bee (of the high sea) said...

lovely thoughtful post...

hugs, bee

buffalodick said...

Closure isn't always a point in time. Sometimes it happens over years..

Connie said...

Very nice post and tribute, Lanny. Sept. 11 is a difficult day for our country with many painful memories.