Wrestling with Jacob

A journal of faith, grief and devotional musings

Jesus

  • Getting caught in a grief bubble

    Life is difficult. Doing life while grieving is extremely difficult. There are coping mechanisms that I have used consciously and unconsciously to deflect and protect myself from unwanted pain. Since our son Jacob died many times it has felt as though we have been at our emotional limits. There is a coping mechanism, a shield, or a… Read more

  • Overcoming seasonal depression by the two advents of hope.

    This Christmas is our fourth holiday season without our beloved Jacob. Much has changed in our lives since his departure. Much is an understatement of the truth I suppose. Truth is, everything has changed and nothing is the same for us in life which especially includes our holiday observances. Stacey and I have often said… Read more

  • Better not bitter

    I met a man who is a member of “the club” on a Monday not long ago. His name is Leroy and his membership began the day before his son turned 21. Leroy’s son John was murdered in 1995. We shared our stories without shame of tears in an empty laundry room for about thirty… Read more

  • The end of evil

    … Nobody robbed a liquor store on the lower part of town Nobody OD’ed, nobody burned a single buildin’ down Nobody fired a shot in anger, nobody had to die in vain We sure could use a little good news today… Anne Murray released “A little good news” in September 1983. The song rose on… Read more

  • Surviving the RIP currents of grief

    Walking along the shore in Oceanside California yesterday I noticed a warning sign about rip tides. Being from Michigan I am familiar with these signs because Lake Michigan has dangerous rip currents as well that swimmers must be wary of. Fortunately, I have never experienced getting caught in these currents that can kill. They are… Read more