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By Jude Urbanski
Loss is a universal and evergreen phenomenon and I
want to talk about my loss. My pastor took his own life on May 27, 2012. Of
course, he was not just my pastor. He
was pastor to a whole church full of people. And he was well-loved. Very well-loved.
I loved him
as much as I love my brothers. In fact, it feels as if I’ve lost a brother.
That’s the kind of impact my pastor’s death made on my life. And I am not
alone. Others have said the same.
One of his many gifts was that he made you feel
special. His life was thoroughly invested in people. He was so relational, met
people wherever they were on their walk in life and before leaving them, let
them know how very much God loved them.
Perhaps because of his German heritage, he felt a
kindred spirit with Dietrich Bonheoffer and Martin Luther. I know he was every
bit the prayer warrior these men were. Often his arms were raised heavenward as
he knelt at the altar when he prayed. More than once, I’ve been the receiver of
his powerful prayer to God on my behalf and have felt so nurtured from his
words.
We, as a congregation, will never get over the loss of him, but we will
get through it. We’ve already begun needed steps for healing and realize much
time and tears will be required. We focus on celebrating his rich and full life
and take comfort in knowing that nothing can separate us from the love of God.
Not even suicide.
Our
Loss One Year Later
No, we haven’t gotten over our loss of Pastor John,
but we have learned to live with it. That is what must be done. If you’ve
suffered loss, you know what I mean.
After our loss, we as a congregation participated in
forums focusing on reasons for suicide. We tried to relate his downward, health
spiral to such an unbelievable decision. An on-going grief group formed. We gave
teens of our congregation every chance possible to come forth, understand and
heal. We created prayer shawls and prayer squares to comfort.
We hugged one
another and hugged often. We vacillated. We became tolerant. We ached. We
healed.
Most creative of all is that we made Pastor’s old office
a sparkling-new, small chapel open to anyone, to our other pastors and
congregants. I was part of the Healing Team organizing this space and can say
it has been part of my healing also. The space, called the Chapel of Living
Waters, is a beautiful compilation of many people’s efforts. The donations, the
art work and the sweat equity were wonderful.
Chapel
of the Living Waters
And, you know what? I’m decided next year this is
place my husband and I will repeat our 25th wedding vows. Just need
to let him know! Life is good.
Jude Urbanski,
pen name for Judy Martin-Urban, is a multi-published, award-winning author who writes
women’s fiction with inspirational romance elements. She weaves stories about
strong characters spinning tragedy into triumph with God’s help. She is
published in fiction and nonfiction. Jude was a columnist for Maximum
Living, a Gannett magazine, for five years. She is a member of
ACFW and National League of American Pen Women. Her latest book Nurtured
in Purple is book two in The Chronicles of Chanute Crossing
and is published by Desert Breeze Publishing in eBook and soon-to-be print
format. Find Jude at: http://www.judeurbanski.com
7 comments:
Jude, this is a very moving post, and the chapel is beautiful! Thank you for sharing.
Thank you for sharing a very promising, positive response to such a loss.
If you do a good job for others, you heal yourself at the same time, because a dose of joy is a spiritual cure.
- Dietrich Bonhoeffer
Claude and H.Kirk, thank you for your comforting responses. Bonhoeffer's quote says it well. Our congregation goes forward day by day.
What a tale of sorrow, yet encouraging too that everyone joined in together to get thru this period. Healing takes time and it seems you and your church have found solutions to gain strength to do that.
This is very moving, and how difficult for all concerned--including your pastor. I'm glad you're talking about it, though.
Thank you, Jude.
Tuesday night, I watched the CNN interview of the Warren's, (pastor/wife) whose son completed suicide--that particular loss is in a realm all its own. I once wrote a book for those left behind--sounds as if you've been a part of a widespread healing support group.
Thanks for sharing.
Gail Kittleson
To Liz and Gail, your comments bring forth emotion, but I and we are working through it. The tincture of time is about the best antidote. I just deleted Pastor's phone number on my cell phone this week. I can 'talk' to him now with humor, but sure do still miss that wonderful man. I have lost a 6 yr old grandson and nearly his mother as well as a former husband and remember each with gratitude. But shoot, it ain't easy! I can say God has covered me with His feathers!
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