Prayer: Father, may I glean new insight into Abraham’s honoring Sarah. Truth is, each of us who are married may be left behind at a spouse’s passing. What did Abraham do to honor Sarah? Amen.
Reading: Genesis 23 key: vs. 1-2
Now Sarah’s life was 127 years—the years of Sarah’s life. 2 Sarah died in Kiriath-arba (that is, Hebron), in the land of Canaan. Abraham came to mourn for Sarah and to weep over her.
Attention: I have never experienced the loss of a spouse. I have worked with many who have. The weight of having a spouse pass is traumatically, the highest rated stress on the Holmes and Rahe Stress Scaleholmes-and-rahe-stress-scale-template-r-m-seminars_print_big.png (950×1260) (templateroller.com). I encourage you to look at the chart and rate your current stress levels.
We are told that Abraham took time to “mourn” and “weep” over Sarah. Having worked with widows and read materials from several professional counselor/psychologists, if a person doesn’t take the time to process and heal from their loss, that loss tends to process the griever for the rest of their life. It is important that we come to terms with major losses like death, divorce, imprisonment, and retirement. Major changes lead to higher stress levels and higher stress levels according to the stress scale, can lead to a major illness or suicide if not processed.
What we see in this passage of scripture, is Abraham finding and selecting a burial site for Sarah. He isn’t looking to go cheaply, as his friends are insistent of giving him the grave site land. Abraham insists on paying “the merchant’s rate (vs. 16b).
I would encourage you if married, ahead of loss, to consider how you would want to honor and remember your spouse. When you are in the grip of grief, is not the time to consider final arrangements. It is tough enough to grieve without the stress of overwhelming decisions which surround memorializing your loved one.
Action: I will be proactive in planning for my spouse ahead of time.
Yield: Planning proactively frees one to process their grief without added stress.
Engaged: I will stay engaged in the process of caring for my spouse’s needs.
Relationship: I show my care in making the needed decisions ahead of time.
Prayer: Father, I may someday be separated from my spouse by death. Prepare me to say goodbye when that time arrives. Give me shalom that passes all understanding. Help me to celebrate their life. Amen.
Memory Verse: Ecclesiastes 7: 1-2
Better is a good reputation than precious oil
and the day of death than the day of birth.
2 Better to go to a house of mourning
than to go to the house of feasting,
since that is the end of all mankind
—and the living should take it to heart.
Music Video: The Piano Guys—The Sweetest Gift https://youtu.be/0yFXfAGl17M
Remember, “Abide in Yeshua, today!”