This may sound trite and irreverent: ‘Great Reads’ for a devastating loss. When a ‘Great Reads’ list pops up on my Kindle it lists books selected to amuse and entertain. But ‘great’ is defined as “remarkable in magnitude, degree, or effectiveness.” (Merrium-Webster) And that what is great can comfort, enlighten and even transform. I have groped about for all those in my year of grief.
So here is my list of books and articles, great reads I have turned to again and again for comfort and reassurance. I would be grateful if you could share what has helped you.
Top choice:
1 Corinthians 15 – simply the best encouragement
Paul reminds us, “if only in this life we have hope in Christ we of all people are to be most pitied.”
(I also read 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18 every time I visit my wife’s grave. The entire passage is inscribed on a family tombstone a few feet from Dona’s gravesite.) “Therefore, comfort each other with these words.”
Close second:
Things Unseen, Mark Buchanan
A book about the “hope of heaven that inspires and sustains passion and purpose in this life and on earth. It’s about learning how to bring heaven near – fixing our hearts and minds on things unseen.” (2 Cor 4:18)
This Canadian pastor has not written a dense theology book. Quite readable with tons of touching stories and even help from scenes in one of my favorite movies, The Karate Kid. I have a friend who lost a child at 18 months. He read Things Unseen in two days.
Third choice:
Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering, Tim Keller
Theology, but explained in a way that only Keller could. (He died of pancreatic cancer in 2023.) I read a chapter a day to my wife when she was going through chemo.
Fourth Place: Three short reads
What Will Heaven Be Like? Thirty-five frequently asked questions about eternity.
PETER KREEFT, Article in Christianity Today
Tim Keller: Growing My Faith in the Face of Death – The Atlantic
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2021/03/tim-keller-growing-my-faith-face-death/618219/
See CS Lewis’s chapter on Heaven in his book, The Problem of Pain. Also, Lewis’ journal account, A Grief Observed, about the death of his wife is quite helpful. Initially, he refused to publish it, given that the first third was so raw and despairing. (He called it a ‘yell’.) But, like many of the Psalmists, he works through his anger, grief, and fear towards gratitude for Christ.
Finally……
Pardon my shameless promotion but my wife’s blog posts – her thoughts about her terminal illness – helped me. This is Mortality, this is Eternity – Dona’s Blog (donaeley.blog)
Best poem for sorrow and grief:
A Brief for the Defense by Jack Gilbert
Best sentimental novel:
To Dance with the White Dog by Terry Kay
An old man loses his cherished wife and has only hand-wringing daughters for comfort. (I note that my daughters are anything but.) Then a mysterious white dog shows up.
Thankful to hear that you are hearing from God daily, Dave ~ jude&Jesus
When Kenneth died, whose paralysis was from age 17 to 62, God agreed with my joyful audible thankful words:
“He’s playing basketball with Jesus!”
Looking forward to rereading Dona’s Blog.
Thank you, Dave, for this message.
Thankful to hear that you are hearing from God daily, Dave ~ jude&Jesus
Dave,
<
div>Gre
Wow, Dave, this is beautiful and amazing. I’m going to slowly go through each of your recommendations. I find that grief never completely goes away. The rawness of it will emerge at unpredictable moments even years from now. But I never want to forget completely. And we won’t until God restores us all. What joy awaits! Until then, He lovingly walks beside us, holds us and all our tears in the “hard”, and helps us to continue on with each new day, step by step. He is our comfort and our Hope.
With love,
Polly
Hello David, What a perfect way to work through the grief of losing your precious Dona. I admire your courage so much. Dona expressed herself so beautifully and you do as well. As I read this latest blog, the devotional book, “Streams in the Desert” came to mind. It is dog-eared after many years of constant use, and I never tire of reading it, almost daily, year after year. You may already have it, but I would so like to send it to you if you don’t. My prayers are with you as you navigate these very difficult times. Much love from an old childhood friend, Leigh Anne
Thanks Leigh Anne, I just ordered it. Hear much about “Streams in the Desert”. Time to read it!