"...we had hoped..."

     The prompt for my grief journal was this, “Finish the phrase “But we had hoped…” What dreams have been lost because your loved one is gone? (Hamilton Hess page 10)  I have learned a couple of things about grief as a result of mulling over this question.  The first is, grief is very different for each person, multi faceted if you will and always complicated.  The second is that grief is not just about the death of a loved one.  Maybe it’s the loss of a dream, job, friendship or something, which has caused your heart to break. 

     Our response however is important to Jesus.  Right before the disciples made this statement, “But we had hoped” Jesus had asked them, “What things?” Luke 24:19 I believe part of the process of our grief, disappointment or failure is to just lay it all out there before the Lord.  Let’s face it, He already knows, but I think there is value in expressing the details to Him.  Interesting that the disciples were walking away from Jerusalem.  Don’t you think this is typical of human nature, to walk away, for me it is to build nice walls of protection.  And yet, on the road to Emmaus Jesus met them there, everyone else is in Jerusalem and Jesus went out to find those two. 

Flowers from my Mom's memorial service laid over her ashes at sea

     Then, “buckle up” because my experience has been once I have finally laid it all down before Him that is when the real teaching begins.  This is exactly what happened for the disciples once they told Him what they had hoped Jesus was going to be and do for Israel.  “And beginning with Moses and all the Prophets, he explained to them what was said in all the Scriptures concerning himself.” Luke 24:27 Can you even imagine that Bible lesson and wouldn’t you have loved to have been there to hear and take notes?

     Finally we come to my very favorite part of this passage, the great unveiling.  “Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him.” Luke 24:31 This is exactly what I have experienced, once I surrendered my hopes and dreams and allowed the scriptures to teach me, then I became fully aware of the Lord’s presence in my life.  And not just in that moment, but all through the process.  For each of us that will look different, for me it is through the scriptures, times of worship and through other believers He sends my way for love and encouragement.  We need only look for His presence in our lives through the lens of eyes, which are opened.