Episode 172 :: Mike Nappa :: Stories from the Valley of the Shadow, and Blessing Those Who Mourn

Over the last several years, I don’t think there is anyone who has not been touched by loss or some kind of grief.  Today's guest, author, and literary agent Mike Nappa is incredibly familiar with loss and living with grief. In 2016, he lost his beloved wife, Amy, to cancer. In his learning how to live life without her, God has shown him why grieving is such an important part of losing a loved one. As Mike says, he learned how to cry into his keyboard and produced one of the most poignant books that bears witness to grief that I have ever personally encountered. It is called Reflections for the Grieving Soul: Meditations and Scripture for Finding Hope After Loss.   We are often so uncomfortable with grief and treat it like it is a problem to be solved. However, God Himself, in all three persons of the Trinity, grieves, and we are made in His image. It isn’t sinful to grieve. Mike says: “There are things in this world worth loving enough to grieve, and if we don’t grieve well, we are taking away from the image of God within us.” Although, as we’ll discuss in this episode, there are ways to grieve well and there are also ways to grieve poorly and even destructively.  The depths of grief isn’t a place where we want to live permanently, but we have to hold space for it or it will make itself known in other ways. When we don’t walk this journey, we miss out on the blessings for those who mourn.   There are quite a few tears shed during this episode, but honest, perhaps blessed, tears. I would like to offer this episode as a benevolent witness and comfort to whoever might need it in this season. The Lord promises blessing and comfort for us, dear ones. He is near to you. You matter, and Your story matters.    Connecting with Mike: Books and other publications Facebook Website   Please consider joining our Patreon community. If you have enjoyed what you have heard on the podcast today or from other episodes, we would so appreciate your support to keep the Simply Stories Podcast going. You can sign up for as little as $3 a month and each tier offers gifts that I hope will bless you in return. If you cannot financially commit at this time, please consider leaving us a star rating and/or review on Apple Podcasts.  My family and I are so grateful for each of you and how you are part of our story.    Scripture References: John 12:4-6- Judas was the treasurer Ephesians 2:8-There’s nothing I can do to earn God’s love John 15-Without Him we have nothing  Psalm 121, John 14:26-We need help from the Helper Genesis 6:6- God looks at the wickedness of man and is grieved Matthew 26:38-Jesus says “My soul is crushed with grief” Ephesians 4:30-Paul reminds us that we can grieve the Holy Spirit  John 11:17-41-Jesus stood outside of Lazarus’ tomb and wept  Matthew 5:4-Blessed are those who mourn Matthew 5:1-11-  the beginning of the Beatitudes and their promises Psalm 34:18-19-The Lord is near to the brokenhearted Deuteronomy 31:6-8, Hebrews 13:5-6-He will never leave me or forsake me  Jeremiah 29:11, Romans 8:28-God has a purpose and a plan for your life Acts 17:28-In Christ we live and move and have our being    References: -Norman, OK -Lebanon  -Judas Iscariot’s story -Hard Way Home  -Dr. Gary Chapman -Pixar -An example of a book written by women on her journey home What We Wish Were True by Tallu Quinn  - “What is grief if not love persevering?”- Wandavision -If you’d like to see it, here is my Dad baptizing my daughter.  -Hebrew  and Greek translations of “blessed” makarios - “Ten Unexpected Benefits of Grieving Well” article by Mike -Douglas McElvey and Every Moment Holy “Liturgy for Leavings”   Connecting with Emily and Simply Stories Podcast: Instagram (Em life // Podcast Life) Facebook Twitter Blog