Harvest House Publishers
Release Date: 1/1/10
ISBN: 978-0-7369-2429-0
Retail: $10.99
Hardcarover: 6X6
the right words to say...
About the book:
Through great personal loss, authors Cecil Murphey and Liz Allison have gained insight to share with others who are going through uncertainty, depression, and loneliness after losing a loved one. They also offer advice for those comforting someone who is grieving.
Among comforting paintings by artist Michal Sparks, brief stories, personal experiences, and prayers offer a meaningful path toward healing for readers when they:
- Feel alone and lost in their grief and want to reconnect with others and to life
- Seek to make sense of their loss alongside their sense of faith, purpose, and God
- Want to honor their loved one without clinging to the past in unhealthy ways
Readers are given gentle permission to grapple with doubt, seek peace, and reflect on loss in their own way without judgment and with understanding and hope. A perfect gift for a loved one dealing with loss and grief.
For those of you who follow my blog, you know that in 1992 I became a young widow raising my nine-month-old son. Much has happened since then but once you go through loss and grief you remain sensitive to those experiencing pain and suffering. Several years ago I began a blog I call Anna's Place (click here to visit this site) specifically designed for those who have experienced loss and grief. On the first entry at Anna's Place, I posted an excerpt taken from my personal journal weeks after my first husband died at the age of twenty-eight. In those first months following my loss, I felt like there was nobody I could relate to - who would understand.
After church today I sat in a local diner with my family. My sister said, "Sue, can I give your phone number to someone at my gym? Her husband just died in a car accident."
My first husband died in a car accident too.
At some point, all of our lives will be touched by loss and grief. It's not something we like to think about. Who would? But it is something we can be ready for - but how?
First and most importantly we can make peace with God. We can be sure of forgiveness of sin and a home in Heaven when we trust God's Son, Jesus Christ as our personal Savior. (click here to find the Steps to Peace and the security of a home in Heaven).
Once we make peace with God, we can discover peace in Him. Peace in the storms of life. I didn't say peace from pain. We will experience suffering on this earth. One particular Bible verse that was an eyeopener for me was what Jesus said in John 16:33. "These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you will have tribulation, but be of good cheer, I have overcome the world."
How has Jesus over overcome the world? By coming into this world and conquering sin and death. Easter is next week. We celebrate Christ's resurrection from the dead. Yes, Jesus has overcome the world because He is our Savior and we can overcome in and through him.
So when I had an opportunity to review the book Words of Comfort for Times of Loss, I knew I needed to do it. What I found delighted me. The book is small, beautiful, and easy to read. It will make the perfect gift or resource for anyone touched by loss and grief.
Why? Because it rings true. I felt what the authors wrote. I have lived it. They have lived it. They have experienced loss and grief and understand just how personal each person's grief is - no two people feel exactly the same way. However, there are similarities we will share and that knowledge brings a sense of comfort. Even though you may be lonely, you are not alone.
And the artwork in this small gift book brings a sense of calm, like walking through a park on a Spring day when all the flowers are in bloom. It's lovely!
So listen and see what authors Cecil Murphey and Liz Allison have to say. I know your hearts will be encouraged by their compassionate message of hope and help.
About the Authors:
Liz Allison was married to NASCAR driver Davey Allison until his tragic death in 1993. Widowed at 28 with two young children to raise, Liz faced the long journey of pain, loss, and grief with great faith. Committed to encouraging others, she returned to her work in TV reporting, has published eight books, and hosts a weekly radio show. Please visit www.lizallison.com
Cecil Murphey is an international speaker and bestselling author who has written more than 100 books, including New York Times bestseller 90 Minutes in Heaven (with Don Piper). No stranger himself to loss and grief, Cecil has served as a pastor and hospital chaplain for many years, and through his ministry and books he has brought hope and encouragement to countless people around the world.
Please visit www.cecilmurphey.com
Why We Write About Loss
On the morning of July 12, 1992, my husband, Davey, left home like any other morning—he kissed my forehead and hugged our kids.That afternoon I answered a knock at the door, sensing something wasn’t quite right. When I glimpsed the faces of Davey’s two best friends—they didn't have to speak—the looks on their faces said it all.
That day, after lunch with his race team, Davey had hopped into his helicopter and taken an unplanned trip to the nearby Talladega Superspeedway to watch a buddy practice. Attempting to land in the infield, he had lost control of his helicopter and crashed. Although paramedics airlifted Davey to a Birmingham hospital, sixteen hours later he was pronounced dead.
Immediately following Davey’s death, I had to work through my grief enough to plan his funeral and make hundreds of small-but-significant decisions, all while maintaining the time and energy to care for our two young children, ages one and three. Well-wishing friends hovered around me and frequently asked, “What can I do for you?
Most of the time, I could only respond with a blank stare. Looking back, my friends could have done many things for me, but they didn’t know what to do, and I didn’t know what to tell them.
I hope the insights I have gained during the aftermath of Davey’s death will help you as you struggle with your own grief.
—Liz
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Two weeks after my father suffered a ministroke, a massive stroke took his life. On the day of his funeral, my older brother, Ray, died of cancer. Over the next eighteen months, I lost two brothers-in-law and my mother.
On the Sunday after Dad’s and Ray’s funerals, a parishioner rushed up to me, hugged me, and said, “Pastor, I heard about the deaths. Were they saved?”
I honestly don’t remember what I answered, but I wanted to shout, “Does it matter right now? I hurt. I’m so filled with pain that I’m not sure I can handle the worship service today!”
In 2007, our house burned down. Our son-in-law, Alan, died in the fire. The next day, a neighbor pulled up in front of our burned house, got out of his car, and started to look around. “Where did he die?” he asked.
Through the years, I’ve met many like those two people. Maybe they didn’t know what to say. Perhaps they were so focused on what they cared about that they were unaware of my pain. Instead of helping me, those comments made me feel even worse. What I needed was compassion. I didn’t get that from either of them, but I can offer it to you.
That’s why we’ve written this book.
—Cec
Table of Contents
Little Joys
You're Not Alone
One Simple Thing
Accepting Help
Make It Go Away
Why Did You Leave Me?
If Only I Had
What's Wrong With Self-pity?
Perfect Grieving
Am I Crazy?
Material Possessions
Facing Those Special Days
When you leave a comment on this blog review of Words of Comfort for Times of Loss, you will have an opportunity to win the Grand Prize seen below.
Grand Prize Giveaway includes:
Words of Comfort for Times of Loss
Heaven Is Real
Gift Edition, 90 Minutes in Heaven
Journal
Pens
Potato soup
Oyster crackers
Dove silky smooth milk chocolate
Dove silky smooth dark chocolate
Ultra-plush spa socks
Large gel eye mask
This special grandprize giveaway is designed especially for someone going through a difficult time. The winner can keep or pass along to someone who could use the pick-me-up.
Live the adventure,
