I have made you and I will carry you. I will sustain you and I will rescue you.
-Isaiah 46:4

'And what happened after that?' One of Stacey's eager listeners asked. Stacey smiled kindly at the girl who'd walked in a few hours ago with a torn expression.

No matter how painful dredging up those memories was, it was worth it. It distracted the members of her Guilt, Grief and Christ group enough for them to all forget the pain and grief that was weighing them down. It was only temporary but that was okay because it was enough. Enough to give them hope and for Stacey, that alone made it more than worth it.

'Well,' She sucked in a sharp breath. 'Like they say, the rest was history.'

'History being?' A woman who recently lost her husband to a car accident asked.

'History being I opened up to Him. And He healed me regardless of everything I had said and done. Because that's just how amazing our God is. It took time. I won't lie to you and say it happened overnight or instantaneously. No. It took a while. A long while but I was able to deal with it and become who I am now. But only because God was with me every step of the way. It will hurt. I can't promise you a painless journey because it doesn't exist. Even Jesus Christ felt pain. And so it's going to hurt for a while but that's okay because it's supposed to hurt. You've lost someone that meant so much to you. Someone who probably was your world but life doesn't end. It hasn't ended yet. Not for you. So you having to keep going. You will heal but only if you let the Divine Healer heal you. You have to let Him in. Talk. Talk to someone. It could be me. It could be literally anyone. Just talk. Even if it's just to yourself and God. It helps. Talking goes a long way even though it may not seem like it now. And one more very important thing is, don't try to go on like nothing happened. I did that and it was a disaster. If I hadn't had David's help, I don't want to imagine how I would have ended up. So don't make the same mistake I did. You lost someone that was a part of your life. No matter how big or small that part is, it is going to leave a hole. Don't pretend it's not there. And lastly, be patient. It will take time but it will get better. It does get better.'

'And David?' A small girl of three years, who'd come with her mother because she couldn't find a suitable babysitter, asked. Her husband was fighting for his life against cancer. She and her eldest son take turns in coming because one of them has to be with the father always. Her other two kids are ten and eight. Whenever David can, he relieves them and stays  in their stead.

I chuckled. 'David? Well David is fine.'

'And?' The cute little girl gaped.

'And?' Stacey grinned.

'Are you married?' She asked. Her "r"s turned into "w".

'No!' Stacey's mouth fell open and a blush stole across her cheeks.

'Why not?' The little girl asked crossly.

'They are dating, honey. Marriage is a big step.' The little girl's mother said and looked at Stacey with deep knowing eyes. Stacey's blush deepened.

'Well, that's it for today. Thank you all for coming today. See you, hopefully and God-willingly, all of you, next week.' Stacey rounded up the session. They all said the Lord's prayer.

" Our father who art in heaven. Hallowed be your name. Your kingdom come. Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day, our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. Amen.' They all chorused.

After a few more prayers for strength, grace and guidance, everyone slowly got up and left, looking a lot lighter than they did when they walked in. And that was why Stacey did this. That was why she helped people learn to deal with grief. She knew how grief could swallow a person up whole. It had almost swallowed her up so she knew first hand. A satisfied smile slid onto her lips. She was giving and sharing with others the same thing God gave her.

She was David to these people. David didn't give up on her and so she would never give up on any of them.

The smile was still on her face when she turned around to clear up the area they had used for the meeting.

'I don't know what you hoped to achieve by telling us your sob story.' A girl with an ever-bitter expression since her twin sister died said snarkily. She was the only one who hadn't left already. Most of the other members avoided her because of how bitter she looked and her sarcastic remarks though she never took a jab at anyone. All her remarks were always directed towards herself. All the hurtful ones at least.

Her remark only caused Stacey's smiled to widened and turn kinder. If you had asked her three weeks ago what she thought of the rebellious teenager, Stacey would have said she was the most difficult person she'd ever met. But now, she considered Mary family. It had taken David pointing out the similarities between herself and Mary for Stacey to see just how alike they were. Even though Mary was still the most difficult of all the members, Stacey loved her the most. She could relate to her better than anyone.

'Mary! Why am I not surprised you're still here?' Stacey smiled. Despite Mary's cold and hard exterior, Stacey knew she was the kindest and most vulnerable of all the members. That's why loosing her twin hit so hard and she was having a hard time coping.

She usually stayed behind after everyone and after some sarcastic jibes, she would open up to Stacey and then slide her cold façade back on before leaving. But it was okay because Stacey knew one day, that façade will come off. Permanently. And the kind caring girl will be there for the whole world to see.

One day the pain won't be suffocating. It will be there but it will be more bittersweet than all-consuming.

'So how was your week?' Stacey asked.

'Jolly. I decided to adopt the cutest little pig ever.' Mary said sarcastically. Stacey smiled, unperturbed by Mary's sarcastic remark.

And so the healing continued.

Author's Note:

This is the end. Thanks for following Stacey on her journey of healing. Sorry for all those who wanted something longer and more detailed or anyone who's dissatisfied with the end. I didn't even know it was going to end this way. I just started writing and I somehow ended up here.

While I may not be the best writer out there and I may not know everyone's story, this is one story that inspires me and I hope it inspires you too.

Feel free to message me or leave a comment if you have any questions or anything at all.

Have a nice day/night!