“Therefore, we are not discouraged; rather, although our outer self is wasting away, our inner self is being renewed day by day. For this momentary light affliction is producing for us an eternal weight of glory beyond all comparison.” - 2 Cor 4:16-17

In this episode, Kelly, Elizabeth, and Brittany discuss the themes of loss, grief, and identity after experiencing the death of a child. They share personal stories on how their sense of self has changed and evolved through the grieving process. The conversation centers around the scripture passage from 2 Corinthians 4, which offers hope and encouragement in the midst of suffering. 

They explore how grieving their children has shaped their relationships with others and how grief has changed them, making them more human and compassionate towards others. They emphasize the importance of holding the tension between joy and suffering and finding grace in the midst of pain. The conversation concludes with reflections on the legacy of their children and the hope they find in the midst of grief.

Takeaways:

• Loss and grief deeply impact one's sense of identity and self

• The process of grieving involves reconfiguring one's inner self to hold the space of the loss

• Grief can change relationships and how one relates to others and to yourself 

• Perspective on life and the world is altered by the experience of loss 

• Loss and grief can be challenging and exhausting, but they also have the power to make us more human and compassionate towards others.

• Holding the tension between joy and suffering is a difficult but necessary part of the grieving and healing process.

• Grief is a lifelong journey, and it's important to give ourselves time and space to grieve and heal.

Sound Bites:

• "The heaviness and the horror and the suffering that we're enduring does hold the weight of eternal glory."

• "Nothing is wasted by God."

• "Loss and grief is hard and it's exhausting at times."

• "Before loss, it was like, oh, tra la la. Everything's great. Like had no worry, had no worry. And now there's much worry always, all the time and all the things."

• "Loss made me want to be more intentional with people and with relationships and just want to love people better."