Forty Days

There is a time of remembrance in the Greek Orthodox Church that occurs forty days after a person dies.  Special food is prepared to enjoy following the gathering.  My parents, both of whom died in January, were recently honored with a forty day service, held at the conclusion of the regular morning worship.

I was telling a friend familiar with the tradition, about the difficulty I was having dealing with the complicated layers of their passing.  She suggested I begin a forty day period of reflection dealing specifically with the loss.  She didn't offer an agenda or plan, just the idea.  

The next day, I got a few pieces of paper, brought my heart to God, and asked God to sit with me in grief.  Each day I sat in silence for a few minutes focusing on some aspect of my loss.  I recorded a thought, a scripture, or a brief sketch- whatever came at the end of each day.  Sometimes there was a new insight or perspective.  Other days brought questions or emotions.  Always I felt God's presence, and companionship.

I reached the fortieth day a few weeks ago, coming to a place of peace regarding my mother and the life we shared.  I was so grateful.

The period of forty days occurs often in the Bible.  Noah was in the ark forty days.  Jesus went to the wilderness for forty days.  Lent lasts forty day.  There might be other references to forty days in the Old and New Testament.

I want to offer forty days of reflection for any difficulty or challenge you are facing.  Forty days resting with God could be effective for discernment, dealing with loss, celebrating an event, planting a garden or being present to any life experience.

I am thankful for the way a Greek Orthodox tradition brought me clarity.  Although I feel like I experienced two Lents this year, I have also celebrated two Easters!!

I am so grateful for the way God worked through an intentional forty day period of reflection for personal growth and healing.

Jacquie Reed