The Grief

"And do not grieve the Holy Spirit of God, with whom you were sealed for the day of redemption." Ephesians 4:30 (NIV)

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I did not know a Spirit could grieve.

I treated You like weather, indifferent to what I did, unaffected by my choices, simply present regardless.

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But love that can be grieved is love that is real.

You do not stay distant when I turn from You. You feel it, the way anyone who loves feels the absence of the one they love.

I have sensed it, that quiet ache after I chose what I knew would wound You.

I called it guilt.

It may have been Your own grief, closer to me than I imagined, mourning what I was choosing instead of You.

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Forgive me for the times I forgot You could be grieved at all.

You are not indifferent to what I do with this life.

You feel it, because You love me enough to feel it.

Grieved Spirit, let me feel what wounds You before I choose it, not only after.

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A Prayer of Thanksgiving

Thank You, Holy Spirit, for loving me enough to be grieved by what I do.

Thank You for not becoming distant when I wound You.

Teach me to feel what You feel before I act. Amen.

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