August 3rd

“If we live, we live to the Lord, and if we die, we die to the Lord; so then, whether we live or whether we die, we are the Lord’s.” Romans 14:8

like a thief,
grief sneaks in—
but not to steal anything,
just sitting beside us
with hands folded quietly,
eyes brimming with memories.
with silent sighs, we whisper
in the emptiness where laughter
used to reside.
yet even there,
in that echoless hush,
we are not alone.
so then, whether we hold each breath
afraid it will tumble into sobs
or simply offer it back,
we are held in God’s grace
which never lets us go.
those we hold in our shattered hearts
are not lost, not forgotten,
and neither are we.
now and always, we belong
to the One who
waits with us
weeps with us
walks with us.

© 2025 Thom M. Shuman

Venmo: @Thom-Shuman