Episode 39: Making Wine not Lemonade

We know that all things work for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

Summary:

In this episode of 'It's Not For Nothing', the hosts celebrate their third year of podcasting and reflect on the purpose of their show, which is to create a safe space for grieving parents. They discuss the growth of Red Bird Ministries, the importance of community support, and the various initiatives aimed at helping families cope with child loss. The conversation delves into the metaphor of turning lemons into lemonade versus grapes being crushed into wine and fermenting over time. They share the complexities of grief, acceptance, and the hope that can emerge from pain. The hosts emphasize the importance of witnessing each other's journeys and the power of sharing stories to foster connection and healing.

Takeaways:

  • We aim to create a safe space for grieving parents.

  • Community support is vital in navigating grief.

  • Red Bird Ministries has grown significantly in the past two years.

  • The app provides a platform for connection and support.

  • Sibling support initiatives are crucial for families.

  • Grief is complex and cannot be simplified to 'lemons to lemonade'.

  • Grief is more like the fermentation of wine after the grapes have been crushed. 

  • Acceptance in grief does not mean being okay with loss.

  • Witnessing each other's journeys can provide hope.

  • It's important to hold on to the knots that keep us grounded.

  • The journey of grief is unique for everyone and takes time.

Discussion Questions:

  1. How does it feel to consider your grief journey as grapes becoming wine? Where do you see yourself in that process?

  2. What does acceptance of your child’s death mean to you?

  3. In what ways, large or small, have you seen evidence that it’s not for nothing? Are there ways you have seen God’s hand in your grief? 

Elizabeth Leon

Elizabeth Leon is the Director of Family Support for Red Bird Ministries. She and her husband Ralph are from Ashburn, Virginia and have ten children between them - five of hers, four of his, and their son, John Paul Raphael who died on January 5, 2018. His short and shining life was a sacred experience that transformed her heart and left a message of love for the world: let yourself be loved. She writes about finding the Lord in the darkness of grief in her book Let Yourself Be Loved: Big Lessons from a Little Life, available wherever books are sold. Read more from Elizabeth at www.letyourselfbeloved.com.

Previous
Previous

Episode 40: A Mother Who Knows

Next
Next

Episode 38: Dads Grieve Too