Kathe Wunnenberg - Grieving the Loss of a Loved One: A Devotional Companion

With love and gratitude to my husband, Rich Wunnenberg. You inspired me through your own grief journey to trust God.

Thank you for being my life partner, best friend, encourager, a shoulder I could cry on, and a candle to light my darkest moments. You are a true reflection of Christ to me.

And to all those who are journeying through their own grief.

You keep me motivated to press on in spite of my pain.

WRITING A BOOK IS a lot like trying to have a baby. It may happen easily or never, or it may take years. While this project came together, I was in the process of grieving the loss of my son and recovering from two miscarriages. I was on a physical, emotional, and spiritual roller coaster. I didnt know if I would have the endurance or stamina to deliver the project.

Then I discovered I was pregnant again. I panicked. I felt I didnt need more illustrations about loss. I had to trust God and not lean on my own understanding. As my waistline disappeared and my deadline approached, my fax machine, e-mail, phone, and mailbox became flooded with insights from people who had lost loved ones. They affirmed the need for this book. They gave me the courage to labor on and to stay focused on the outcome of changing lives.

This project has enlarged my soul and stretched me beyond my limits. It has unleashed my passion to provide hope to the hurting and to proclaim the good news of Gods faithfulness. I am amazed as I bend over my six-month bulging belly to look at my completed manuscript, ready to be delivered into my editors hands. It has been a long and intense labor of love that I could have never completed without the support of many people. May this baby produce fruit and multiply Gods kingdom. I salute my co-laborers:

The Zondervan Publishing Team

Thank you for believing in me and seeing the potential in this project. I deeply appreciate your creative staff, commitment to excellence, encouragement, and prayers.

Ann Spangler, youre a great senior acquisitions editor and encourager! You see beyond conception. Your ability, flexibility, and sensitivity made it a less painful labor.

Janet Kobobel Grant, youre a great editing coach who helped me to breathe to the finish! Thanks for your insights and heart for this project.

Verlyn Verbrugge, thanks for your finishing touches.

The Contributors

Thanks to those who provided me with valuable feedback from my questionnaire and with personal insights and stories about your losses. I received many moving stories but could share only a portion of them in this book.

Thanks to my mom, Alice Stephens, for keeping the faxes coming with research, ideas, and verses. Thanks, Mom, for your love and prayers and for being my biggest cheerleader through the years.

The PIT Team (Personal Intercessory Team)

Thanks to forty-six of you throughout the United States and Canada for laboring on your knees for this project and me. You helped carry me through to completion! I hope youll continue through the next book. If I had to choose between Pitosin and prayer, prayer delivers!

The Mentors

Thanks to John McAdam, who instilled the dream to write; the University of Missouris journalism school, which sharpened my skill; Carol Kent, who saw my potential as a Christian communicator, cheered me on, and published my story in her book; Judy Couchman, for modeling perseverance as a writer, for teaching me, and for connecting me with Ann Spangler; Traci Mullins, for reading my proposal; The Vision Group, for coming alongside me with support and encouragement; Dottie Escabedo-Frank and Margie Erbe, for being my grief mentors.

The Up-Close-and-Personal Local Team

Rich Wunnenberg, my husband, best friend, technical support, encourager, and grief mentor, thank you for helping me to fulfill my dream of being pregnant and writing a book and for sharing the labor with me by listening to me read every story aloud.

Jake Wunnenberg, youre a terrific son, who is sensitive to my needs and gives great hugs! Thanks for sharing picnics at the cemetery and happy-sad tears with me.

Lisa Jernigan and Jan James for being Jesus-with-skin-on friends, who walked with me through the fire of my losses. Thanks for loving me unconditionally and just being there.

Christian Business Womens Association for reflecting Christ to me.

Mountain Park Community Church for your meals and love in action.

Jesus Christ, You are the great physician and true deliverer of this project. Nothing is impossible with You. Thanks for being my Lord and Savior.

SPECIAL OCCASIONS, HOLIDAYS, AND personal circumstances may trigger your grief and expose a new dimension of living life without your loved one. When you encounter these times in your journey and desire encouragement or a fresh perspective, turn to the selected reading for that specific day or need.

New Years Day.........................................219

Valentines Day..........................................201

Veterans Day...........................................102

Good Friday.............................................66

Easter Sunday...........................................137

Graduation.............................................116

Back to School..........................................158

Anniversary...........................................49, 96

Birthdays...........................................119, 185

Mothers Day.............................................42

Fathers Day.........................................78, 232

Weddings...............................................194

Thanksgiving............................................225

Christmas...........................................188, 229

Loss of a Grandchild.......................................60