How to Trust God After a Tragic Loss

The journey through grief after losing a child is perhaps the most devastating experience a parent can face. Jackie Rose's story is a powerful testament to finding purpose through pain and allowing faith to transform tragedy into ministry.

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What's Discussed in this Episode?

Jackie's life changed forever when her eldest son, Randy, an Air Force serviceman, experienced a mental health crisis following intensive military training. What began as marital problems escalated into an unthinkable tragedy when Randy, trained to disassociate from emotions during combat situations, attacked his wife, children, and father-in-law before taking his own life. The miracle in this devastating situation was that despite the severity of the attack, all four family members survived when Jackie's daughter-in-law called out the name of Jesus three times during the assault.

The aftermath of trauma created layers of complex grief that affected every aspect of Jackie's life. She temporarily became a co-parent to her grandchildren while they recovered from physical and emotional wounds. The family had to navigate PTSD symptoms, help young children process their trauma, and find ways to move forward when the foundation of their lives had been shattered. Both overwhelming challenges and profound expressions of faith marked this period.

Jackie describes grief as a "stowaway" – something that never truly leaves but becomes an integral part of one's life journey. After her grandchildren and daughter-in-law moved away to begin rebuilding their lives, Jackie finally had space to process her own grief. This period coincided with difficulties in her marriage, as her husband, who wasn't a believer, processed trauma differently. Eventually, their marriage ended, adding another layer of loss to Jackie's experience.

Through these compounding losses, Jackie found purpose in founding "Grieving Moms Finding Hope," a ministry specifically designed for mothers who have lost children. What sets this ministry apart is its four pillars: Christ, church, community, and compassionate care. The organization provides workbooks, retreats, Zoom meetings, and support groups for grieving mothers worldwide. Jackie transformed her devastating experience into a global community that has helped hundreds of women move from hopelessness to healing.

Jackie's book, "My Landslide and the Divine Digout," further explores her journey and offers hope to others facing seemingly insurmountable grief. Her message emphasizes that while we can't change the past, we can embrace God's promise from Isaiah 43:19: "See, I am doing a new thing. Now it springs up. Do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."

Perhaps the most significant aspect of Jackie's testimony is her refusal to allow tragedy to have the final word. Despite experiencing the ultimate parental nightmare, she maintains that there is always hope through faith and that no one should face grief alone. Her ministry exemplifies how community, faith, and compassionate support can help transform grief into purpose, allowing those who have experienced profound loss to resurface and find meaning again eventually.

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For anyone navigating the wilderness of grief, Jackie's story offers both validation of the pain and a roadmap toward healing. By connecting grieving mothers with others who truly understand their experience, she has created a sacred space where healing can begin – proving that even in our darkest moments, light can eventually break through.