Grieving With God

What happens when the love of your life dies — and you have seven children?In this episode of Grieving with God, I sit down with Carrissa Yoder to talk about widowhood, parenting through loss, and what faith looks like when your world has been torn apart.Carrissa shares about losing her husband — the man she deeply loved — as well as the grief of losing her sister. She speaks honestly about how each of her children has processed loss differently, and how surprising and humbling that has been as a mother.We talk about:The reality of the second year of grief — and how it can feel harder in new waysWhat it’s like to want to do nothing but grieveHow community showed up in ways she didn’t expectThe tension of trusting God while living with deep painParenting children who are grieving in their own unique waysThe role of therapy in walking through loss as a familyHow grief evolves over time instead of simply “getting better” She reminds us that acknowledging pain does not mean we doubt God’s goodness.Carissa's Instagram - @carissayoderhttps://www.instagram.com/carissayoder/?hl=en Chapters00:00 — Carrissa’s Story: Love, Loss, and Widowhood03:55 — How Grief Changed Their Family07:48 — Children, Therapy, and Individual Grieving Styles11:41 — When Community Shows Up15:32 — Losing More Than One Person19:32 — The Second Year of Grief25:26 — Moving Forward and Relocating28:41 — Parenting Through Uncertainty33:37 — Trusting God With the Future

I love telling stories and my guest Ashley Crane does too. This Episode was recorded in April of 2025. I had quite a spring and summer this year and Grieving with God production was put on hold for an extended time. But now we are back .Listen to my interview with Ashley Crane and her beautiful reflection on the death of her grandfather right before a huge life change, and grieving other life changes in her life. Grief is not just losing a loved one. Grief comes in many different forms. Grief is not just for the old people. Even young people lose people they love, young people face large life changes that cause grief. Ashley tells us about her grieving moments and the moments God was with her. And soon my interview with Ashley on her podcast GodWinks will air. Be sure to stay tuned and I will let you know when it airs. https://open.spotify.com/show/3d3CNbF0YWft6f3KZ4oQxF?si=d6d9dc81fe0d48b8

In this episode, we sit with a story shaped by unexpected turns—years of infertility, an autism diagnosis, traumatic and rapid labors, and a daughter who walked through infertility, adoption, and a child facing serious medical challenges.Our guest shares what it has been like to carry grief and faith across generations: first as a mother navigating her own losses, and now as a grandmother supporting her daughter through medical diagnosis she never saw coming. We talk honestly about the shock of early delivery, the ache of leaving a tiny baby in the NICU, and the confusing mix of joy and grief that can exist at the same time.This conversation doesn’t offer easy answers or spiritual clichés. Instead, it explores how God’s presence often shows up quietly—in Scripture that anchors us, in prayers we barely have words for. Drawing from Psalm 139, we reflect on what it means to trust that every child is fearfully and wonderfully made, even when the story feels unbearably fragile.If you’ve ever wondered where God is in the middle of medical trauma, infertility, or watching someone you love suffer, this episode is an invitation to consider that He may be closer than you think.He Grieves with us!

We have been in Maine for over a year. And the podcast celebrate a year of episodes in October. But I have been so busy with life, a new job, a new home, and the coming holidays that the podcast got away from me. So here is a brand new episode> This episode was recorded on my phone at the beach in August. We hadn't found our home yet, and so you will hear me talk about our home search here in Maine. As promised here is the link to the virtual retreat we had in July. It was a wonderful time of worship, and learning about grief and how to lament. https://youtu.be/PU0YNV8N3W0Stay tuned for more episodes coming every month!

In this special episode of the Grieving with God podcast, host Dawn Byington interviews Heather Canaday, a passionate seminary student and retreat speaker, as they explore the sacred practice of lamenting our sin. Heather shares her heart for women in ministry and invites us into a deeper, more honest relationship with God through grief over personal wrongdoing.At the retreat Heather will talk about the difference between shame and godly sorrow, how confession can lead to freedom, and experience a guided Anglican prayer of confession.Whether you’re walking through personal loss or wrestling with spiritual guilt, this episode offers truth, compassion, and hope. Listen to more episodes: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grieving-with-god/id1771830477 Register for the July 12 Virtual Retreat: https://dawnbyington.wixsite.com/grievingwithgod/virtualretreat #ChristianGrief #ConfessionAndLament #AnglicanPrayer #VirtualRetreat #WomenInMinistry #GrievingWithGod #FaithAndHealing #HeatherCanaday #DawnByington #SpiritualGrief #HonestFaith #ChristianPodcast

In this powerful episode, Dawn Byington sits down with Cassie Patillo, a pastor’s wife, speaker, Bible teacher, and adoptive mom, to talk about her family’s newest adoption journey, how God has shown up in unexpected ways, and what she plans to share at the upcoming Rest and Respite Retreat. Cassie opens up about trusting God through loss, waiting, and new beginnings—and encourages others to meet God in their own stories of grief and healing.Whether you're walking through sorrow, wrestling with unanswered prayers, or seeking hope, Cassie’s wisdom and vulnerability will inspire you to cling to God's goodness in every season.Follow Cassie here: https://www.instagram.com/casspattillo/?hl=enand here: https://linktr.ee/casspattillo👉 Learn more about the Rest and Respite Retreat (July 12) and sign up at: https://dawnbyington.wixsite.com/grievingwithgod/virtualretreat📍 Subscribe and listen on your favorite platform#GriefSupport #ChristianPodcast #AdoptionJourney #FaithInHardTimes #CassiePatillo #GrievingWithGodPodcast

In this heartfelt and surprisingly humorous episode, we dive into the loss of a beloved grandmother — including a lighthearted story about scrambling to find funeral clothes in the middle of deep grief. Join us as we explore the real, raw, and sometimes unexpectedly funny moments that come with mourning someone you love.Whether you’ve lost a grandparent or are navigating grief of any kind, this episode offers connection, comfort, and a reminder that God meets us in all of it — even in the awkward or ridiculous parts.👑Brandi is the host of the Bossy Big Sis podcast find it here: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/bossy-big-sis/id1740446724👉 LISTEN to the full podcast episode:🎧 Grieving with God Podcast: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/grieving-with-god/id1771830477 🌻 SIGN UP for the Rest & Respite Virtual Retreat – July 12, 10AM–1PM ETThis is a sacred space for those grieving loss, transition, or change. Come for worship, speaker encouragement, and community.👉 Register now: https://dawnbyington.wixsite.com/grievingwithgod/virtualretreat✨ In this episode you'll hear about:Grieving the loss of a grandmotherFinding humor in unexpected moments of sorrowGod's presence in pain and family transitionsHow community and shared stories help in the healing journey#GrievingWithGod #ChristianGriefSupport #FaithAndGrief #GriefJourney #LossOfGrandmother #FunnyFuneralStory #RestAndRespiteRetreat #ChristianPodcast #GriefSupport #GodInTheGrief #FaithAfterLoss

✨ Part Two of my interview with Chrystie Cole. Learn more about Chrystie Here - https://wholeheartedproject.org/ Lament is a prayer for when words fail.It’s how we show up at God’s door—trembling, tear-stained, and still hoping He answers.Listen to this week’s episode of Grieving with God as we talk about how lament opens the door to God’s presence.#DevotionalThought #FaithInTheDark #GriefJourney #Lament #SpiritualWrestling #GodInGrief✨ Registration is OPEN! ✨The Rest and Respite Retreat is happening Saturday, July 12 from 10 AM–1 PM EST, and you’re invited.This virtual retreat includes:Two encouraging speakersGentle worshipA live interview about grief and healingBreakout sessions to connectYou’ll leave feeling seen, supported, and not so alone.💻 All online. Recordings available one week after the retreat!🎟️ Sign up today ! https://dawnbyington.wixsite.com/grievingwithgod/virtualretreat#ChristianRetreat #VirtualGriefRetreat #FaithAfterLoss #GriefSupport #GrievingWithGod #RestAndRespite

Can we actually grieve biblically? What does that look like? What is lament and how is it different from despair or complaining? Author Chrystie Cole walks us through the Psalms and a biblical way to Lament and come to God with our grief. Chrystie is the founder of the Whole Hearted project. "After decades of helping women in the church walk through brokenness, Chrystie recognized a need for intentional shepherding focused on the healing and hope found in Scripture. The Wholehearted Project brings flourishing to fractured lives by helping women strip off the sin, shame, and suffering that entangles them and find freedom in the restorative work of Jesus Christ." Check out her ⁠website⁠ and resources. Also don't forget so sign up for our ⁠Virtual Retreat⁠ coming this July! Sign up at the link above. Please like, share, subscribe, and leave a review. If this content touched your life, or was helpful in any way we could use your help in getting the word out.

Join me this Mother's day weekend as I talk about Grief as worship. Not just worshipping through grief but that our grieving is actually an offering of worship to God. I am excited to announce a Re-Launch of the Grieving with God Podcast. May 19th I will begin releasing interview episodes. Chrystie Cole from the WholeHearted Project will be our first guest and she will speak to us about Lament and how we can biblically grieving through the Psalms. As always like or subscribe, and please leave us a review. This will help us to become more visible for others to find great resources on greif from our podcast. Happy Mothers Day!

The first Sunday of May is International Bereaved Mother's Day. Join me as I discuss what is this day and how can we honor those in our lives who have lost children.

A follow up episode of the episode Grieving Saturday. I think it is so important, as we grieve, that we also remember to rejoice. Listen as I talk about the resurrection on Sunday and how we can be rejoicing even in sorrow.

What was it like for those who were there the day Jesus was crucified? What was Saturday like for them? Did the father also Grieve?Join me today for this special Good Friday/ Grieving Saturday episode. I reflect on those on what Saturday might have been like for those following Jesus.

Kimalee Finelli talks with us this week about spiritual and church abuse. How does this relate to grief and how do we go through something traumatic and not turn our backs on God? Join us this week as we dive into these questions.You can find Kimalee's book ⁠here⁠: https://a.co/d/2EhtrwH And her website ⁠here: https://www.kimaleefinelli.com/

Kimalee Finelli talks with us this week about spiritual and church abuse. How does this relate to grief and how do we go through something traumatic and not turn our backs on God? Join us this week as we dive into these questions.You can find Kimalee's book here And her website here

In this episode of Grieving with God, Adam Sanders shares his powerful story of sorrow, loss, and discovering God’s presence in the midst of pain. Adam reflects on how his faith was tested—and ultimately strengthened—as he and his wife faced a bone marrow transplant. If you’ve ever questioned where God is in your suffering, this conversation offers raw honesty, encouragement, and the reminder that He is always near.🎧 Listen now for a story of hope, faith, and God’s unwavering presence in grief.#ChristianPodcast #FaithThroughGrief #GodInSuffering #GrievingWithGod #SpiritualHealing #Grief

In this episode of Grieving with God, Adam Sanders opens up about the hidden struggles of navigating his wife Kelsey’s blood disorder and the unexpected grief that comes with it. He shares their journey of faith, fear, and resilience, offering an honest look at the pain of watching a loved one suffer. Tune in for a powerful conversation about trusting God in the unknown, coping with silent grief, and finding hope amid uncertainty.

Join me as I speak about our son Ezekiel and carrying him 20 weeks while we knew he could die at any moment. I tackle the difficult conversations around death, especially infant death and stillbirth. I want to offer a safe place for our feelings, thoughts, and pain to be expressed. A place where we might find ret and respite from the turmoil of loss. I hope you join me wekly as we explore various topics of loss and grief. May you find a place to be seen and heard, and come rest in the Lord as we learn and understand how he grieves with us.

Welcome back to the Grieving with God, the podcast where we have honest conversations about grief and loss. Today, we're going to tackle something deeply personal and often misunderstood: a blighted ovum.For those who may not know, a blighted ovum occurs when a fertilized egg implants in the uterus but doesn't develop into an embryo. It’s a loss that can feel profoundly isolating.Today, we’ll explore what it means to stand on that foundation when the ground beneath us feels like it’s crumbling. How do we trust in His promises when life doesn’t look like we thought it would? How do we hold on to His truth when our circumstances feel unbearable?And before we dive in, I want to share something new with you. I’ll be releasing shorter mini-episodes where I open up about our loss of Ezekiel—our son who had Trisomy 18—and how that experience has shaped my understanding of grief, faith, and God’s presence. My prayer is that these moments of reflection will encourage you wherever you are in your journey.

Join us for an insightful conversation with Ginger Wilk, a Counselor and Podcast host of That Which Matters. We explore the complexities of loss, the healing process, and ways to navigate healthy grieving. Find the link to Ginger's show below. Thank you for listening to Grieving with God. Please leave a review and like, share and follow!https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/that-which-matters/id1682602023