Claypool, Foreword. Acknowledgments. Introduction. Part I: The Unwanted Gift. Grief As Gratitude, Grief As Gift. Everyone Grieves Differently. Factors That Affect the Wilderness of Grief. Part II: The Wilderness of Grief. Unbelievable Darkness. Frustration and Anger Amid "Why?" Praying for a Miracle. Wrestling with Sadness and Depression. Healing: Experiencing the Light Again. And Yet…We Never Forget! Part III: Sojourners in the Wilderness—How to Help. Being a Sojourner. Sojourning with Those in Unbelievable Darkness. Sojourning with Those Frustrated and Angry Amid "Why?" Sojourning with Those Praying for a Miracle. Sojourning with Those Wrestling with Sadness and Depression. Sojourning with Those in Healing and Light. Part IV: More Ways toward Transformation. Marriage: Tough Enough Without Grief. Ways of Making It through the Wilderness of Grief. Notes. Suggested Reading. Index.
Biography
Tim P. VanDuivendyk, DMin, MDiv, BS, is chaplain and assistant vice president of spiritual care and development at Memorial Hermann Healthcare System in Houston, Texas.
“You might think everything that can possibly be said about grief is already written. Not so. Van Duivendyk’s personal experience with grief, plus decades of service as a hospital chaplain, a licensed professional counselor, and marriage and family therapist, enable him to speak to the subject from a unique perspective. The book avoids technical/academic jargon and is easy to understand. It is particularly meaningful to Christians who struggle with the faith aspects of loss.”
Andrew D. Lester, PhD, professor emeritus of pastoral theology and pastoral counseling, Brite Divinity School, Texas Christian University
“This book provides the structured learning required by most health professionals to conscientiously care for their patients and clients and grief. It should stand beside A Grief Observed by C. S. Lewis as the map or guideline to the stages of passion, grief, and discovery.”
Elizabeth McSherry, MD, MPH, national consultant to Veterans Administration Chaplaincy
“This book has certainly been a ministry to me. The author provides a theologically sound and practical approach to dealing with one of life’s most difficult and complex issues. Grief is a tough wilderness journey, and this book is invaluable and helping one through it.”
Dan S. Wilford, MHA, former president of Memorial Hermann healthcare system
“Van Duivendyk has clearly laid out his approach and presented it in a very manageable segments which will appeal to chaplains, local clergy, and especially Christian lay people. The author strikes an excellent balance between theory and practice.”
Joan E. Hemenway, DMin, president, Association for Clinical Pastoral Education
