Rooted in Him: A Prayer Journal for Grief

Grief changes everything. It’s not just the big moments that feel different, but the smallest, ordinary ones too. The quiet of the house at night. The way dinner feels at the table with one chair empty. The days on the calendar that once brought celebration but now carry a weight you never imagined.

When my husband, Q, went to be with Jesus, my world shattered. He was the steady in my storm, the one who brought joy, laughter, and love into the fabric of our family. Suddenly, I was not just navigating my own sorrow, but also helping my children walk through theirs. Each of us grieves differently, yet together. And it’s in those moments of deep ache that I have clung most tightly to the Lord.

---

The Meaning of the Flowers

When I began to dream about a prayer journal for grief, I knew the cover needed to reflect not just beauty, but meaning. The flowers are more than decoration—they tell the story of our family.

• December’s flower is for Q. It’s his birth month, and when I see it, I’m reminded of him—the way he loved us, the way he made our home feel full, and the way his absence now leaves such a void. December carries both the chill of winter and the warmth of Christmas, and that tension feels like grief itself: cold and dark, yet still pierced by the promise of light.
• August’s flower is for me, Ella, and Kale. Three birthdays in one month, once filled with cake, balloons, and laughter echoing through our home. Now, August feels different. It reminds me that even in the middle of grief, life keeps moving. We keep breathing, keep growing, even when it feels impossible.
• May’s flower is for Lily and Fisher. My spring babies. Their birth flower speaks to new beginnings and the hope of life blossoming again. May reminds me that even when loss feels like it has taken everything, God still whispers promises of new life, fresh hope, and beauty from ashes.

Together, these flowers form a bouquet of our story—Q’s life, my own walk, and the precious children we raised together. They remind me that our family, though broken in ways I never wanted, is still rooted in love and still held by God.

---

Grief as a Companion

Grief is a companion I never invited, yet it sits beside me daily. Some mornings, I wake up with the weight of it pressing down before my feet ever touch the floor. Other days, I can almost breathe normally, until a song, a smell, or a memory brings the ache crashing back.

In the middle of that, prayer has been my lifeline. Not because I always know what to say, but because I’ve learned I don’t have to. Romans 8:26 reminds me that the Spirit intercedes for us with groans too deep for words. My journal has become a place where I let those groans fall onto paper, trusting that God translates them into prayers.

But in the fog of grief, even writing can feel hard. That’s why I created space for simple prompts—gentle ways to help me (and now you) step into God’s presence without pressure. Sometimes the only words I can manage are “Lord, I miss him.” And that’s enough.

---

Rooted in Him

The title of this journal came straight from Colossians 2:7:

“Let your roots grow down into Him, and let your lives be built on Him. Then your faith will grow strong in the truth you were taught, and you will overflow with thankfulness.”

When Q died, I felt like a tree in a storm, ripped at the roots. Everything familiar was suddenly foreign. But slowly, God began showing me that even in this season of loss, my roots could grow deeper—not in my own strength, but in His.

Being rooted in Him doesn’t erase the grief. It doesn’t take away the longing or the tears. But it does give me a foundation when the waves hit. It reminds me that my hope is not in circumstances but in Christ, the One who defeated death and promises eternal life.

---

The Heart Behind the Journal

This prayer journal isn’t about having polished prayers or perfect words. It’s about honesty before God. Some days my pages are filled with sorrow and anger. Other days, with gratitude for memories or glimpses of joy in the middle of pain.

I wanted a place where my children, or anyone grieving, could write their hearts out without judgment. Where tears could fall onto the page and be as much a prayer as the words themselves. Where Scripture could anchor weary souls when nothing else made sense.

The Rooted in Him Prayer Journal for Grief is born from that space—where sorrow and faith meet, and where God proves over and over that He is close to the brokenhearted.

---

My Prayer for You

If you’re reading this and carrying grief of your own, please know this: you are not alone. Grief may feel isolating, but there is a God who sees every tear and holds every piece of your broken heart.

My prayer is that as you open these pages, you’ll feel less pressure to “be okay” and more freedom to just be. To cry out. To remember. To hope. To trust that God can handle every emotion you bring to Him.

These flowers—December, August, May—tell the story of my family’s grief. Yours may look different. Your dates, your names, your memories. But what ties us together is the same: a Savior who understands loss, who meets us in the valley, and who promises that this isn’t the end.

Friend, may you grow rooted in Him. May your roots sink deep, holding you steady when the winds of sorrow blow. And may you find that even here—in the ache, in the longing—He is faithful.

Join Me in Person

Before I close, I want to share something special. On September 18th, I’ll be hosting a journal signing right here in the Kansas City area. This isn’t just about a Journal—it’s about community. It’s about sitting with others who know what it feels like to carry grief, and reminding one another that we don’t have to walk this road alone.

If you’re local, I would love for you to join me. This event will be your very first chance to purchase the Rooted in Him Prayer Journal for Grief and have it signed by me, Crazy Busy Mama, herself. But more than that, it’s a chance for us to meet face-to-face, to hug, to cry if we need to, and to celebrate the God who carries us through even the darkest valleys.

Grab your ticket here and make plans to be part of this evening.

I can’t wait to meet you, hear your stories, and walk alongside one another as we stay Rooted in Him.

Note: this event is very intimate, so tickets are VERY LIMITED!!

GRAB YOUR TICKET TO THE EVENT HERE

Once purchased, you will receive your physical ticket in the mail and all event information!

See you there!!

-CBM

Even though the event has come and gone, my prayer is this journal continues to be a blessing to you! Also, so many have asked about the ROOTED IN HIM shirts so we did open it up for those who are still wanting one and you can grab one HERE