362: Spiritual Mayhem After Child Loss (with Becky Russell)

In this episode, Laura talks with Becky Russell about her daughter, Jae, who died in a car accident at sixteen. Becky shares how her deep spiritual foundation was shaken by the confusion and questions that followed, leaving her to wrestle with beliefs she once thought were unshakable.

Laura and Becky begin exploring four parts of our worldview that influence how we process grief: origin, morality, meaning, and destiny. In this first half of their conversation, they focus on origin and morality, discussing what we believe about where life comes from, how we determine truth, and what happens when child loss brings spiritual mayhem into everything we thought we knew. If your child’s death has left you confused about God or questioning beliefs you once felt certain about, this honest conversation is one you will want to hear.

Becky Russell, RN, MA, MSN, has spent her entire adult life in some form of extending mercy to others. As a registered nurse, with two master’s degrees in health care administration and education, she practiced in a variety of roles of Intensive Care, Cardiac Rehabilitation and Education. She recently retired from Baptist Health as the Director of Clinical Learning and Professional Development.

During her career, Becky spent years helping others navigate grief. Then on March 18, 2004, her daughter, Jae Lynn, and two of Jae Lynn’s friends, were killed in a car accident, and Becky found herself navigating her own deep grief. After the devastating loss, Becky joined and then began to facilitate a monthly support group for The Bereaved Parents of the USA. She is a creative national and local speaker and authors the Facebook blog “Weepyseeds”. Becky lives in Arkansas, with her husband, Ralph, of 44 years, and is the mother of Jae Lynn’s two surviving sisters.

(Note: The views and opinions of our guests outside of this podcast may not be in agreement with GPS Hope.)

This podcast episode is being sponsored by Chris and ReNae Trebelhorn, in honor of their son, Aaron.

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