you grieve as deeply as you loved

I have learned you grieve as deeply as you loved.

And because I loved the church with my entire heart, I grieved with my entire heart.

It hurt physically even. Sometimes the pain felt like more than I could bear.

This grieving process went on for years and sometimes still has pieces coming up.

I learned that for many that step away, it is not easy or convenient. It hurts more than people can imagine.