Episode Details

Wow, friend:

When Misty Doyle's father was diagnosed with cancer, she began grieving immediately—but felt confused about whether she was "doing it right." Seven years later, when he died, she discovered something profound: everyone in her family grieved differently, and none of them were wrong. Then came an unexpected twist: her twin son Jack's autism diagnosis taught her that grief isn't only for the dead. You can grieve someone who's still living, and that's okay too.

In this moving episode, Misty shares her journey of writing Grief is More Than Gray, an "un-manual" for grief that gives people permission to grieve in their own way, on their own timeline. Through the biblical story of the road to Emmaus, Misty reveals how Jesus gave His followers permission to grieve—walking alongside them, listening to their disappointment, never rushing them to "get over it."

In This Episode:

• The night her father died: why everyone's response was different—and all were valid
• "Whose response was right?" The answer that changes everything about grief
• Why our culture teaches us a grief "checklist" that doesn't exist
• Luke 24 through the lens of grief: Jesus walking with disappointed disciples
• "We had hoped He was the Messiah"—the power of unmet expectations
• How Jack's speech delay and autism diagnosis opened a new dimension of grief
• Grieving someone who is living: autism, developmental delays, and dashed expectations
• The first-grade boy who prayed with childlike faith—and what happened next
• When Jack said "Mom" for the first time after an entire school prayed
• "God, I see hundreds of kids, not just your one son"—the bigger picture
• Isaiah 53:10: "It was the Lord's good plan to crush Him"—calling grief good
• The hole in your living room: the best analogy for navigating grief
• Why grief never goes away (and shouldn't)
• Jesus doesn't pull you out of the hole—He climbs in with you
• Letting go of the timeline: giving yourself permission to grieve

Key Themes: Grief without timeline, grieving the living, autism parent grief, childhood cancer death, no stages of grief, Luke 24 road to Emmaus, permission to grieve, cultural expectations of grief, grieving differently, anger at God, disappointed faith, childlike prayer power, school community prayer, Isaiah 53 suffering, Mary's grief, anxious grief, navigating loss, hole in living room analogy, Jesus walks alongside grief

Whether you're grieving a death, an autism diagnosis, infertility, a prodigal child, a parent with dementia, or dreams that died, this episode offers profound permission: there's no "right way" to grieve. God gives you permission to feel what you feel, for as long as you need. He's not rushing you to the next stage—He's walking right beside you through every valley.

Content Note: This episode discusses cancer death, hospice care, childhood grief, autism diagnosis, speech delays, developmental disabilities, anger at God, and the long journey of grief with honesty and hope.

May you find God’s hand in the midst of your own grief today, my friend.

Always, Anna

Mentions:

• Connect with Mistie on Facebook and Instagram 
• Grab your copy of Mistie’s book Grief is More Than Gray today 
• Luke 24:13-32 (NIV) 

• Listen Now