Simon Thomas has a recognisable face – familiar to many as a Blue Peter host in the late 90’s and then as a presenter for Sky Sports. But last November, everything changed. His wife Gemma passed away – just 3 days after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. She was only 40 years old and Simon was now left with their eight year old son Ethan and an unbearable grief.

Simon, who has been open about his faith throughout his career, recently published a blog: A Grief Shared. In it, he describes how grateful he is for all the messages of encouragement and support but  ‘how the recurring message has been “be strong”’

He goes on to say that whilst he knows this is because people care but that actually strength through this tragedy feels very very hard and actually isn’t where God seems to be leading him. As he talks about his battle with insomnia and the many questions swirling around his head each day, Simon eventually comes to the following conclusion:

“This is what vulnerability looks like, and right now I can’t be any other way, and as I’ve now discovered, this is what being strong actually looks like.

I’ve been a Christian all my life and in a book in the Bible called 2 Corinthians it says this – “My grace is enough; it’s all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness.”

Tough though it might be to admit (some ignorant people might even call me a snowflake) but it is out of the weakness I feel now will come the strength to start a new life, to redraw and replan those hopes and dreams for the future with my boy.”

He also quotes 24-7 Prayer founder and pastor, Pete Greig: “Honest weakness takes courage. It affirms our common humanity, deepens friendship and elicits grace.” On Twitter, Greig called Simon’s blog “astonishingly honest.”

Here at CBN Europe, our thoughts and prayers continue to be with Simon and his family as they navigate through grief.

You can read Simon’s full post here.

If you’re currently experiencing grief and need someone to pray with you, then you can call our prayer centre. We’re open for prayer calls from 8-10am, 13.30 – 15.00 and 18.00 – 19.30, Monday – Friday. You can also get in touch through social media, by sending a message on Facebook or commenting on the post below.