I’ve been taking the time that I need to be kind to myself. Not placing a lot of pressure to do the “right” thing or feel a certain way. Just listening to my heart and attempting to heal in the ways that best suit me. It hasn’t been easy or straight forward, but it’s all I know to do…and I’m proud of myself for taking the time to do it.
Something that I’ve found oddly comforting is reading stories of people who have endured great loss, and somehow, some way, they go on. They endure. They press through the pain and search for a glimmer of hope in what seems like the darkest days.
These stories are sad, raw, emotional…but through all of that, I am inspired by the strength and resilience of those who walk them out.
Honestly, I haven’t even had to “search” for these stories. If we choose to listen, they are happening all around us. I’ll visit my Facebook page and read of a mother who suddenly lost her 3 year old daughter, yet is still showing up for her other children and husband. I’ve seen countless YouTube videos of women sharing their experience with Infertility. On Instagram, I’ll have women reach out to me sharing their story of early miscarriage, yet reminding me of God’s goodness through their subsequent healthy pregnancies. I’ll open a book about the stages of grief and read about husbands losing their wives and trying to navigate life on their own.
The reality is…loss, pain, grief, and disappointment are all a part of life.
But, with that…comes forms of Joy on the other side of the heartbreak. Life still goes on. We figure it out. Day by day, piece by piece…we get through it. And that gives me enormous hope.
Not only do the “lows” in life show us how truly strong we are…but they teach us to appreciate the “highs” at a whole new level. You may never truly know love until you’ve known pain. After tragedy, one can find comfort in even the smallest of things…things that we’d ordinarily take for granted. It’s a beautiful mess, all woven together. Impossible to separate the good from the bad because in most things, there will, in fact, be both.
In thinking of the highs and lows…
How perfectly fitting is it that today is Good Friday. The day on which Jesus would pay the ultimate price by taking on our sin and courageously enduring what many would consider the most gruesome execution of all time. He not only endured that pain, but he became sin itself…separating him from his Father God. God could no longer be with him. He did that for us.
But yet, the grave would not be able to hold him, for resurrection was soon coming. What an ultimately glorious “come back” it was. Jesus gave hope to the masses by saying “Look, I myself will be with you every day until the end of this present age”. What gladness comes from that! Even those who did not believe just days before, knew that there was power in his words now. They saw him die on a cross right in front of their eyes…but yet, he’s back to give hope to all nations. Through that massive amount of pain and suffering, came the most beautiful gift for all to receive. But it wouldn’t have happened without the sacrifice.
To me, this all ties in together in a very profound way. One that I am still asking God to continue to reveal to me as I process it. It’s as if, in my own personal journey of healing…God is using the visual of Easter and the Holy Week to teach me how life works. What we must endure to receive greatness. That pain is, an unavoidable component of life…but still, “Joy comes in the morning”.
What a beautiful thing.
Blessings & Love,
The Abundant life 