The weather matches the weight I am feeling in this moment. With every drop I watch fall through the neighboring office window, I am questioning whether I should take it on or release it. Take it on or release it?
I think, I too, am feeling the need for answers. Answers that don't exist for many reasons. The greatest of which is that we are imperfect and we hurt people, whether we mean to or not. And that stories are so incredibly twisted sometimes. That people you hardly know can instantly, in the most peculiar of situations, become friends for life. And others whom we labor and toil with for years have become just a thing of the past.
A friend said, today, "through pain we grow" and I believe that's true. And I am thankful that sometimes scars are not meant to be reminders of the pain but the growth. The beauty bursting through the surface of a wounded place in our lives. The ability that we have, in relationship with the Lord, to be healed. Truly healed, no matter how long it takes. Or is taking.
Even now, I smile as I run my right index finger over a tiny divot in the skin of my left thumb. I know that one of my best friends can also do the same on her right thumb, because we have matching scars from a particular day three months ago. I know and remember, because of this scar, that we both had to work and struggle for those moments of beauty and reward that the day and that experience offered. Gliding and pushing ourselves across the water in kayaks, instead of taking the shuttle across. And I think that's how it is with life, too.
Wouldn't we all like to coast?
And the reality is that most of us can't. It's the nature of the beast and I think that's the way God meant it. Becuase how much more value and growth happens when we push ourselves and are, by circumstance, pushed back in places that hurt! Places that don't make sense. Places where only the Lord knows what in the world He's doing with us. And then we learn to let our scars be a reminder of not just how we have been hurt but possibly what the Lord accomplished or is accomplishing through it...
whether we understand it or not.
I think, I too, am feeling the need for answers. Answers that don't exist for many reasons. The greatest of which is that we are imperfect and we hurt people, whether we mean to or not. And that stories are so incredibly twisted sometimes. That people you hardly know can instantly, in the most peculiar of situations, become friends for life. And others whom we labor and toil with for years have become just a thing of the past.
A friend said, today, "through pain we grow" and I believe that's true. And I am thankful that sometimes scars are not meant to be reminders of the pain but the growth. The beauty bursting through the surface of a wounded place in our lives. The ability that we have, in relationship with the Lord, to be healed. Truly healed, no matter how long it takes. Or is taking.
Even now, I smile as I run my right index finger over a tiny divot in the skin of my left thumb. I know that one of my best friends can also do the same on her right thumb, because we have matching scars from a particular day three months ago. I know and remember, because of this scar, that we both had to work and struggle for those moments of beauty and reward that the day and that experience offered. Gliding and pushing ourselves across the water in kayaks, instead of taking the shuttle across. And I think that's how it is with life, too.
Wouldn't we all like to coast?
And the reality is that most of us can't. It's the nature of the beast and I think that's the way God meant it. Becuase how much more value and growth happens when we push ourselves and are, by circumstance, pushed back in places that hurt! Places that don't make sense. Places where only the Lord knows what in the world He's doing with us. And then we learn to let our scars be a reminder of not just how we have been hurt but possibly what the Lord accomplished or is accomplishing through it...
whether we understand it or not.
1 comment:
I resonate with this today. And yes, I don't think we're allowed to coast, at least not for very long.
I am beginning to believe more and more that line about suffering producing character, and also beginning to realize exactly how important that kind of character is.. there are some things you can only learn through pain. some beautiful things.
but sometimes the world is so messed up and people are so dirty and hurting and beyond repair that it makes me a little nuts. you know? frustrated. the beauty shines all the brighter, but for crying out loud--just bring us home, Lord.
sorry. that's about a whole blog post of my own, right there. but like i said, it resonated.
love you.
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