So often, we live our every day lives, struggling through the week, just hanging out for the weekends. The weekends come and go, then it's back to the grind - whether it's a job, the drudgery of the chores that come with parenting (which really don't stop on the weekend), school or just your usual routine that can sometimes feel like a drag. We so often miss the beauty during the mundane or even difficult times.
I've been relating this to life in general... how I can tend to live for those moments when everything is going okay, there aren't any pressures or worries and I feel joyful and happy (just like a weekend) then... boom, reality hits (whether it's in the form of a problem, stress, a difficult situation or conflict) and here I am again hanging out for those 'weekend' moments, trying to escape my now.
I think sometimes we dream of life being one big weekend with no pressures, no sorrow, no tension or worries... but in reality that's not real life. Life is full of ups and downs, highs and lows. You can't have the mountain tops without the valleys.
Real life is messy and tough. Real life is sometimes extremely hard, and you can't do anything but keep going, keep praying and encouraging those around you to 'just keep swimming' (to quote Dory).
I need to keep reminding myself is that it's often in those difficult moments, those moments of grief or struggle or conflict, that the beauty of life, relationships and my faith is really seen. It's not until we face sorrow that we value joy, or face sickness that we treasure health and life. It's not until we face pain or brokenness that the true value of hope and healing is seen.
The last couple of months have been a bit of a tough ride for my family. To watch someone you love dearly having to face decisions and treatments and the unknown of a journey ahead is difficult. But during this journey there has been a beautiful closeness, tears and laughter, many prayers, amazing support and lots of hope for the future ahead.
To quote from the new Switchfoot album, sometimes 'the wound is where the light shines through'.
So here's to finding joy in the mundane of your week, hope in the darkness and beauty in the struggle and conflict. I'm a firm believer that God can make beauty from ashes and turn our sorrow into joy (Isaiah 61:3).
Without the week, how could we enjoy the weekend - but let's not miss the beauty within our week, and let's fully live our lives and not just pine for the sunny days.
Let's run and sing in the valleys, as well as on the mountain tops.
Enjoy your week, and your weekend!
1 comments
What a wonderful attitude to have Kristy...I appreciate your words of encouragement and certainly can relate..especially going through a bit of a valley myself at the moment...I struggle to get through the day sometimes, but finding the beauty and special moments with loved ones is the key. Truly the only real comfort I find through these times is in our wonderful God and the blessings and hope he brings. I'm amazed how my faith only grows stronger through these trying times, and as I draw nearer to Him. Have only just started reading your blog again after a long break from the blogging world...very glad to see you are still blogging, giving words of encouragement and sharing your journey with an open heart. God bless you :-) Sam
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments... I love hearing from you!!!