Jul 10
26
Hard Things
College chemistry. Labor & delivery. Solo singing. Caring for sick children. Loneliness. Growing older. First day of school. Being home bound.
Are any of these hard for you? I find several experiences difficult to bear. Then, something will happen. A fellow student will organize a study group. Someone will call to check on me. My doorbell will ring & a friend will drop of muffins or a CD to keep me company. Someone will offer support in some way.
How do we live through these moments? And what do we do with the experience we gain after the moments have passed? As with the birth of a child, sometimes we are thrown into a new situation (caring for a newborn) following a difficult experience (labor and delivery). Do we take the time to process each experience to gain the wisdom that is offered? Do we ponder and reflect so we can see the hand of others and the hand of God in our lives? I promise you that if you do take a moment of reflection, you will see the support surrounding you, the light within yourself, and the resources to strengthen you.
I remember calling my husband, exasperated, around 2 p.m. some afternoons when our children were young. I would need a moment to breathe, and the little ones in my care would be yet to nap. I felt like they were NEVER going to go to sleep. I know he could hear the desperation in my voice. He would say these words calmly to me, “They will take a nap.” His words would pacify me; soon, the children were sleeping soundly. 
Sometimes in situations which may be difficult, whether as short-lived as an afternoon of busy children or as lasting as a prolonged illness, may seem to never end. They will. And, if you take a moment to reflect on the love and blessings in your life, your joy will be more lasting than the hard things that are happening to you right now. I promise. You will make it!
