There are more than we can imagine...

There are families being bereft of their children and siblings more often than I ever dared to realize.  Once you become a part of this awful "club", your eyes are opened wide and the ignorance we once knew is gone.  An urge comes over me to run to each family that loses a child within my reach... but with what?  There isn't anything I can say or do to make their pain lessen.  There isn't something I can buy or send them to fill this great void.  But what if??  What if I could just be there?  A silent witness to God's burning light of survival.  What if every hug I give could somehow communicate the truth that "I get it..."  and that "you are not alone".  Could perseverance in someway model itself through the way that I live my life after loss?  Might I be so blessed with the opportunity of handing out Hope for the weary?  One can only pray they be used in this way by our Father in Heaven.

There is a purpose in our pain.  I believe with my whole heart that digging for that purpose is imperative to our survival as parents having lost our whole world.  We know that the life we once knew was gathered up and buried in our hearts never to be recovered, but take heart because there is new land.  Let us get on our knees and break ground loved ones.  Let us pray as we search and sift, anticipating treasures of love, encouragement, strength and the gift of memories.  Not every day will be a rainbow day, oh but what is truly attainable once more is gladness of heart.  Though broken, we are held together by God's strong attributes.  His strength, grace and mercy to name just a few.  As tides of the peace that only Jesus can bring meets the shores of our pain, let us hold ever so tightly to the truth that we can, and we will survive.

                                              A Time for Everything

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under heaven:

  a time to be born and a time to die,
  a time to plant and a time to uproot,
  a time to kill and a time to heal,
  a time to tear down,
  and a time to build,
  a time to weep,
  and a time to laugh,
  a time to mourn,
  and a time to dance,
  a time to scatter stones,
  and a time to gather them,
  a time to embrace,
  and a time to refrain,
  a time to search,
  and a time to give up,
  a time to keep,
  and a time to throw away,
  a time to tear,
  and a time to mend,
  a time to be silent,
  and a time to speak,
  a time to love,
  and a time to hate,
  a time for war,
  and a time for peace.

~ Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 <3

Your time and what you fill it with is a choice.  Do what will glorify God and nurture your spirit.  Feel the very feelings that make us human because feeling is healing.  Cry when you need to and show strength when you can because everyone's "brave" is different and valuable.  There is a time for everything, but there is no limit on the time that you need throughout your journey.  Give your self grace and be gentle with yourself <3