Have you ever received a package that you did not want? It came out of nowhere. You weren't expecting it, but it's here.
This morning, I could hear the birds chirping outside. They were singing and enjoying their day as they normally do. They have no worries, heartbreaks, sadness, etc. Or do they? If so, how is it that they continue to sing through it all? Sometimes, I wish I could be like a bird soaring throughout the day without worry. To sing loudly like I don't have a care in the world. It's what many of us want. But the reality is that life is just not that way. Two weeks ago, my friend had to say goodbye to her husband. My husband and I love these two human beings. We have been doing life together for 12 years. A beautiful "friendstory" that turned into family. That day, when I got the call that our friend William was not doing well, I got in my car and rushed over as fast as I could. Within 15 minutes of being there, he passed away. It was a sad day! Now his wife would be faced with grief that she had not expected. That grief will now be her HARDSHIP. A HARDSHIP is anything or circumstance that causes ongoing or persistent suffering or difficulty.
Right now, at this moment, I wish I could change the direction of this word to "ship-hard." SHIP the HARD stuff out of my life and the life of those whom I love.
I would like to call USPS and tell them to pick up this painful stuff and send this priority package back to where it came from. Leave me, my family, and my friends alone. Goodbye and good riddance. Y’all feel me?
Truth be told, we know it’s not that easy. So what do we do with all of this hardship in our lives?
The first step, I believe, is to identify each hardship one at a time. I have found that this simple practice is the beginning step to embrace and experience it. Sending it back would not serve my friend or me. It's like an emotional delay only to show up again unexpectedly.
Losing a loved one is one of the most difficult times a person can face. It's extremely hard but one can survive and continue to live a healthy and whole life. It doesn't feel like it in the moment but time gives us the seconds, minutes, and hours to heal from the pain. It may not be today but it could be tomorrow. The best medicine we can take is to allow ourselves room for the process of it all.
One of my favorite verses of comfort is in Psalm 34:18, "The Lord is near to the brokenhearted and saves the crushed in spirit." For any of you who may be going through a hardship, my hope is that you too will find comfort in the midst of your pain.