It has definitely been a while since I truly updated my site. I could come up with a thousand excuses, but I think I’ve been in a bit of a fog since late last year. It has taken many hours of thought and prayer for the fog to roll out, but I think it has lifted for now.
Several months back I typed my thoughts, but never posted. Our family was struck with a tragedy that will forever weigh on the hearts of so many that I love, as well as myself. Here were my thoughts on that terrible day;
Today is election day. Today is also one of the most horrible days of my life. Today I am trying to process the sudden and unnecessary loss of someone who has been in my life since the day I was born. Today, while the rest of America is focused on the future of our country, I am focused on the future of someone so dear to me she is like a mother. There are people screaming that they don't know who they will go on should one man win vs the other, while my loved one is just trying to figure out how she will breathe today, much less go on tomorrow.
I'll never forget that phone call, or this day. My aunt has lost her only child to something that is so preventable. Suicide. I think that word is worse than any word in the dictionary.
What has happened to this world? COVID-19 has destroyed so much for so many people. How many are coping with the loss of a loved one due to a suicide that would have never happened if our world wasn't full of so much hate, anger, and separation right now???
I am so extremely blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing people. The outpouring of love and prayer is overwhelming. I wish my aunt could feel this. I know that from this darkness God will bring light, it's just so hard to understand that at this moment.
This sudden and unnecessary loss really shook me to the core. It was a reminder of how precious life is, how we must learn to show forgiveness, and to love one another more. It pushed me to seek God even more that I already was, and to value every moment with those that I love.
However, with all the dark, negative, disappointment, hate, and just down right bad that has made its way into my life over the past year, I have found that there was nearly as much good.
I have learned to show more grace, patience, and kindness. These are things that I have always strived for, but in today's society they are often lacking. I am still not always the most gracious, patient, or kind, but I have tried and will continue trying.
Also, I have learned to pray more, and not to pray for what I need, but to also pray for what I am thankful for. It is easy to pray in times of need, but when things are going well we need to remember to give thanks.
While the past year, and most recently the past six months, has tested me in more ways than I could share in one post, it has reminded me of what is important in life. It has reminded me to fear less and to have faith more. The last year definitely did not go as planned, and that's okay. God is in control!