The gift of life
I will not pretend to know what it looks like in your home. All I know is that here in ours, we have a lot of noise, lots of energy, a lot of dirt, lots of eating, a lot of questions, a lot of hugging, a ton of time spent outside and ... did I say a whole lot of noise?
I have been talking with my sister recently, who has a teenager and more than one pre-teen in her house. And we also have quite a few very close friends who are single adults that we keep in touch with.
There's no doubt we are all in different seasons and situations, getting different reactions / needs / requests from our kids, employers, neighbors, etc.. Yet, even with the differences, we are all grieving. In our own ways, we are grieving the loss of what is gone. And that's ok! It is so important for us to give time and space for that grief. For some of us, it may come out as anger that leads into a conversation where we finally soften up and tell what we are feeling. For others it might mean going outside to hit baseballs or speed walk to relieve the tension. Others still may need quiet space, alone with their journal. Regardless of how we do it, we need space to grieve what isn't ... SO THAT we can appreciate what is. So what is it ... ?
- It is ... beautiful outside, with leaves appearing on trees, birds and green grass! Spring brings new life, hallelujah!
- It is ... time to play the board / card games together with your kids!
- It is ... an opportunity to invest in your marriage (praying together, reading scripture together, walking together)
- It is ... a season to learn more about your parents (whether young or old, be a student of them), so that you can know how to pray for them!
- It is ... time to look at your calendar (from past months, looking to the future) and decide what, if anything, needs to be taken off when things begin to open again.
- It is ... the chance to begin an exercise routine (resist the temptation to binge watch tv shows!).
- It is ... the perfect time to memorize scripture (ask friends to join you so you can have accountability).
- It is ... time to hold your thoughts captive, making sure they are obedient to Christ! (2 Corinthians 10:5)
So for all that we have lost, there is so much to be found :) May you grieve what has been lost and then choose to pick up and live in the fresh perspective of the gift of life that's been given to you, through Jesus Christ!
-Rebeccah Anderson