My family is currently going through a bad situation. Since we're kind of private people, and this is going on the world wide web, I won't go into detail, but for those of you who know me well, you know what I'm talking about.
In the midst of terrible situations, it's so hard to see the good. Like SO hard. But that's what's keeping me motivated to carry on. I have a necklace that says "be positive" on it and I have to remind myself of it daily. No matter what is happening here on earth, I know that my God has it handled. He sees our situation, He knows what's happening, He's got it under control, and it's a part of His plan. That last one is probably the hardest truth to wrap my head around most days. HOW could this terrible thing be a part of His plan? Isn't God good? Doesn't He want everyone to be happy and live a good life? (These questions require a much longer answer than I'm giving today, so for now, they'll have to remain rhetorical.)
"Those who mourn are blessed for they will be comforted" --Matthew 5:4. Huh. That's one way to look at this situation. Because I'm sad, people will comfort me. Now, this can't be translated to "If you want some attention, just be sad. Then people will come and give you love and attention and make you feel better." No no no. Definitely not what God intended in this part of the Beatitudes. I have definitely felt the effects of this verse during the past year. So many people have been so supportive of us: offering meals, love, ears to vent in and shoulders to cry on. So much mourning, yet so much comfort. We are blessed to know such wonderful people.
All of the blessings of the comfort we've been given reminds us of Psalms 23. A pastor came to visit and brought this chapter up in conversation. For those of you who don't know it, here's what it says.
The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I lack. He lets me lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside quiet waters. He renews my life; He leads me along the right paths for His name's sake. Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me;
Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Only goodness and faithful love will pursue me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord as long as I live.
The parts of this verse that stick out to me in these trying times are "The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I lack," "Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger, for You are with me;" and "my cup overflows."
The Lord is my shepherd, there is nothing I lack. Like I said earlier, He sees our situation, He knows what's happening, He's got it under control, and it's a part of His plan. He's leading us down the right path, even if we can't see it. God provides for all our needs because He knows exactly what those needs are! Sometimes God provides for needs that we didn't even know we had.
Even when I go through the darkest valley, I fear no danger for you are with me. This valley we're trekking through is probably the darkest that our family is ever ventured down. Because of that, we all need God more than ever. There are so many things on this path that are scary, so many things to fear. This verse really hits home, telling us not to fear because God is on our side and by our side every scary step we take.
My cup overflows. This proverbial cup isn't filled with water. It isn't filled with (insert favorite soft drink here). It isn't filled with wine, or any other alcohol. It's filled with feelings. Feelings of support, encouragement, and love have filled this cup and are pouring out, filling each and every member of my family. This picture of the overflowing cup, doesn't even begin to cover the amount of support, encouragement, and love that we've had thrust upon us over the past year. One family member pointed out to me that even in this insanely hard time, this overflowing love and connection our family has with each other is overwhelming, in the best way. Being able to spend this precious time with family members, laughing, smiling, remembering and just physically being together is the biggest blessing thus far. Yes, this situation sucks, but the positive side effects it has had are showing how infinitely blessed we are. Our family can be loud, crazy, overbearing, and overwhelming, but man can we pour out the love. This overflowing cup has been filled by family for family, by friends for family and a multitude of other combinations. The point being, when you can fill it, you fill it, when you need to drink some, it's there for you.
If you are going through a hard time, just know, you have a support system somewhere out there. You might not know them right now, or you might spend every day with them. But I promise, they're there.
If you've made it past a hard time, use your experience to comfort others. Be that support system. Show them you can relate. That makes comforting that much more beneficial and special. God can use you, even after you've made it out of that dark valley.
To my family: in the wise words of the East High Wildcats, we're all in this together. As it says in Romans 12:4-5, “Now as we have many parts in one body, and all the parts do not have the same function, in the same way we who are many are one body in Christ and individually members of one another.” Not only are we in this together, but we need each other. We complete each other. We each have a different and necessary job to do. That's how we can get through. Sharing responsibilities and working together, supporting each other, and just being there. I know this is tough, but know that our support system is one of the best. I love you all.
Always remember, there will always be someone who's willing to fill your cup until it overflows.
