This morning I went to the office to get instructions for papers which needed to be signed.  While there, I looked in on several people.  These people with whom I work were very helpful to me during the time of my husband’s death.  And many times I didn’t know what I was doing, but they were patient and kind while I made my way through a foggy maze.  They didn’t rush me, and understood.  It took about three years to come out of the fog, and I told each of them how much I loved and appreciated them for having been patient with me.  They were always ready to help, and during the death of my mother-in-law, they helped me fax various papers back and forth to the nursing home.

All of us have our days.  Sometimes we are up, sometimes we are down in our emotions.   Sometimes people will tell you to cheer up when your heart simply isn’t ready.  When plans fail, a loved one dies, we have a failure in school or the loss of a job, the smile on our face betrays what is in our hearts, but it’s alright to not feel alright.  Our Lord wept when Lazarus died.  No one told Him to cheer up.  He cried.  He was human.  His heart was heavy just as ours is when loved ones are sick or dying or whatever troubles us in our hearts, we simply are not up to being alright with everything.

“Now a certain man was sick, named Lazarus, of Bethany, the town of Mary and her sister Martha.  It was Mary which anointed the Lord with ointment, and wiped His feet with her hair, whose brother Lazarus was sick.  Therefore his sisters sent unto Him, saying, Lord, behold, he whom Thou lovest is sick.”     John 11:1-3

“Then when Mary was come where Jesus was, and saw Him, she fell down at His feet, saying unto Him, Lord, if Thou hadst been here, my brother had not died.  When Jesus therefore saw her weeping which came with her, He groaned in the spirit, and was troubled, And said, Where have ye laid Him?  They said unto Him, Lord, come and see.  Jesus wept. Then said the Jews, Behold how He loved him!    John 11:32-36

Many are understanding of your loss no matter the circumstance, for most likely they have been where you are.  We don’t feel alright when we have suffered any kind of loss, and  it is during these times we need a smile, a word of encouragement and much understanding.  The loss of a loved one is not healed readily, the loss of a job and finding another cannot be gotten instantly, family problems usually take time as well.  But we can take control by choosing to have a good attitude knowing  God is with His faithful children in all circumstances and He truly does love and care for us and will see us through no matter the problem.  And sometimes it takes tears to help us see more clearly, and develops our patience and understanding of others as well.

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble.”       Psalms 46:1

“Sometimes it’s easy to feel like you’re the only one in the world who’s struggling, who’s frustrated, or unsatisfied at barely getting by.  But that feeling is a lie and if you just hold on:  just find the courage to face it all for another day, someone or something will find the way and make it all okay.  Because we all need a little help sometimes, someone to help us hear the music in the world.  To remind us that it won’t always be this way.  That someone is out there, and that someone will find you.”         ~ Lucas Scott

Eileen Light