With two older parents facing grim medical problems simultaneously, I catch myself having a stray thought: what if I lose them both at the same time? Could I weather that storm?
Yes. The answer is yes. I would put one foot in front of the other and move forward. But then I think about another question:
How long will it take me to be happy again? How long will it take to find joy again? Because without joy, life is terrible. No—it really is. There is too much suffering not to live your life surrounded by joy and hope and beauty every day. And I do: I find joy in a great meal, great laughs, great family and friends, great work, great challenges, great accomplishments. I find hope in children, young people, innocence, and good news. And I am moved by the beauty of nature, whether the humble beauty around my tiny house, or the grandeur of mountains, beaches, deserts, the Mississippi, or a brilliant purple and gold sunset after a day of hard rain.
But where can you turn when you lose everything?
“I will come to the altar of God, to God, MY GREATEST JOY…. Why am I depressed? Why this turmoil within me? I will put my hope in God, for I will still praise Him, my Savior and my God” Psalm 43:4-5.
I have not been there. At 55, I am blessed to have both my parents, to have never lost a child, sibling, or best friend. I know I am blessed. But I have had a lot of practice with a lifetime of smaller disappointments, tragedies, and griefs. I know Jesus is all that we need. And when those moments come and we lean into Him, He will show us that He truly is all we need. He truly is our JOY, HOPE, BEAUTY, and PEACE.
Encourage yourself to find your hope in God. He is your “GREATEST JOY.” He truly is.
ΑΩ