You can embrace both sorrow and hope.
The fireplace was warm and glowing. My Pecan Praline Latte was deliciously sweet. My heart was sad. Life was, again, going in a direction that hurt my heart.
I sat in my usual comfy chair at Debbie’s Daughters Bakery and began writing. I had no idea where my thoughts would take me. I just knew I had to write.
I’m beginning to think that my fingertips are where my tears fall. When I am asked why I write, I tell people that I can’t not write. I hope that makes sense. It’s how I process my thoughts.
I had worship music playing in my earbuds as I wrote. Anne Wilson’s song “Strong” seems to be my theme song. Why does life try to break me … so many times?
I brought along my favorite devotional book by Lysa TerKeurst, You’re Going to Make It. I read her words, “Sometimes, the miracle He offers us does not change our circumstances or bring us the answers we desperately want, but He promises to remain near to us and continue working in us. And that is a divine miracle I’m so very thankful for.”
Oh, the miracle of the presence of God.
It was then that I wrote the words you read at the beginning of this column. You can embrace both sorrow and hope.
Hope’s answer does not always come packaged like I think it will. My prayers have not always been answered as I “hoped” them to be. So, I have learned to see my “hope” as good things will come from the hard times.
Hard times have changed me. They’ve changed the way I write. Time and time again, I have seen the hand of God bring good things after the hurt, the sorrow, and the pain. It’s called Redemption – the compensation of hurting. One of the other definitions of Redemption is – to make it worthwhile. I love that!
I wiped a tear that had sneaked out of my eye and trickled down my cheek while I read in my Bible app.
“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6-7 NIV
Did you know that one of the definitions of “transcend” is to rise above the negative, beyond ordinary limits? Read that and take the time to process what that means. Beyond ordinary limits. That’s a WOW for me.
I am a scripture nerd. I love reading it and looking up what the words mean. To me, it brings power to the scriptures. Then, the scripture brings strength to me. I hope that makes sense.
The Psalms are my usual “go-to” for strength. David, who wrote many of them, had a very messy life.
Photo provided by Janet Hart Leonard
I wish you could see my kitchen table at times. It’s messy. It’s kind of like my life. When I finish a column or a chapter of my book, Soft Words for Hard Times, the mess makes me smile. It feels good because I know the words that have come from it. Words of Redemption.
As I finished my latte, I sat back and smiled. I will focus on hope, knowing that goodness will come from these hard times. How do I know that? Because I’ve seen the hand of God time after time in my life.
I am reminded of another go-to scripture.
“So do not throw away your confidence; it will be richly rewarded. You need to persevere so that when you have done the will of God, you will receive what He has promised. For in just a very little while…” Hebrews 10:35-37
I never know what “for in just a little while” means, but I know it will be worth it. I’ve seen Redemption so many times.
I put my laptop in my pink backpack and said a quick prayer before I left. I’ll return to that comfy chair at Debbie’s Daughters Bakery for another latte. There will be more sorrow, but more importantly, there will be more hope. Always, more hope. And with hope comes joy.
Stay tuned for the joy.
Janet Hart Leonard can be contacted at janethartleonard@gmail.com or followed on Facebook or Instagram (@janethartleonard). Visit janethartleonard.com.