Easter Monday. A good day for reflection. This has been an up-and-down weekend, as I’ve heard about and witnessed so many stories of struggle and stories of redemption and healing. And I’ve seen so many moments of intense celebration and love and rejoicing this weekend, that I am simply in awe of the God of our universe. Yet, stories of illness, of addiction, of feeling scared of being not enough, of reeling years later from hurtful words spoken by the church based on appearances and ill-made judgements. Of fears of being marked with an X, that forever, we will be judged for our past mistakes.
Let me tell you something. I am so blessed to see friends come to know their worth, and and I am hurting for others who still feel they will never be valued or good enough.
As you go through Easter and the weeks and months to come, no matter what you are struggling with, please remember this:
There is love surrounding loneliness, and light surrounding darkness, and life surrounding death. Sometimes we can’t feel it or see it, but Easter is a reminder of love rising from the falling and the ashes. Like the gorgeous tulips in the photo, we will all have moments of pain and grief and sorrow where we are brought back to being seeds planted far beneath the soil, fighting for the light, fighting to come back up to breathe.
You will get there!
May the colourful signs of Spring today and the rain washing away dirt remind you that you are loved and cherished, and that there is more to life than the day to day struggles you might be feeling. ??
(Annie Spratt is one of my favourite photographers. I thank her for this image, and hope for many of my own opportunities this May to photograph beautiful and colourful tulips.)
Holidays are like that for me always. I have such love for each holiday , and what it represents…yet , as it draws closer I want to shut myself off from everyone. Family is the most important to me. Sadly , some within that family have the power to hurt you beyond what anyone else can do. It makes it a love/hate relationship with special occasions and holidays. Each time I get through one , I celebrate that which God has given me. The courage and stamina to follow through . Within those dark moments that I have , there is always joy . In reflection only is when I see it .
Thank you for following along and for sharing your thoughts here Irene. I am touched by your words. You are right, when the people we care about most hurt us, it can make these gatherings so very hard. And joy comes in the darkness, often later when we can look back and see what God was doing, or in looking for the moments of light. Blessings to you today.