Imperfect but Abiding

“Be devoted to one another in brotherly love; give preference to one another in honor; not lagging behind in diligence, fervent in spirit, serving the Lord; rejoicing in hope, persevering in tribulation, devoted to prayer, contributing to the needs of the saints, practicing hospitality.”

‭‭Romans‬ ‭12‬:‭10‬-‭13‬ ‭(NASB)

Building this blog on honesty has made me realize that it’s only right to continue to be honest. I posted every day for the first few days, and then I dropped off out of nowhere, then wrote a few lines about depression and promptly fell away again. 

Here’s some more honesty: life can be hard. It can feel like an uphill race where everybody else gets a bicycle and you get two kayak anchors. Though I wish I had all the answers or the rope cutters to set others (or myself) free, I can’t make it all go away in an instant. That’s not how life works. 

Job asked for relief, but he didn’t receive it that instant. There were other things at play and other plans in motion. He did eventually get reprieve, but “eventually” seems way closer when it’s in the rear view mirror. Knowing that there is hope for the future does not negate the weight of the now. 

It felt important to write this, not because I need to whine to the Internet, but because I want to be honest with anybody who might be reading. For those of you feeling the heaviness of your present, I pray you can find some relief. 

Sincerely,

Someone who knows she’ll hear the singing again. 

—————

“Hope is the thing with feathers”

By Emily Dickinson

“Hope” is the thing with feathers –

That perches in the soul –

And sings the tune without the words –

And never stops – at all –

And sweetest – in the Gale – is heard –

And sore must be the storm –

That could abash the little Bird

That kept so many warm –

I’ve heard it in the chillest land –

And on the strangest Sea –

Yet – never – in Extremity,

It asked a crumb – of me.