Hanging on through the hurt

I am thankful for the healing I have received.  While I get discouraged from time to time, I don’t find myself in the dark places where my mind once dwelled.  It’s nice that those memories have faded, but I can still recall the feelings, even though they don’t have the same intensity.

I came across a quote recently, and I find encouragement in it.  It is by Dr. Paul Brand, who is renowned for his work with leprosy patients. Brand responded to the question, “Where is God when it hurts?” with this: “He is in you, the one hurting, not in it, the thing that hurts.”  Yes, God is with us!

A family in our church recently suffered a loss through suicide.  I cannot imagine the pain truly involved.  One thing that kept me from following through on my suicidal thoughts was thinking through the pain that my parents and others would have felt.  I couldn’t bear that outcome.  I hung on a little longer and made it through one more day, and then another.

I have a book title The Art of Helping by Lauren Littauer Briggs.  The subtitle is “What to Say and Do When Someone is Hurting.”  The books lists dozens of life situations where people can hurt, each with its own chapter.  I looked up the chapter on Loss By Suicide, and found a wonderful contribution.

One of the best responses to a suicide that I have ever heard came through a sermon delivered by the pastor of a young man who shot himself.  With great eloquence, his pastor was able to convey tremendous hope through these words: “Our friend died on his own battlefield.  He was killed in action, fighting a civil war.  He fought against adversaries that were as real to him as his casket is real to us.  They were powerful adversaries.  They took a toll on his energies and endurance.  They exhausted the last vestiges of his courage, and only God knows how this child of His suffered in the silent skirmishes that took place in his soul.”  (Originally published in “Helping Survivors Survive” by Victor M. Parachin, Bereavement Magazine, January, 1991.)

Those words ring so true to the inner battles I once faced.  I pray for this family as they come to mind.

One closing thought.  “Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” - Plato

I can do something

I am only one – but I am one.
I can’t do everything, but I can do something.
That I can do I ought to do.
And what I ought to do
by the grace of God
I shall do.      -  Edward Hale

Yes, I can do something.  At this moment, I’m not sure what that is.  My thoughts are scattered and scrambled.  Too many tasks and stresses are all around me (literally, as I look around my desk).

Every week I can do something.  Every day I can do something.  Every hour I can do something.  Something good.  Like giving my husband a hug.  It’s a great place to start!

Sticking together

“Snowflakes are one of nature’s most fragile things, but just look what they can do when they stick together.”
–Vesta M. Kelly

A friend has this quote in her email signature.  She lives where she sees snowflakes.  I never have lived where it snowed, but I enjoy seeing the beauty of it on the mountains.

This quote reminds me that as individuals, we can’t do it all.  However, when we work together, it is amazing what can be done.  Especially when God is part of it.  Here’s a great example!

Hello world!

Okay, it’s time for me to jump on this blogging bandwagon.

I have been a sponge for most of my life, listening and learning many fascinating and lots of trivial facts and ideas.  I hope to be able to share the good stuff with interested people.

Please be patient as I’m getting this site up and running.

I’ll start with this quote: “Think of all the beauty that’s still left in and around you and be happy!” – Anne Frank