October 3, 2016
I’m not sure what it is about Rachel Platten, but she certainly has a knack for releasing songs that seem to exactly correspond with circumstances going on in my life.
On the way to school today, “Stand By You” came on the radio. Reilly started singing along softly; then with impassioned eyes told me just how much this song meant to her. With freshly-tuned ears I listened again to the lyrics more closely, and tears came to my eyes.
Our family has gone through some challenging times over the last couple of years that have stretched and strengthened us in myriad ways. We’ve persevered and soldiered on when the road has seemed unyielding and never ending. Pulling together despite sometimes being physically apart, we’ve come out the other side stronger as a family.
The last couple of months have been amazing. Joyful. Not without some difficulty, mind you– because as all parents know, life with young children is never easy. But the peaceful rhythm of life finding a happy alignment was incredibly healing to our weary souls.
And then this last week presented us with a blow we weren’t expecting. Accusations were made and words were said about our family that left us stinging and reeling a little with disbelief. Feelings were hurt. Crushed, really. But if there’s one thing I know, it’s that together we can make it through. That even when hell rears its ugly head, that we can look beyond to a more glorious destination. Because the Rock upon which we are built will not crack, shake, or falter. He speaks to each of us, calling, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.” His promises are sure.
When hard times come upon us and our wounded hearts feel like they might shatter, we don’t have to choose to remain offended and broken. Pull together. Fix your eyes on the Master Healer, and remember who and whose you are. There is no injury so great that He cannot mend. And He will stand by you and be your steady satellite, always.
So often in life a deserved blessing is quickly followed by a needed stretching. Spiritual exhilaration may be quickly followed by a vexation or temptation. Were it otherwise, extended spiritual reveries or immunities from adversity might induce in us a regrettable forgetfulness of others in deep need. The sharp, side-by-side contrast of the sweet and the bitter is essential until the very end of this brief, mortal experience. Meanwhile, even routine, daily life provides sufficient sandpaper to smooth our crustiness and polish our rough edges, if we are meek.
