Lost and Finding Joy

I’m sorry if you’ve just lost something – like a job, or worse. Maybe you’ve recently lost someone. We lose people for various reasons. It could be through irreconcilable differences, distance, or even death. The pain of losing someone or something can feel excruciating.

Loss is something we all must face in this lifetime — possibly to remind us not to get too attached to anything or anyone here. The idea is to love and experience things with others while we are here; while remembering it’s all temporary. We forget that sometimes. If we really understood this on a daily basis, we would probably be much kinder to each other. We probably wouldn’t get so offended. The good news is we can love and lose, and still be okay. The scriptures remind us of how we can do this.

Matthew 7:24-27King James Version

²⁴ Therefore whosoever heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them, I will liken him unto a wise man, which built his house upon a rock:

²⁵ And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell not: for it was founded upon a rock.

²⁶ And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand:

²⁷ And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it.

It’s not if the storms will come. They will come. They come to remind us this life and everything in it is temporary. They come to strengthen us. Our faith may be challenged and wavering at times. It’s okay. The faith of a mustard seed is all it takes.

Over time various feelings will come and go like waves. One day you might feel like you are drowning in sorrow; the next, you might feel warm and safe with the sun shining down on your face. Crazy, the difference a day can make.

We are not alone. We have the Rock, our Savior, by our side. All we have to do is connect with Him through prayer. It could be a simple prayer we carry in our heart. He is always here, we just need to remember that and connect with Him.

Footprints In The Sand

One night I dreamed I was walking
along the beach with the Lord.
Many scenes from my life flashed across the sky.
In each scene I noticed footprints in the sand.
Sometimes there were two sets of footprints,
other times there were one set of footprints.

This bothered me because I noticed that
during the low periods of my life, when I was
suffering from anguish, sorrow or defeat,
I could see only one set of footprints.

So I said to the Lord,”You promised me
Lord, that if I followed you,
you would walk with me always.
But I have noticed that during the most trying periods
of my life there have only been
one set of footprints in the sand.
Why, when I needed you most,
you have not been there for me?”

The Lord replied,
“The times when you have
seen only one set of footprints,
is when I carried you.”

– Mary Stevenson

~Many blessings to you and yours