Life is beautiful

I had to post...had to share...I sit here with tears streaming down my face as I reflect on all the good gifts we are given...

God does not promise us an easy road. Jesus' certainly wasn't...and it led to a cross. This week has been one full of reflection...on the cost. What is hard about following Jesus.

I had one day this week that was a NO GOOD VERY BAD DAY. Seriously, everything that could go wrong, did. I struggled to praise God as my circumstances seemed bent against me at every turn. I realized this is not unique to me or to being a follower of Christ. This is the world we live in, and no one is immune to bad days. That's life.

I also wrestled this week with the loss of a friendship. It ended abruptly a few months ago, but this week in particular has been hard. My heart wanted to reach out, my desire was for connection and restoration of a relationship I treasured. But obedience to Christ meant I could not. I realized as I prayed, this was part of the cost. Jesus never promised I'd want to do everything He asked me to do. In fact, sometimes I'd want to do exactly the opposite. But if I trust Him, I trust my loss is for His glory, for a work He is still completing. His process, in my friend..and in me. That's life...with Jesus.

Yes, life is hard. Following Jesus can be hard. But then I remembered. Because I had forgotten. He is sooo good. And He loves to give good gifts. I know because they've been given to me, over and over and over and over.

And they've been given to those I care about. Tonight I sobbed as I read two blogs...

One: Dan and Julia. My nephew and his wife. Remember when I told you about them here? Well...go read here and see if you don't get choked up, too.

Two: Gwen. I've never laid eyes on her, but she's one of the first people I met in blog land. She's in Africa, holding her two babies for the first time. She's been waiting for them longer than I've known her. Seeing them in her arms...her whispering in their ears...go watch here...sobs...

And so I remembered. Just in time for resurrection Sunday. Life is hard. But life is beautiful.