One of the hardest realizations is when you see that no matter what you’re going through, no matter how difficult or impossible it seems, life continues to go on.

A few years back, I lost my mother and my father-in-law in the same year. My mom passed away right before Easter and my father-in-law at Christmas. Needless to say, both those holidays were difficult ones. I still remember the empty place at the table. My world had come to an abrupt stop. The grief seemed to come in waves. It felt as if life as I knew it was gone. . .but people still celebrated Easter. There were Easter egg hunts for the grandkids. When Christmas came and we lost another dear one, the stores were filled with Christmas decorations. Advertisements still announced the number of shopping days left before Christmas. And I thought, how can this be?  How can the world go on as if nothing has happened.  

During that time, I was on a tight deadline to finish a book. It was hard concentrating on writing when everything else around me was in chaos.

Yet through it all, I felt God’s presence with me, carrying me through the pain. It’s been over ten years since we lost those precious loved ones. I still miss them both, but I know I will see them again one day. God brought us through the storm like He always does.

I love that about God. No matter what storm we’re going through. Even if others disappoint us, God is at our side through every struggle in life.

 Isaiah 25:4 says, For You have been a defense for the helpless, A defense for the needy in his distress, A refuge from the storm, a shade from the heat; For the breath of the ruthless Is like a rain storm against a wall.

Many blessings!

Mary

www.maryalford.net