April 2018
Psalm 30:5 (NLT)
"Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes in the morning."
What needs to be said? Do we need to remind people? Do people remember? I know the answer for myself. We have celebrated holidays, birthdays, and regular old days. We will continue to celebrate each day God gives us. Are we sad? Yep! We are still sad. Do we still cry? Yep! We still cry. Each day comes and we take it on with our face towards the sky, listening for what we should do next. How? Why?
I read my bible nightly and tend to focus on plans that directly deal with grieving, finding joy, or keeping focused on God. I look forward to it every night. No matter what I am doing, at 9pm, I stop and go to my room to spend time with God. I need it. I try so hard to start and end my day with God. I try to listen. I ask for strength and guidance. I ask for help to get through the day. I started a new plan tonight which sparked my need to write on our blog. The devotional started with Psalm 30:5. It's to the point. It was kind of a slap in the face. Truth.
Here is my thought. Losing Maggie has really sucked the life right out of all of us, but we have all tried to keep our eye on the prize. God. We know she is with God. She is whole! She has no more pain. No more seizures. Maggie can sing and dance and eat and drink whatever she wants. We miss her more than words can ever explain. We continue to live. We continue to spread love and kindness. We keep going.
This is what I don't understand. Why do some people only focus on the weeping? When Maggie was living, she took all our effort. We needed nurses to help us care for her. Our family was and still is huge. Nurses, teachers, bus drivers included. They will always be apart of our family. It's funny how Maggie never spoke a word but said so much. So many people were touched by her smile. Those loving eyes. Her love of dirt, sitting in the grass and swinging on the swing. Such little things made her smile. We love to be asked about Maggie. We love to share stories about her. To us, it helps us grieve.
This is what hurts my heart, People who don't see the gift(s) they have right in front of their faces. Life is hard. None of us were given an instructional manual. So why not be thankful for each day. Find something good every day. Stop focusing on the negative, what you don't have, what might be taken from you. Look at God's word. God's word explains that Joy will truly come. I think about how I can help others find joy. I tell my students to look for the good parts of their day and if it wasn't the best day, then tomorrow will be better. I hope these little ones will find joy each and every day of their lives and they will influence others to do the same.
So, Can people be sad but still find joy? Yes? Do you have to work at it? Yes! I know some people have more hardships or sorrows than others, but my question is, "what do you do with that sorrow"? How can you find joy or give joy to others?
I challenge all of you to look up, say "thank you", and face the day with a joyful heart.
Psalm 126:5 (NIV) "Those who sow with tears will reap with songs of joy."
*Please follow the link below to find out how you can continue helping us spread love and sunshine in Maggie's memory to siblings of those living with severe medical and cognitive delays.
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