When Burdens Become Blessings

 

Strange weather here in the Midwest. Not quite spring, not quite winter. Kinda in-between. We’ll call it sprinter. I’m not complaining. Cold, warm. It’s all good as long as it’s sunny.

What about those unexpected life seasons that aren’t so warm and welcoming? When we find ourselves in-between burdens and blessings?

Valentine week was busy at Hollingworth Candies. Waiting at the end of the cooling machine to catch English Toffees, reminded me of what Forrest Gump’s momma always said, “Life is like a box of chocolates. Ya never know what you’re gonna get.”

Yes, life surprises us, doesn’t it? Last year started out rough. My sister was hospitalized when her white cell count crashed after her first round of chemo. My mom, in her assisted-living apartment, waited and wondered why I wasn’t there. Though my visit was written on her calendar, she was confused and worried. Then our grandson, Alexander, arrived with only three weeks to prepare our minds and our almost-empty nest. I’m losing my breath just remembering that season.

Perhaps you can relate. Maybe this year or this day started out rough for you.

We live with burdens and blessings. They create tension, a tug-of-war of opposing forces. It’s a mental spiritual battle. It’s there simply because we are alive. It’s part of the human experience. Will we choose to despair or to live above our struggle? Will we choose death or life?

That’s where faith has to be stronger than our feelings. Our emotions are fickle. They change at the whim of a thought, a comment, a hormone. In the midst of emotional strain, we often want to quit. Especially if we listen to the wrong voice.

In Job 2:9-10b, Job’s wife asks him, “Still holding on to your precious integrity, are you? Curse God and be done with it!” Wow. Now that could mess up a guy’s day. But, not Job’s. He chose life. “You’re talking like an empty-headed fool. We take the good days from God—why not also the bad days?”

Job took the jab and gave it right back. After all his losses, his future was iffy. He trusted God and that was enough.  Author and speaker, Nicki  Koziarz says, “It’s okay not to be okay … for a while.”  Then we get up.

At the beginning~and for much of 2016~I was a mess. Still have my moments. But, I fight even when I don’t feel like it because I won’t be robbed of who God created me to be, whole and free. My friend, we’re made for more than survival. With faith, we not only endure tough times, we grow and thrive all the way through them.

My sister inspires me. Watching her fight death and sickness in her year of aggressive chemo and radiation, gives me courage. She’s now healing and living to the fullest.

Though my mom’s limitations are hard to accept, I’m learning to make her smile even if she doesn’t always remember. She teaches me to slow down and appreciate my moments, my health, my brain cells. It breaks my heart to walk out of her room and drive away from the nursing home. God reminds me we’re doing what’s best for her and that He’ll never leave her.

Then there’s my smiley, mischievous one-year-old, Alexander. He teaches me to adjust to life’s little surprises. Though difficult and not in our plan, unexpected seasons can be full of joy, and giggles, and lots of cheerios.

I agree with Forrest’s momma. “Life is like a box of chocolates.” We don’t know what we’re gonna get. With God, we choose faith and move forward. He gives peace and patience, wisdom and rational thought. When we accept burdens along with the blessings, we win abundant life.

It’s our choice. Hard times can eat us up or grow us up.

Grace and giggles for your journey, my friend ❤✌🙏