We have collectively endured a hard and unusual year. A year of family estrangement, a year of fear, a year of chaos and confusion, a year of virtual work and relationships. A tough year all around. Some have carried a heavier burden with loss of family, work and stability.
Regardless of where the swirling winds of the world find you, remember it is ok to grieve. It is ok to be sad. It is ok to be scared. It is even ok to feel bitter.
As I sat for long days beside my husband, who was unable to sit up or even stay awake for more than a few seconds at a time. There was one verse that came to my mind over and over again.
Ruth 1:20 – “Don’t call me Naomi,” she told them. “Call me Mara, because the Almighty has made my life very bitter.”
It gave me such comfort. This might sound strange. At that moment I felt the weight of my burdens. They were piled high and heavy and I was being crushed under the pressure. I felt bitter. Simply bitter. This verse gave me such comfort, Naomi’s example was a light on my own situation. I could see myself in her. This verse was there for me. God saw me!
But this isn’t the only example. There is the wonderful verses from Ecclesiastes 3, A Time for Everything. “a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance.” Go now and read the whole thing. It is an amazing reminder of the complexity of our lives. The fullness of our human experience.
At this time of collective struggle remember God knows. He knows our hearts, he knows our suffering, he knows our feelings. God knows. He knows us. If you are feeling overwhelmed – God knows. If you are angry – God knows. If you are sad – God knows. If you are lonely – God knows. He knows all the seasons of our lives.
He knows!
Roberta Writes 