.
As much as we might wish it, life isn’t full of blue skies. There are clouds and shadows, too — a lot of mountaintop and valley experiences. We know that.
Blog posts from fellow bloggers illustrate that many have faced staggering obstacles and struggled through difficult times.
The internet has made it easier to share our troubles and our faith, as well as our support for others. It helps to know we aren’t alone, but most often we’d prefer resolution to empathy. We’d rather have health than sickness, life than death, tolerance than bullying, peace than war – and, in the world of writers, publication rather than rejection. But those positives are elusive.
We all look for answers, but the reality I’ve found is that the only way out of the valley, out of the shadows, or past rejection, is to keep moving. Sustained by faith, we keep putting one foot in front of the other.
Occasionally there are magic and miracles, but often as not we simply have to persevere on the journey. A hand along the way makes the going a bit easier. It gives us the opportunity to look up from the rocky path and see the sunshine in the distance. A glimpse of hope. But we still have to keep moving to reach it.
Have you reached out to accept, or offer, a hand of encouragement lately? What difference do you think it made?
~
Sending prayers and wishing sunshine to those in the shadows.
~
Thou art the Sun of other days. They shine by giving back the rays.
(John Keble, “The Christian Year: Easter Days”)
.
God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.
(Psalm 46:1)
.
He who dwells in the shelter of the Most High
will rest in the shadow of the Almighty.
I will say of the LORD, “He is my refuge and my fortress,
my God, in whom I trust.”
(Psalm 91:1-2)
~ ~ ~
MUSINGS 
Thank you for your words.
Many people seem to come to me for encouragement, and it’s something I give quite readily. We all need to be encouraged from time to time. After all we are only human. Life has a way of getting us down even the most optimistic. Encouraging someone else does not cost a thing, yet for the person receiving it it can mean the world.
On the other side of things, I have people I can turn to when I need a word of encouragement and that is always a great feeling, to know you have family and friends in your corner.
Amen to all of this, Carol. One foot in front of the other is the name of the game – and blessedly, we have One who takes those steps with us. Thanks for this.
One foot in front of the other — yes! we must keep moving forward, but thank God for occasional bits of “magic and miracles”, and especially for glimpses of hope that strengthen and sustain us on the journey.
Yes Carol, the hand that reaches out … or turns to greet you along the path … is the hand that becomes one of those moments of magic. In a dark time, someone took the time to reach out and offer a ray of sun. As I continue along the path, there will come a time when I find another weiry traveler, and I can return that kindness.
Thanks to each of you for stopping in to read and leave your comments. I love hearing from you! Like a tiny spark of light, we can pass kindness on… pay it forward, and try to be a blessing to others, as they have been to us.
I’ve always tried to encourage others, but lately I’ve also had to turn to family and friends for encouragement. I feel blessed to have several people who I can count on to remind me of God’s love when it becomes difficult to see it for myself.
It is amazing how your posts always seem to be for my eyes specifically. I love that. As you know I’m currently in New Brunswick helping my son with his new son while his wife returns to work. I’m feeling particularly useful. It’s been a long time coming. As a mother I know my sons love me, but I don’t always feel as if they need me. I think all of us are benefiting.
Thank you, Carol.
Hi Carol –
Beautiful post and very meaningful to me. I went through a rough patch the last month, which I’ll be blogging about.
Thank you.
Blessings,
Susan
Beautiful, Carol. You know my journey, and you’re one of those encouraging hands. I’ve also learning that it’s okay to take one’s time in the shadows. That’s where we sometimes grow the best.