Adele – Hometown Glory (Re-Release) (Photo credit: Wikipedia)
I sit at my desk this morning listening to “Hometown Glory” by Adele. I am reflecting on the last busy week, struggling with stress, unexpected twists and turns, and then lack of sleep resulting in a head cold – all of these I could have done without. And yet, despite all of these events – I am grateful for the continual blessings I experience each day.
I believe that life is a series of highs and lows and the secret to happiness exist in learning the balance minute by minute – day in and day out. Existing in the unexciting, preparing for the unexpected, finding stability and holding on in the temporary euphoric – realizing that real life happens in the ordinary events – the ones that are not very exciting – and finding contentment and laughter in something every day.
Balance is such a key to a rich and full life. Learning to ride out the storms of life which are always temporary times. Realizing that life cannot just exist in the high points - but that the real sustenance and strength of character comes from the dark days.
I am a much happier person for all my experiences, good and bad. They have made me who I am today - the dark, bad, ugly and also the joy and lessons learned through pain. Happy has such a close and intimate relationship with pain and struggle – one cannot truly exist without the other as a measuring stick. And deepest joy from God alone comes from an understanding and experience with both.
Whatever you are struggling with today – just know that it is temporary. God understands and knows your struggles. Won’t you allow that struggle to pull out of you some joy and understanding to pass on to others? As you allow pain and struggle, lack of understanding and dark circumstances to do their work in you – you will have a story of God’s great joy in the midst of where you are living right now. They are forming an even better you. One with a heart of empathy and understanding for others and a word of hope.
As we all push forward today to find balance in our daily circumstances – I am praying for you.
God Bless
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Cindy, this is a wonderful post! My wife and I read today in our devotional that we must find God in the ordinary, mundane moments as much as we try to find Him in the grand times of great excitement. And in those times of distress, God is using it as a means of changing us so that the sweetness of Christ will be brought through our lives. Oswald Chambers had said: The sweetness that resides on the inside of a grape can only be released once the grape is crushed. I think this is true for all of us–there is a joy that can only be experienced, and subsequently shared, as we go through circumstances (highs and lows) with our eyes fixed on Christ.
That is such great confirmation to me today, Michael! Thanks so much – many times I have felt like that crushed grape – but raisins (which my husband is hopelessly addicted too) come from that dried crushed grape and there is a purpose for even them after the fact. So great to think about for our lives when we are going through something – that there is always something after – maybe even better!