I just don't have words right now. The words are all jumbled inside me. The thrills mixed with the challenges have left me speechless. This is probably a very good thing...I even had one week without a physical voice.
The desire to live life even when it isn't fun...and not waiting until the struggles pass to smell the roses, engulfs me everyday...a choice I have to make.
Spring just blooms with joy. Not even the matter of life's winter circumstances will stop the spring from sprouting. Spring invites you to skip, fly a kite and dance, while looking with wonder on all she provides. How can you not enter into this season?
As I thumbed through Pinterest, waiting for Benjamin to finish his writing, I came across this quote.
Push past the ugly because that is when the beauty appears.
That is when you are surprised by what can come out of you!
Marriage.
Children.
Friendships.
Creativity.
Faith.
So often we stop in the midst of the ugly and miss the whole point.
We miss everything that makes life worth living.
I was stopped in my thought process. That is what I want to do...push past the ugly. I want to stop being anxious over the process the potter is using to form me. I want the beauty that comes from the ugly. I don't want to stay staring at the ugly and give up hope. I want that deep seeded hope that comes from things
I can not see.
I can not see.
"But if we hope for what we do not see, we wait for it with patience." Romans 8:25
How ironic. Our character quality this month, in the 1st grade class I am teaching, is Patience. God always has a way of teaching me, the teacher, more than the students. Those 1st graders just thought the lesson was for them.
I will be back...when the pondering of life slows down enough for me to process.
I promise you don't want to see the ugly!
Right there with you on this! This is a post I needed today.
ReplyDeleteWell you are doing what God has for you right now. I read this today,
ReplyDeleteYesterday is a memory,
Tomorrow is a hope,
But today is a gift---that is why it is called present. :)
I loved that so much and every time I start down the ugly path I remember today is a present. :)
I always enjoy your honesty.
Hi Janette!
ReplyDeleteI always notice that your eyes are focused on our beautiful Savior.
He is the best walking partner, so kind, so true.
Oh, Sweetie, there's enough ugly to go around three times over. I really like this post. I'm going to be pondering it often I know. Hang in there and keep looking up! I will, too.
ReplyDeleteJanette
ReplyDeleteKeep pushing on.
Soon today will just be a memory and you'll marvel at how the Lord has helped you through and made you a stronger person.
Oh Janette this is a message for many of us. There is so much ugly sometimes that we have to catch ourselves from camping out there. Keep moving on and looking up! HUGS
ReplyDeleteOh, Jeanette, I could just feel your heart as I read this. You have been through so much and I can only imagine that it is hard not to just see the ugly and the struggles. But, the Lord is at work and you are still such an inspiration as you journey on. I'm praying for you as you "go forth."
ReplyDeleteI'll be right here doing the same..
ReplyDeleteAll the best blessing be yours..I pray!!
Hugs
Pushing past the ugly, to find the beauty. Yes, I will be there too!
ReplyDeleteI'm pushing with you. I spent yesterday afternoon with my friend who will be starting chemo on Friday. Her prognosis for breast cancer is good because they found it early. BUT... there will be months of really ugly to go through to get there. She is determined to do as you say and push past the ugly with her eyes on something (Someone)completely different. Something (Someone) who knows exactly how ugly a beautiful process can be.
ReplyDeleteI know that I tell you this often, but you really are being lifted so regularly at my home. It matters to us.
I love you in the ugly or soaring in the majesty!! Sending prayers and high hopes your way ~ blessings ~ tanna
ReplyDeletei have never seen ugly here, only inspiration.
ReplyDeleteif you ever need anything, i am only a few
short miles north.
You push, Janette, and I'll be on the other side PULLING for you (along with many others)!
ReplyDeleteI like the way this encouragement is stated. It gives me a "visual" of what is required to hold on to hope in hard - and ugly - circumstances.
No, let's don't stay in the ugly. There is too much beauty to enjoy. I think I understand though.. Sometimes it's tough being clay.
ReplyDeleteBlessings, Debbie
I am almost without words today Janette, I want to pick you up, and hold you and tell you to cry until you can cry no more.
ReplyDeletelove, Sue
Patience, as difficult as it seems, is the key. Hang in there, spring has arrived and summer is coming. :)
ReplyDeleteJanette, is through the ugly that we see the beauty. Sharing the ugly and then showing others the beauty we found in the muck, strengthens not only our own faith, but others. St. Paul listed his suffering in order to show how God prevailed through it all. You don't need to share that which is too personal or private, but don't feel you need to show us only the sunshine. We will dance with you in the rain while we wait all for the rainbow to appear. And it will.
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect place to start, especially when teaching children. A student in our school who is in Kindergarten told me once that patience means 'waiting without complaining'. I've continued to use that definition to teach three year old children what it means. They seem to get it with that one. :)
ReplyDeleteAnd this post was also good for me. Being refined through the fire is painful and yet beautiful lessons and character development come forth from the ashes. :)
Love,
Debbie
Was praying for you and stopped by to see how you're doing. Keep pushing past the ugly to find that beauty God has waiting for you!
ReplyDeleteWe always learn more when we teach.
ReplyDeleteI've seen the ugly and liked what you said about pushing through. Yes, God waits and shows us the beauty. We just need to open our eyes.
Thanks for this post.