Thankful for connections
Sometimes, connections are what keep you grounded. They are what remind you that when you may feel like you are in the middle of a storm that is hovering over you alone, that is rarely the case. I have had a few of those reminders lately and I am so thankful for them.
I am raising teenagers…and that statement alone will carry so much meaning for those of us traveling through that storm. There is no greater joy and there is no greater frustration. In one moment you are filled with love beyond measure and the next you are scratching your head on how the words or behavior coming from that smaller version of you could possibly be the same child. You witness the world they are tackling and pray constantly that you are doing enough, that you are laying the foundation that they can come back to again and again when life tries to tackle them…because it will happen again and again. I had one of those moments this week. One of my miracles was struggling and I am forever thankful that not only did she have our foundation, but she is building her own foundation of friends that are willing to risk upsetting her to care of her…wow, could we ask for any better friends for our children? Thankful for those connections (you know who you are).
I mentioned all the current challenges with the government shut down and the fact that life goes on. Things have not slowed down, they have just become more complex. Today, I am thankful for a chat that reminded me we are not alone in this storm. More importantly, we have already overcome so many storms. When we can look back on the most eventful moments from COVID, to Hurricane Maria, and Helene and look back at those very difficult moments with affection of times past, it is a not so subtle reminder that one day, we will be saying the same about this. It is through these trials and tribulations that these unshakable foundations are built, where trust is tested and validated, where connections are made. Thankful for those connections (again, you know who you are).
I am also thankful for the one that always makes me laugh in the most difficult of times…even when he is sometimes the source, as any marriage of over 28 years can attest. When you miss a key meeting with the most senior members of your organization because you can’t manage multiple calendars, he is the one that says, ehhhh, it was their meeting-not yours, their loss-you got some you time…and I laughed instead of beating myself up. Thankful for those connections.
None of these connections are man made. I truly believe people come in and out of our lives for a season and when they are most needed. God knows and sees all things and He knows what we need and when we need it. As we are reminded, we “are all children of the light and children of the day…Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing” (1 Thessalonians 5:8-11, NIV). How much better is it to encourage each other instead of swirling in the never-ending storm? This storm will pass, just like those before it.
Today, I pray that you reach out to those connections. I pray that you surround yourself with those that are children of God in the light that help you to not lose sight that these storms are temporary and help you to walk through the storm.
