Again…
Today, this word makes me weary.
After a couple of good years, I find myself in a season of depression, again. I have been revisited by the heaviness, fatigue, and the inability to get things done. I didn’t want to return to this place. And even though I haven’t yet fallen off the precipice, every day I seem to face it again.
In April, I fell on ice as I was running. There was some blood but mostly pain. And this pain has continued for over three long months. I have been to countless of hours of physical therapy and taken countless tablets of Aleve. But the pain still wakes me up at night. Monday, I go back for physical therapy again.
In spite of all of this, life continues to go on. I still have a family to love. There are still sermons and prayers to write. The yard still needs mowed. I can’t lie around all day. Again.
For some of you who read this, you have your own weariness when you hear “again.” And for everyone, you know someone for whom this is true. So, let us remember compassion.
Because of our God’s deep compassion,
the dawn from heaven will break upon us,
to give light to those who are sitting in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide us on the path of peace. – Luke 1:78-79 (CEB)
I go this tattoo a couple of years ago, inspired by this verse in Luke. In reflecting on God’s compassion, I was drawn to its importance in our life. God’s compassion on us should overflow into our compassion for others, including compassion for ourselves.
We live in a world of accomplishment, measurable success, and unattainable expectations. There should be no surprise that we will fail to live up to all of this, for the world wants what is impossible.
God does, too, I guess. But the difference is that God is with us in our struggle. God understands that we will fail sometimes. God understands that we may spend long seasons sitting in darkness or covered by the shadow of death. But in the midst of it, God has deep compassion for us. We may not realize it, but God sits with us in the dark and in the shadows. God sits with us until the strength comes to tread upon the path of peace once again.
Wherever you are on the journey of the path of peace, may you know God’s deep compassion for you. May you have compassion on yourself as you struggle to stand. May you linger with those crawling to find it, rather than passing them by. For despite where you are right now, the dawn of heaven will break upon you again.
God understands that we may spend long seasons sitting in darkness. God has deep compassion for us and sits with us in the dark until the strength comes to tread upon the path of peace once again. #compassion Click To Tweet——————————-
Every Friday, I do a five-minute free-write on the word of the day. You can read more about it here.
Because of our God’s deep compassion,
the dawn from heaven will break upon us,
to give light to those who are sitting in darkness
and in the shadow of death,
to guide us on the path of peace. – Luke 1:78-79 (CEB)
I love this quote – it is a reminder of our need for compassion and it is full of hope. Praying God shines the light of hope along your difficult path.
Amen
Thankyou, Michelle, for bravely offering your struggles with mental health here, thereby helping to normalize what so many experience.
And orthopedic problems suck. I feel you on that one for sure
Love to you, Jeanne
Thanks Jeanne
The comment-moster ate my first try. Again.
It comes around, and once again,
and my heart is grown so weary;
the shuffling step, the sad refrain,
and it’s Groundhog Day at Calvary.
Where one there was speed and light,
now it’s road-dust, and I’ve had my fill
of walking through and endless night
and the path is all uphill.
But lo, here footsteps, lined in dirt;
someone has been this way before,
has taken the shame, and the hurt
that I might not need them anymore.
The Feet that printed this fell earth
define our pain, define our worth.
amen
Visiting from FMF. Sorry the depression bug has hit you again. Yes, God is with us through out struggles. I don’t know why but He is always there … even when we try to push Him away. Peace, sister.
thank you
Thanks for sharing! Reaching out to give you a hug! We all carry something. We all need each other and the reminder to be compassionate. I pray you can enter a more uplifting season soon and one of rest and joy! Blessings and peace to you. Stopping by from FMF!
Thank you