Backwards

Our local hospital sits up on a hill. It’s a lovely location with views of the Sea of Japan on one side and the mountains on the other. There is only one big drawback, which I was reminded of this morning as I attempted to drop Joshy off at day service… all the access roads are steep! This morning, even knowing it was icy, I decided to go to the entrance near the day service wing instead of the bigger entrance at the other end of the building. As I headed up the hill & rounded the curve I noted another car in the drop off area, I slowed down… I then started sliding back down the hill. No matter what I tried, I just couldn’t get enough traction to continue up to the parking area.  In the end, I backed back down around the curve and back to the road.

How many times in life, as we strive to go forward, do we slow down and then start sliding back. How many time do we find ourselves unable to move forward no matter what we try. Sometimes, like this morning, we need to stop and maybe even retreat. We need to regroup before we continue forward. Maybe we need to take an alternate route. Maybe be just need to get on solid ground and try again. This morning it meant getting to the bottom of the hill, letting the car that had been in the drop off area pass and then taking the hill carefully, but without slowing down. 

Never Easy

 This has been a really rough week. A week filled with wanting to give up. A week filled with questioning why we ever did the things we did, even the things we know we were directly called by God to do. 

It has been an exhausting week. A week filled with lack of sleep because my brain won't relax and let go. A week when I finally do get to sleep the alarm or the son goes off saying it is time to start all over again.

It has been an emotional roller coaster ride this week. So many twists and turns that my mind is spinning: sadness, frustration, loss, anger, fear... just to name a few.

Remember childhood when we thought that life would be easier when... we could drive or after we went to collage where we'd be free from our parents rules.

Remember early adulthood when we thought that life would be easier once we had graduated university or once we were married. 

Remember later adulthood when we thought that life would be easier once the kids were older. 

I've come to the conclusion that "it will be easier when" is a LIE! Life is full of challenges. And those challenges are not easy. There is always going to be something difficult to get through, but GOD is there to walk the road with you. To hold your hand and say we can handle this together. 

Psalm 84:5-7

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
    whose hearts are set on pilgrimage.
 As they pass through the Valley of Baka,
    they make it a place of springs;
    the autumn rains also cover it with pools.
 They go from strength to strength,
    till each appears before God in Zion.

John 16:33

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.”