weary traveler

It was the sound of her rings.

They clattered on the metal rail of her hospice bed whenever she’d grab hold to roll over, before sighing loudly and crying out in pain.

I hear that same sigh exiting me sometimes, often followed by “Lord, have mercy on my soul” or a similar sentiment.

Life is hard.

It’s not for the faint of heart.

Some weeks it’s only a little hard, but others …

Others might include news that a beloved brother was diagnosed with stage four pancreatic cancer. Or that a dear friend, still in the prime of life, lost her battle with breast cancer. Or that a strong and faithful couple delivering their full-term baby—by all accounts perfect and healthy—are now planning a funeral because that precious little one was born still, the cord tight.

Nothing can prepare our empathetic hearts for these scenarios.

We hurt for others. We hurt for ourselves.

It was my mom whose rings I still hear and whose anguish I can still feel.

But the closer her soul came to being in the presence of the Lord, the more and more peace she received. And I was right there when she took her last breath, witnessing the beautiful and seamless transition from this world to Heaven.

God gave her complete and utter comfort in what could've been a turbulent moment.

It was holy and a call and reminder to rest (rest!) in Him through all the ups and downs, highs and lows, this life presents.

This road will not go on forever.

We must carry on.

God has great things for us here and indescribable wonderment, in His perfect timing, waiting for us on the other side.

What is making you weary, friend? How is God encouraging you to put one foot in front of the other?

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