Stuck in the Snow

 

Have you ever been stuck in snow or mud?  I have been a few times. My daddy taught his girls to get out of the snow by just gently rocking the car forward and backward just ever so much until you made a spot big enough to get enough traction to get out. Then just keep moving steadily, slowly forward. The worst possible thing we can do when stuck in the mud or snow is to give it the gas like we are peeling out for a race!  If we try that technique our tires are going to spin and we are going to dig hole that we are REALLY going to have a hard time getting out of. 

What is the problem with my daddy's technique?  Well, it requires patience. That is something most of us don't have a lot of.  In today's world, we have been conditioned to thinking everything should happen instantly.  We've got instant oatmeal, we've got instant pudding, we've got prepackaged salad mixes, we've got microwave popcorn and I admit that sometimes that 1:30 minutes in the microwave is just too long!  With smartphones we don't even have to dial a telephone number.  We push a button and tell Siri to do it.  We don't even have to look it up!  Amazing.  I have to say that Siri doesn't understand the Southeast Missouri twang too well.... I've got to watch her like a hawk!

There are some things where instant is good.  But there are some things that are just better given more time.  A homemade soup that is allowed to simmer on the stove for several hours, cookies made from scratch warm out of the oven, a fine wine, and a good cheese.  And a real face to face visit with a friend vs. texting back and forth.

Grief is one of those things that you can't just "peel out" of.  It takes that patient, gentle rocking back and forth to get the best results.  Oh, we can try the "peel out" method.  But usually that ends up being more harmful to us to in the long run. It may be jumping into another relationship that we are not ready for at all. It may involve becoming engrossed in our work, drinking, drugs, all done in an effort to avoid the pain that comes with a loss.  We may feel like these things are a quick fix to our pain.  They aren't - they just prolong the inevitable - at some point we are going to have to deal with the grief of our loss and possibly even more loss as a result of taking the speeding approach because we have dug a deeper hole for ourselves.

However, when we can be patient and let the feelings of grief come and go, and deal with them as they come and go, and allow ourselves to feel all the different emotions we will be better off in the long run.  We have to be willing to have days when we rock forward and days when we rock back, simply because that is the way grief works.  We can't fight it!  Blessed are those who are grieving who have friends who understand the process.  And honestly, if we have people around us who are pushing too hard for us "get over it and move on," it may be necessary to step away from those people for a time. They simply don't get it.  

But more blessed is the one who has a personal relationship with Jesus.  He understands loss and sorrow better than anyone ever will.  And He helps carry the burden and pain.  He gives strength when we think we have none left.  He takes us by the hand and walks with us.  And if we allow Him, he will hold us and rock us back and forth in His strong, loving arms.  He knows first hand what it is like to walk a long and very painful road..  He walked that road for you and me.  

I hope you will let Him hold you close today and rock you back and forth.  You will make more progress on your journey of grief.  You will be able to move forward with confidence knowing that He is walking with You.  

It's raining here this morning, and maybe it is raining in your heart.  But you hang in there!  You will see, there is

Sunshine After the Storm

Blessings Friend!

Betsy

Do you really want to be here?