The hardest things in life are certainly the ones that are most worth the tears, the heart cries, the clenching aches, the feelings of helplessness. The hardest things in life are the ones that you can’t do… but you must. You must through surrender of self. For if you grasp harder to keep yourself it is the same as tossing yourself to the wind where you will be endlessly strewn about, directionless, battered, empty, feet never again meeting solid ground.
The hardest things in life can’t be done by striving, by grasping, by demanding – but only through yielding, following, bending the knee.
What are the hardest things in my life? The things that require death too myself: Being a wife. Being a mama. Producing vibrant relationships with the people I love the most.
The hardest things in life are the only things that are worth living for.
The savor is sweet…
The fragrance ethereal…
The rewards: eternal.
Having tasted the goodness, how can I give up – no matter the struggle, the questions, the unknown.
Why would I ever toss myself to the wind? Yet that is the result of taking offense, refusing to forgive, preferring myself and my own desires…
Why would I let myself spiral downward, ever sinking into miry darkness? Yet that is what happens when rash words slip unguarded from irritated lips, only to land like blows on the shamed ears of precious children. Why would I DARE to give vent to my own frustrated tempers, flaring at the opportunities of self sacrifice… patience… love...
The hardest things in life are most difficult – no, they are impossible – when a portion of yourself remains autonomous, rather than the whole of you delving into the depths of the relationship set before you – unhindered, unfettered, never looking back.
The hardest things in life are the only ones worth living for – worth dying for.
Just as I was sought for, I will seek.
Just as I was lavished on, I will pour out.
Just as I was lifted from miry clay, I will hold out a steady hand in order to raise up, then even launch the fledglings into flight.
I will love them because He first loved me and has lavishly poured Himself into my being, giving me new life that is wholly capable of love… real love. I will yield to His love and return it to Him. For that to happen I need fully face the hardest things in life, not shrinking back, not turning aside but laying myself down… losing my life that it may be found.
when will your devotional book be available in stores for me to buy? :)
ReplyDeletejust awesome.
love you!
This was beautiful to read today. Thank you for mirroring Him, you've managed to take my focus off the cracked mirror I was looking in and instead place my focus on my Savior, who is so worth it all!
ReplyDeleteSo thankful for the HOPE I have in Him!
Melanie ~a wife and mom of 5 who enjoys reading your blog ;)
I so want to thank you Licia for posting this today of all days. today is my dad's birthday and he has been home for 12 years now. i do so miss him, his laugh, his help in everything. today i will go to the funeral of someone I cared for dearly when others turned their backs on him due to his hygiene. i was a loving man and I did love him. I loved his son more at one time and today I will go and see him on the hardest day of his life.. Thank you again Licia.
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