This is my favorite week of the year--a week of reflection before my favorite holiday [Easter].
Recently, I started reading “Emotionally Healthy Spirituality” as part of the Mom’s group I attend [yes, even though I’m not a mom]. The book has been informative yet dry for me. I have found it somewhat boring and I have not really appreciated it. Until today. I realized that a few weeks ago, I was receiving messages that would carry me through some upcoming difficult times. And then those times hit.
I was created a people-pleaser. I was groomed to “do good” and be the best I can be while doing it. I love helping others. I give 150% at work and in play. I do things for the right reasons even though I sometimes make mistakes. The best lesson my daddy (remember I’m Southern and we proudly say “daddy”) taught me is: Never look at WHAT someone did, look at WHY they did it. You can imagine how hard it hit when my character was attacked recently. It’s happened in a few significant situations over the past month and a half. It’s hard when not everyone has that simple nugget of wisdom that my daddy instilled in me at a young age. I felt violated, betrayed, bewildered and physically unsafe. In turn, the anger became overwhelming. The verse that I keep reciting to myself is Exodus 14:14: The Lord will fight for you - you need only to be still.
One night when sitting on my bed partying [pity partying, that is], entrenched in quite a few “head shaking” and “expletives shouting” moments [Sorry, cover your ears/eyes God], it hit me. I ran to get my “Emotionally Healthy” book and instinctively, I knew exactly where to turn. I re-read the chapter on where Jesus was questioned. In doing right, he disappointed so many.
He disappointed family members.
He disappointed friends.
He disappointed the disciples.
He disappointed [and regularly rebuked and pissed off] the religious leaders.
So...I’m in good company.
The timeliness of my “situations”make this week even more reverent as I reflect upon the meaning of this week and Good Friday.
When I think of Good Friday and the crucifixion, the following words come to mind:
suffering. unjust. undeserved. cruel. dark. punishment. tears. loneliness. pain. sadness. horror. ridicule. betrayal. separated. broken.
It had to happen to complete the unfolding story. It would become a part of so many others’ stories.
Within recent situations, I felt those same words on a personal level.
And then, I’m reminded. Beyond their limited perspective, on the horizon, would be: resurrection. The following words come to mind:
celebration. hope. light. justice. goodness. redemption. healing. joy. warmth. reconciliation. strength. vision. grace.
Within other recent situations, I have also felt these words on a personal level.
So on this Easter, bask in your pain. It has to happen to complete YOUR unfolding story. It’s also a part of someone else’s. Feel it, every part of it. Decide how to use it. Who needs to hear your story? Share it, ALL of it, uncensored. Know that in the near future, a resurrection is coming. There will be celebration. Joy will be abundant. Redemption will come.
Happy Easter with love,
Danielle
