I Thought I Had A Lot to Say

When I started this blog, I thought I had a lot to say. I've never been one to be at a loss for words (unless Vince Gill suddenly shows up to do a concert in my backyard... then I might be). But me? Lost for words? Almost never.

Recently it has become harder to find the right words to offer people, because to be honest, words feel so empty right now. So inadequate for what so many are going through.

Cute phrases and Hobby Lobby signs are not going to cut it right now. There's not enough Living,

Laughing, or Loving that feels like it's going to pull some people through.

Part of me wants desperately to wave a wand and "fix" all the things for the ones that I know who are hurting. The one who lost the love of his life due to her body just shutting down. The one who lost her husband and now must raise a baby on her own because his mind betrayed him. The one who can't see to get ahead no matter how generous they are to others. The wars. The wages. The world as we know it.

I want it to be fixed. To be healed. To be whole.

But I am reminded that we won't see that on this side of heaven. And maybe there's a reason for that. True peace was only ever found in a garden called Eden. Back when peace was perfect. Now peace is pieced together like a broken pot that's glued back together. And while I know the Holy Spirit is here, working on our behalf, I have to realize that until we see heaven, the rest here and now will always leave us wanting more.

Peace this side of heaven won't ever be perfect. That's why I am singing the song of community and having people in our lives so loud right now. The hymn of togetherness and serving each other. Weeping with those who weep. Celebrating the hell out of the graduates, the babies, the promotions, the vows, the small and silly stuff. I'm preaching to anyone that will hear me that we need more stories told on couches, back porches, restaurants, and dinners together where collectively we can just take a moment to breathe.

Words won't fix things right now, but chicken casseroles and nights on patios might just do the trick.