graphic: Martha G.Brady
For years, the way I handled hard times
Was to think about the future and say,
“Things are hard now, but they will get better…tomorrow”
Eventually, they did…at least on some level.
The way I handled hard times was to think about the future and say, Things are hard now, but they will get better tomorrow Share on XOften, I learned new things about myself, GOD and life
From the hard times.
But about the time I was in my 60’s,
Something new happened.
My thinking started to change.
I started having to say, “Good-bye.”
To many of aspects of my life I once enjoyed.
I realized that in many ways, my life was not going to improve.
Things weren’t going to get better here on earth.
In some ways, they were going to get worse (here)
Before they got better ( in heaven).
The hard part was that the process could take many years.
I realized that something about my theology of coping
Had been wrong if I was looking to tomorrow for things to improve. stop
That wasn’t really dealing with the problem.
It was simply postponing dealing with it!
When you see an older person who seems sad, yes, even a Christian,
The reality of this loss may be hitting them.
When you see an older person who seems sad, yes, even a Christian, the reality of this loss may be hitting them. Share on XThey have reached a stage in their life where their career won’t get better.
Their health won’t improve. They won’t become stronger.
They will need to sink their roots deeper into GOD’s Word
In ways they never needed to before. It’s a good thing.
Knowing we need to sink our roots deeper into GOD's Word in new ways is a good thing. Share on XThey will need to invest their lives in others more than ever.
The foundations they built their lives on, not what they thought,
But what they actually did build on, will show up…
And may be found wanting…
When you get to the point in your life when you know you have passed your prime.
When you see the tomorrows ahead as being more downhill.
Where will you sink your trust?
When you get to the point in your life when you know you have passed your prime. Where will you sink your trust? Share on XYes, you will enjoy your close friends…if you or they haven’t moved away or died.
Yes, you will enjoy your spouse…if he or she is still living and aware.
Yes, you will enjoy the presence of your children and grandchildren…
If they live nearby and you have cordial relations with them.
Yes, you will enjoy an active lifestyle…if you still have good health.
But if any or all of those things are gone? Then what?
Then you will have your relationship with Jesus.
It will come down to that.
Will He be enough?
I’m not at the point where He is all I have.
But I am finding that when I lose things I once held dear,
That He is filling up places I never expected Him to fill.
I expect He will be enough for the coming tomorrows
No matter what they hold.
The challenges won’t be easy, painless or without grief.
But GOD is bigger than all that and he will be near and sufficient.
I have cared for you since you were born.
Yes, I carried you before you were born.
I will be your God throughout your lifetime—
until your hair is white with age.
I made you, and I will care for you.
I will carry you along and save you.Isaiah 46:3-4 (NLT)
I did some minor editing here 7/13/15.
This has been my #1 read and commented on post of the year since it was posted April 16, 2015. I thought I would repost it today. As I read it, I was convicted of its truth once again.
Hi Martha! I saw your title and just had to read your post – and I was not disappointed. ‘Then you will have your relationship with Jesus. It will come down to that.’ Your words ring true and impart so much hope to me as God’s been digging around in my less-than-well-founded roots recently. It’s good to let him show us what foundations are temporal, and shift us to those that are indeed eternal. You share such a good perspective here today. Thank you.
ruth, thanks. i’m glad this was hopeful to you.it has become hopeful to me too. i find that people who are dealing with this find what i had to say hopeful but for those that aren’t here yet, it is a bit scary…understandably.
i think it has been helpful to make some sense of suffering when it shows us where we are depending on the wrong things for our security. it isn’t easy of course, but it helps bring some redemption out of hard times doesn’t it?
Sobering indeed since I turn 65 this year; however, I don’t yet feel some of the things you wrote. I still look forward to tomorrow with anticipation and eagerness – as though something good is going to happen – I call that the Hope of glory living inside of me and I am so grateful! Lots of food for thought written in your FMF post today!
Susan,some contributing factors to my thought processes? i have been nursing in a rehab unit for the last 5 years (before moving to AL); we have moved a few times in the past 10 years; my husband is 8 years older than i so i am also dealing with issues beyond my own age. i hope this doesn’t sound too gloomy. it is informations i have been processing for a few years. i actually feel more optimistic about my future now than i did a few years ago…of course, my future in heaven will be awesome. it’s the in between that often causes some concern.
Martha, these ‘hard things’ in life are just that HARD, amen? Heaven will be amazing – when we get there, let’s share a cuppa. OK? My mansion, or yours? xoxo
It’s going to be amazing isn’t it susan? and in ways we don’t imagine! a sermon at church a year or so ago reminded us of who some of our neighbors will be…our pastor told the story of the horrors of the life of Jeffrey Dahmer, who became a genuine believer while awaiting trial and changed…was discipled by a pastor until he was killed by some inmates who got to him while he was isolated from other prisoners…about 2 or 3 years into his life imprisonment for as horrific crimes as i can imagine!
the sermon that day was really stunning as we tho’t of the neighborhood we’ll be living in, in heaven! and we’ll all know that we have been redeemed just like him!…no more, no less! since then, i’ve tho’t a lot about the neighborhood there. who will my neighbors be? i never tho’t on that b/f!
for sure. if there is still chai latte there, i’d love to have one with you:) i’m looking forward to the gardening up there with no pests or weeds! should be delightful! hoping there will be some quilting too b/c the colors there should be stunningly awesome!
Have you ever read Rebecca Springer’s Within the Gates? Oh, if not, you must. I believe it is a Kindle download on Amazon. Check it out and LMK what you think! I LOVE THAT BOOK.
i don’t think i have…and all the moving got me very far behind on reading! i’ll have to get with it this summer! thanks susan:)
Martha, such a sobering thought, isn’t it? And yet, He gives us such hope that He will always be there, He will always be that which we need & He will always be enough. So grateful for Him. Blessings!
hi joanne. thanks for dropping by:) i hate to bring up the gloomy topics, but i also know that if they are on my mind, they have been on the minds of others who are often afraid they are the only ones who think about them. as a nurse, i have bumped into many who deal with these issues in varying forms along the way. some have Christ and of course, others don’t and are crazy stressed! well, many christians are too! they/we don’t realize that we are often in these situations so we will realize where we are trusting in the wrong things or being stoics instead of giving our futures to Christ to deal with as He sees fit…a very scary and fearful thing for most of us!
as i have realized in a new way only recently, it is the poor and weak who find that easiest to do…and most americans want to be independent and self-reliant! no wonder we have such a hard time trusting GOD! When we think of some of our brothers and sisters in syria, iraq, many of the african countries who have undergone such horrible persecution? They are trusting GOD for their lives each day, not whether they can be independent! yet they are joyful! that is a christianity we know little about isn’t it? i’m humbled.
when I lose things I once held dear,
That He is filling up places I never expected Him to fill.
This is beautiful and true. Thank you for your honest perspective.
thanks for stopping by debbie. i enjoyed your about page:) reminded me of myself. GOD didn’t allow me stay in many aspects of my perfectionism as long. the way He did it was by plunking us in Jamaica for 7 years shortly after we were married. it knocked out all my perfect being on time for everything…knocked out my awareness of time..almost! after 1 1/2 years of no watch, i adjusted to the culture and enjoyed the benefits of Jamaican time. it was great during the 7 years of having 3 babies:) i highly recommend it!
living in a culture that is focused on people, not tasks changed me for the better in ways that helped the churches we pastored in the years after. not all our churches appreciated it, but it was much better for them and our family in the long run.
I am so pleased you have Jesus. I loved reading your piece and want to send you all my best wishes and most positive energies. I can’t imagine how hard it all is for you. {Your FMF neighbour}
thanks helen. i don’t mean for this to sound like a recent thing i am in the middle of. it is something i have been coming through for a few years. as i read it over now, it sounds more gloomy than i feel right now. my present is very joyful in many ways, but much of my tomorrow (30 yrs.?) excitement has more to do with my life after this earth:)