Do we truly live life, or do we go through the motions of living life? For me personally it depends on where I am, or what I’m going through at the time. I’ve done both.
Life offers us different opportunities to grow, learn, experience and feel. Some I’ve enjoyed, some have been hard. Sometimes my attitude hasn’t been open to change.
Six years ago on August 8, 2016, my mom went to heaven. I was blessed to care for her. It was a difficult time for my siblings and me. My sister-in-law was caring for my brother who was battling Multiple Myeloma. My sister’s father-in-law was sick and she was caring for him. So each one of us was in a season of caregiving, and in the midst of it, each one of us was preparing our hearts to say good-bye. We were going through the motions of living our daily lives during that time as we were steeped in caregiving and grief.
This past week I spent time reflecting on my childhood and what it taught me. It was both a beautiful time and a hard time. My mom was our rock. Growing up in an alcoholic home, she was the one who held everything together, which was no easy feat. No matter how bad things were, my mom never stopped believing that things would change for the better. Watching her example taught me so much:
- Never give up. Things will improve.
- Be strong. Deep inside I have the strength to keep going.
- Faith, without it I couldn’t keep going.
- Believe others can change.
- Love and care for others.
- Growth comes through our difficulties.
- Take life one day at a time.
I didn’t enjoy my childhood, but as I look back now, I know God doesn’t make mistakes. I was in the right family. As a child, I didn’t understand that, but I do today. God has a plan for each one of us even if we don’t always understand it. My life experiences gave me a heart and a ministry for women: God’s plan for me. I am thankful that I can reflect and see His hand on my life. Reflecting on such memories teaches us things; they help us see what we’ve learned.
2016 was a difficult year, losing my mom then six months later, my brother. Our family of six is now a family of two, my sister and me. Every season of life offers us a different challenge. It’s up to us to decide what we are going to learn from it. We don’t always understand why things happen, but one thing I’ve learned is to trust God and His plan for me.
Dear Marie,
I am so thankful for you and that you willingly share your amazing gift of encouragement with others. You’re right; God does not make mistakes. I have to let things go and give them all to God because He works all things for good. Sending you much love!
Thank you Donna. It’s not easy sometimes to let go. Freedom comes when you do.
Your life experiences touches me deeply! I understand… Loosing our loved ones one after another, to care for them and then loose them is the hardest thing. I know, because I lived it. I haven’t been open to change but I’m trying one day at a time. The strength of God is with me and faith keeps me going one day at a time.
Thank you for sharing. I know you understand. You have experienced a lot of loss too.
Thank you Marie.
You’re welcome.
Thank you Marie for sharing those seasons of your life. It definitely opens my eyes about my past and God’s plan for me. I am forever grateful I have my faith and a loving Father who watches over me always. Things are tough for me now but God has me and will take me into my next season with many lessons learned, even learning from the painful ones. ❤️
Thank you for sharing. Yes, God will watch over you and take you through all the seasons He has planned for you. You are special to Him. You are His daughter.
Praying for you.
It is amazing how these difficult times in our lives give us an opportunity to grow in our love and trust you in the Lord. Through this He helps us to be stronger when we get to the other side! You are a blessing to me 💜
I actually thought you were gonna go in a different direction as I started reading this. I am finally learning to be present and be who God intended me to be in whatever is happening. Be not just do. Human being instead of a human doing. Those seasons of loss and grief broke me but I am starting to see how God has used them to build me more into the woman He always intended me to be. Thank you as always for your words and sharing the beautiful being that created you to be.
You’re right, I could’ve gone in another direction with this blog. I didn’t think about that until I read your comment. Thank you for a new blog.
There are lessons to learn in every season. I will admit it hasn’t always been easy to let go and let God be in control. Loss teaches us many things. For me, I’ve learned the most when I’m going through the motions of living.
You are a beautiful woman Dawn inside and out. So happy to know you. You have are a great encourager to me. Thank you.
You are so right. We may not always like it when we are going through but trusting Him for the outcome makes us stronger. Love you.