Becoming Ready

“Be ready! Be fully dressed and have your lights shining.” Luke 12:35 ERV

I typically look forward to Thanksgiving while preparing for food, connection in relationship, and fellowship amongst family and friends. However, last week, I found myself torn between being thankful for my life as it is, and for those that I knew who would meet the holiday grieved from life’s circumstances.

I have friends and family that find themselves in the midst of experiencing unexpected death of loved ones, unanticipated release from employment, finality of divorce, and seeking answers for unexplained sickness.

Great loss is never an easy journey, and sometimes, trying to come up with words for someone’s loss can seem defeating. How can anyone ever “be ready” for those things?

Personally, I think that deep down, I know that no matter what I say, or heartfelt it is, it won’t compensate for their void. And it won’t take away their pain.

But losses are supposed to be just that. Unfixed. Unfinished. Final. 

The problem is that many of us don’t like to accept the finality of things that still need time, need completion, or doesn’t make any sense. Naturally, we like to try and fix things or people, yet it is impossible to fix what is out of our control. 

When I look back on my weaknesses, and the emotional pain suffered from my own losses, I find that life didn’t stop because of my circumstances, and time never stood still, even when it felt like it had stopped. 

What I did have, in front of me, was a choice. I have always had a choice in front of me. Some things can never be gained in the way of a replacement. They can, however, be significant by the way I choose to look at my life and in the manifestation of how I live my life. 

Loss was never intended to be easy, or understood. It always seems to come with some type of price. I find myself continuing to be thankful. Being thankful despite my losses has taught me the purpose of living in the present moment and the importance of everyday moments. 

In an unexpected way, loss has shown me how to get ready, and be dressed in the light. It has guided me into what I consider the meaning of what it is to truly live.

May you join me in finding thankfulness for each and every blessing, not forgetting the ones still to come.

~ Baring His Beauty,

    Tiffany Thomas