The world did not stop the day after Molly died, just like it doesn't stop with any death of anyone. For the people who are close to the person that died, the world may not stop, but you definitely feel a jolt in your world and it's never the same. There's an empty chair at the breakfast table the next day or one less person to take care of or one less interaction during the day. Obviously Molly was not here long enough for those things, but in my case every day is one more dream I had for her going unfulfilled. I can't believe how much I miss her and the dreams I had for her. I can't believe how much it feels like part of me is still missing. Such a tiny girl who was only here for 7 days and it seems so long ago, yet it always kind of feels like it just happened. The ache I feel today has definitely become a little more dull and less often than the beginning, but the days I feel it or when something unexpectedly triggers it always feels raw and emotional all over again. So today, as I shed a few tears over the things that will never be, it pushes me that much harder to the cross and the hope that lies in it. I can't express the intensity of the push, I've never been pushed this hard before and I can't say I enjoy it. I know this is part of God's purpose of Molly's life and His plan for mine and I keep thinking of Jesus' disciples who were persecuted and died because they loved Jesus that much. I am obviously not being persecuted for my beliefs, but my point is sometimes following and trusting Jesus is hard. Suffering and brokenness are a blessing, but they are hard... that's why they're a blessing. One way I think about it is a race or a goal, that you're not totally sure you can finish... and it's hard and it's tiring, but the longer and harder you have to work at it , the more it makes the feeling at the finish line or completed goal that much sweeter. Your accomplishment wouldn't feel as big or rewarding if it was easy.
"...we rejoice in our suffering, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and HOPE DOES NOT DISSAPPOINT us, because God's love has been poured in our hearts through the holy spirit which has been given to us." -Romans 5:3-5
Not the way I would've chosen to produce endurance, character and hope in Christ, but it was God's choice and I'm trusting that he knows best. Thank you God for creating a thirst for Jesus in me!
Headed into the wonderful world of BOYS! (as if we haven't already been there the past 5 years... ha!) |
LOVE my goofy guys so much it hurts! |