Hope Deferred Makes the Heart Sick ; Secrets of Simplicity
There are days I sit and write words to share wondering if anyone reads them. I ponder if the strokes my pen brings to paper makes a difference in the world where they land. There are formulas to write a great post and recommendations to reach more readers.
The words on this blog are sifted through real life on most days. It may be rough and crazy, but it is honest and true. I have never done well at doing “it” right.
Today, the words have been a struggle to get on paper and the keyboard and I are not friends either. They feel like sandpaper upon my soul.
Perhaps it is the subject or my desire to fit into a neat box like “other” writers. Sigh. The words feel messy. I would like to close the laptop and walk away. However, I can’t shake the thought perhaps there is a reader who will find these words on a day when they need it most and will realize hope is for them too.
Longing for a life of simplicity, significance and meaning was birthed from a season when gray and darkness filled each corner of my days. Every breath was an effort. The world called it depression. I called it the awful. The hardest part of the awful was when hope eluded me. There was no longer any glimpses of sunshine. Grey was everywhere. I gave up. Yes, I kept breathing, but I did not want to. I had a family, children and a husband who needed me- but deep inside I questioned if the me who could give to them would ever be whole again. In the midst of the awful, precious friends surrounded me, prayed and loved me. They could not fix it, they could only encourage me not to give up. They were hope when my hope bucket was empty.
Hope is the thing with feathers that perches in the soul and sings the tune without the words and never stops at all.” – Emily Dickinson
Photo Credit: Cheddarcheez via Compfight cc
If you are struggling with hope today- I reach out my hand and long to throw a life-preserver to you. Sometimes, that is what you need the most.
Today’s Challenge- Is a bit different from most we’ve shared.
- If you need hope seek someone you trust and share honestly your empty place.
- If you know of someone who needs their empty bucket filled… do it. You can be Jesus with skin on for them today.
I pray for you sweet reader…Lord reveal yourself to my friends today, where they find themselves. I pray your love will surround them and overtake them in the hardest of places and the driest of lands. Bring people into their lives who will love them, hug them and be you with skin on in this moment. Amen
Kind of a gray day inside of me today. Outside the sun shone and the trees looked vibrant. Inside I kept thinking about a little baby I already love sight unseen.
Anne- thinking about this little baby with you today too……
I’m doing a book with Jess’ abstract art and my poetry. Writing it in response to her art. There’s a gray one in there. She hasn’t seen it yet. I think a lot of people will be able to relate. Grief takes our color for a while.
I have said the exact words you wrote here. Kindred spirits- familiar paths- sisters in suffering.
I, too, have wondered if others read my written words, and finally left them to the winds of cyberspace, believing that the souls who need them will find them.
Hugs to you, my friend. Keep pressing on.
keep writing my friend. We are not responsible for the outcome.. only for the “do” Our Abba Father can multiply our smallest of efforts, and bring forth baskets overflowing with grace and hope to another.
Blessings!!
I’ve been in those dark seasons, the one of depression and another of my own poor choices, when it seemed like there was no hope that life would ever be the same or that God could ever use me again. In those moments I had to go with my head knowledge that nothing lasts forever. I knew that depression wasn’t going to last until I was old; and the consequences of my choices caused me to sit out of life for a season, but in the end God was going to use my story as a testimony to His faithfulness.
Never lose hope. Things may look bad or be difficult today, but the natural rhythms of life mean that things change, people move on and things always get better. Because God….!
never lose hope- words to remember daily. 🙂
Blessings
Thanks, Nancy, for pressing on and sharing your hope with others “They were hope when my hope bucket was empty,” and “I reach out my hand and long to throw a life-preserver to you.”
Love those lines.”
Blessings & hugs,
Wanda
Blessings Wanda…. your words written are often those very things to others as you share your own story of hope!
Simple honesty spoken for me with words I can’t seem to find or form lately. Thank you Nancy for pressing on (the keyboard)!
Hugs Jerry…