God, I’m fumbling around for answers, reasons, meaning.
I can’t find any purpose in this pain.
Why me?
Why them?
Why now?
I don’t know when this is going to get better.
Or if I will ever feel relief.
Blessed are we who need to be reminded
that there are some things we can fix
…and some things we can’t.
Blessed are we who can say:
my life isn’t always getting better.
Right in the midst of the pain and fear and uncertainty,
may we hunt for beauty and meaning and truth… together.
Not to erase the pain or solve the pain,
(though surely that would be nice),
but to remind us that beauty and sorrow coexist.
And that doesn’t mean we’re broken or have been forgotten.
In our hope. In our disappointment. In our joy. In our pain.
God is here and we are never—were never and will be never—alone.
This blessing was inspired by my conversation with Dr. Stanley Hauerwas on the Everything Happens Podcast. Listen to it here.
Thank you so much for this blessing. My beautiful young adult son Leo died by suicide (related to OCD) less than two months ago. Everything about this blessing speaks to me today–on All Souls Day–a day that reminds me that neither I, nor my son, is alone.
Here is Leo’s obituary (in the hope that he will be remembered): https://www.burgessandtedescofuneralhomes.com/obituaries/leo-shiner
Beautiful blessing. I sent it to my daughter. She’s a college student in Chicago and is struggling with severe anxiety. Please pray for her.
Having been a caregiver on different levels with my parents and my husband, I understand the pain of things that will not improve and am touched by the love and wisdom in this blessing.
I’ve been there too, am there – and I hear you AND see you. We are not alone. So thankful for that!
Thanks, Kate. Again. I do feel seen by your words. Keep it up (I mean, only when you feel feel up to it:)
Kate, this is so beautiful & true. Would you make your blessings printer friendly? Then they could easily be given to a friend or taped to the refrigerator. Bless you!
Love these. Please make them printer friendly ❤️
[…] A Blessing For When Things Don’t Make Any Sense […]
I have been struggling with intense physical pain in my hands, neck and shoulders the past 2-½ months, and have carpal tunnel surgery, which has helped a bit, but still wake up every morning in pain. This blessing touches my heart just to know someone understands that suffering and joy co-exist. Thank you so much for these blessings…they breathe hope and life.