I really have been enjoying this thought process of the eb and flow in the universe. When my brother and I would go camping we would sometimes have to remind ourselves at how amazing the sun felt after several days of cold rain. I am aware that most campers never take the time to experience more than a stretch of a day or two of rain; they just call their trip short.
I wonder what kind of breakthroughs they would have experienced if they had just waited out the rain, experienced a little bit of discomfort with not being able to put fully dry clothes on. How you may have to compensate in expending more energy to keep warm, or trying to dry clothes next to a fire under a lean to. One has to use the creativity of your mind in problem solving and sometimes just letting the experience of being wet be your new reality.
More importantly, you really learn what people are made of in the wilderness. Do they stay positive in controversy? Do they encourage others to soak up the moment(no pun intended)? Do you notice the way relationships grow in times of struggle? I will never be closer to anyone than those I have experienced adversity with. And Yes I do believe it is a blessing. The learning opportunities I would have missed if it weren’t for getting lost, misplacing gear or the map, or rationing food or water by the end of a trip.
I often ask myself or am asked by others, would I change my past for a different one, and I quickly can answer that with an emphatic “no”. I simply would not be who I am today if it weren’t for all of the past experiences to have been realized. Who would I be without the pain of divorce? Who would I be without the financial struggle? Who would I be without the immaturity of doing some not so smart things?
One of my favorite books of the Bible is Job for all of the same reasons. Not only did he suffer more than anyone can imagine he never lost his faith in the Lord. We have to remember our timing is not his timing and how much sweeter the reward is if we just carry on.
I will leave you with my favorite verse. Romans 5: 1-5
1 Therefore, since we have been justified through faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ,
2 through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we boast in the hope of the glory of God.
3 Not only so, but we also glory in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance;
4 perseverance, character; and character, hope.
5 And hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured out into our hearts through the Holy Spirit, who has been given to us.
I like it, you are so wise!
Heather I really enjoyed reading your blog. Thank you for writing it and sharing. One of the things I tell my kids is tough times don’t build character….tough times reveal it.
Such a beautiful message. Thank you for sharing.
It is not always easy to see the silver lining but in time He allows for some glimpse of the purpose.
Good to know. Well what we don’t get in rain we make up in snow. I hear you got some of the weeks back as well. 😉
I so appreciate you Elena thank you so much.
Thank you for being such a champion in our group. I so appreciate you.
Thanks for sharing. I think that is why I love war movies so much. 🙂
Beautiful blog Heather! Thanks for sharing and for what you shared in the call.
So true. Thanks for your article
You really learn what people are made of in a war zone. They stay positive and help you do the same They encourage them selves and others to soak it up. Relationships grow in a brotherhood. Members of the team become closer then anyone understands. There is no race, color or anything. There is only one thing. Save your ass and your teams ass. No other place will you learn this other than a fox hole in a war zone.
So beautifully written Heather! To be able to be grateful for all the adversity because it makes you who you are is a great gift many miss.
Heather, you must live here in CA like I do, because all we’ve seen this year is rain! 🙂
Lovely blog, Heather. I agree, that we should celebrate our past difficulties for the character-building they bring. Thanks for sharing.