Life is...

You've probably seen them. "Life is good" shirts are popping up all over, and I'm a huge fan! They feature a wide variety of interests with the simple caption, "Life is good" written beneath. My guys know me and my heart. They know my interests and my passions. Last year for my birthday, they surprised me with a treasure chest of surprises, including a "Life is good" coffee shirt. I wear it proudly, ever reminded of the simple pleasures of each new day.


But this week has been difficult in many ways.

I learned that my dear sister-in-law's father has cancer...how I hurt for her. A friend and classmate from high school was killed in a car accident. She was only 35. Then, of course, there was the painful goodbye to my heart friend as she moved far away...

Yesterday I learned that another friend of mine and her husband recently divorced. And while traveling, we came upon another devastating car crash.

On top of all this, when we arrived at my parents' home yesterday, we were greeted by a "For Sale" sign in their yard. Oh, we knew it was coming. They've been talking and planning and dreaming about their new home for the past few years. And I'm excited for them...really. But seeing this sign outside my childhood home just put me over the top.

As we traveled with my parents and I was rehearsing this week's events in my mind, I got a bad case of what my grandma calls "PLOM Disease." Poor Little Old Me. And the thoughts swirling around in my head came right out.

"Life stinks," I uttered.

I'm so thankful for my guys who keep me ever looking to Jesus; that when my focus is inward and set on the temporal, they direct my gaze back to Jesus. A little voice from the backseat responded to my little outburst with some much-needed perspective: "But Mom, if it wasn't for life, I wouldn't be here." Convicted, I turned around and told him that he was right...that even in the midst of heartache, God is faithful; He can be trusted.

And my husband, who regularly holds me and provides opportunity for me to cry, vent, and share my hurts with him, pointed me back to the Truth. He lovingly reminded me that while life is hard...God is good.

My circumstances may change from day to day. There may be days when life doesn't feel good; when the hurts and cares of this world weigh heavily on our hearts. But even in those painful days, we can rest confidently that "Life is hard...God is good."

Oh, taste and see that the Lord is good! Blessed is the man who takes refuge in Him! Psalm 34:8

For You, O Lord, are good and forgiving, abounding in steadfast love to all who call upon You." Psalm 86:5

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; He knows those who take refuge in Him." Nahum 1:7