Monday, September 20, 2021

Mount Rainier

    We all feel like bursting into tears sometimes. Of course it looks different on each of us. It may be crumpling a page, or pounding a fist when showing weakness just won’t do. It could be grabbing the dog’s leash because the dog needs a walk RIGHT NOW! Perhaps it’s a long shower where tears mingle with the drenching.

    Two of our children, who are grappling with becoming young men, have been especially fierce today. They’re restored now, but after their storm clouds cleared, I struggled to pick up the pieces of myself.
    As I sat to write, my pages full of words looked dull and blank. I opened my notebook to scribble new thoughts, anything, just to get some words out and here’s what I found; Ezra and her best friend, Ava, climbing Mount Rainier. I didn’t remember that she’d drawn in my book. It seems to say that climbing mountains is possible together. I’m reminded that we’re not alone, in parenting or in anything else we do, others have led the way for ages upon ages. Forging ahead with courage sometimes takes simple reminders like this. And though my emotions may feel all over the map, on any given point of every map, God is near and in the hardship He is our strength. If your moment feels like a mountain, take heart, we’re in this together. And don’t give up, courage is built one step and one day at a time.