Those who go out weeping, bearing the seed for sowing, shall come home with shouts of joy, carrying their sheaves.
Psalm 126:6
Two years ago, I broke my neck diving into a swimming pool. I was instantly paralyzed, became a quadriplegic with nerve damage in all four limbs. For a long time after the accident, I had no idea what my life would be like now that everything in my life changed. I cried out with tears
of grief and loss. Who could imagine that the accident that made me disabled could also bring joy and new life.
Before the accident, I imagined that I could do it all and wore myself out trying. Now, I am able to draw boundaries and focus on what gives me joy, sloughing off the things that drained me. Before the accident, I worried about all the bad things that could happen, often robbing myself of the possibility that things could go well. After the accident, I often say, “What’s the worst that could happen? I could break my neck?” I am learning to live in possibility rather than fear. Before the accident, I missed all the little things—everyday accomplishments and blessings. Now, I am grateful for the smallest things I once took for granted.
We will never willingly choose a difficult path, but God always willingly and lovingly lays out a path toward life. By the power of God, the journey of tears leads to the possibilities of joy. Indeed, our tears water the seeds of God’s love as testimony to the power of God’s work in our lives.
Loving God, let the tears of our lives water the seeds of hope as you turn our sorrow into joy. Open our eyes to the possibility of hope in all circumstances so that we live in gratitude for your grace in our lives shown to us in Jesus Christ, our Lord. Amen.
The Rev. Dr. Jennifer L Phelps is a pastor in the ELCA living in Stroudsburg, PA. She once served as the Executive Director of Lutheran Congregational Services.
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