One can only rise from ashes
I'm not a religious person. Spiritual, yes, but not religious.
But I wanted to share something that's been rattling around in my head since yesterday, Easter.
In an NPR story I read, author Anne Lamont introduced the concept of an "Easter people living in a Good Friday world." She doesn't really explain what this means. Perhaps to Christians it's obvious, but I'm going to tell you what I think it means.
Phoenixes can only be reborn from the ashes. Jesus could only be resurrected after his crucifixion. Good can only come after bad.
Maybe this is true. I hope it's true. I hope this for the family who is grieving the second loss of a child. I hope this for the family whose ailing daughter received a kidney from a father who, as a result of the complications, is now hospitalized with brain damage and kidney problems. I hope this for my family.
I have to believe that these people are not simply going to suffer tragedy after tragedy. I have to believe that we can rise from the ashes. I've seen it done before, and I know it can happen again. It's our turn, now.
Do you hear me, God? It's our turn.
But I wanted to share something that's been rattling around in my head since yesterday, Easter.
In an NPR story I read, author Anne Lamont introduced the concept of an "Easter people living in a Good Friday world." She doesn't really explain what this means. Perhaps to Christians it's obvious, but I'm going to tell you what I think it means.
Phoenixes can only be reborn from the ashes. Jesus could only be resurrected after his crucifixion. Good can only come after bad.
Maybe this is true. I hope it's true. I hope this for the family who is grieving the second loss of a child. I hope this for the family whose ailing daughter received a kidney from a father who, as a result of the complications, is now hospitalized with brain damage and kidney problems. I hope this for my family.
I have to believe that these people are not simply going to suffer tragedy after tragedy. I have to believe that we can rise from the ashes. I've seen it done before, and I know it can happen again. It's our turn, now.
Do you hear me, God? It's our turn.
It IS your turn - and the turn of the other families you mentioned. I'm sorry to hear that things have been hard lately, but it looks like Easter was a fun day. The boys are adorable as always.
ReplyDeleteThank you Colleen. They are pretty stinkin cute!
DeleteI was in your place at one time - wondering when my family would family catch a break. But what I've realized over the years is that only those who have known sorrow can ever truly know joy. And my life is now full of joy.
ReplyDeleteThat's really encouraging to hear, Andi. Thank you. You are truly an inspiration to me.
DeleteBeautiful and I am with you in these thoughts. I love your pictures! We need to get together again soon...oh, we will see you next weekend!!
ReplyDeleteYes! See you next weekend!
DeleteYou nailed it - Easter is about hope and we hope with the most passion when we're in need. It helps us stay in our struggle with the belief we won't be here forever and something wonderful will come of it and that we will be changed in the process. Sometimes it just stinks that unlike the finality of Easter Sunday, we yo yo between joy and pain and that's just exhausting.
ReplyDelete"Nailed it" huh? Pun intended? ;)
DeleteYes, it is exhausting that the "rebirthing" process seems to take so freaking long. A years-long labor with no guarantee that the end product will be as perfect as we imagined it would be.