Today is the 3rd Sunday of advent- Joy! At first, thinking about everything going on right now, it's hard to find joy. It's been a week since my dad passed and I feel like I'm in a daze. It still doesn't seem possible. As I drove to Joliet last night, I struggled, thinking about how each week I would usually call my dad on my way. Then, as I walked in the house I would be greeted by my parents and then I would sit down and we would talk about the week we had and plans for the weekend. I can't do that anymore and it's hard... really hard. Things will never be the same again.
But, I can't stop there. I can't dwell on that for too long. I can see now how people can withdraw and shut people out. But, I have to seek God in this time. And, in this season of advent, I have to look for the joy!
It doesn't take long for me to find it once I start looking. I am getting constant reminders of the joy around me. It's in the friends and family that have surrounded us during this time. I've gotten messages, cards, phone calls, and surprises throughout the last few weeks and they have kept me going. I know that God is holding me up by using the love of those around me. Without that, I wouldn't be able to handle anything. I've been so touched by the ways people have shown up in my life to help me through this time. My employers have been awesome, the people from the churches I'm a part of in some way have all been so thoughtful in so many ways, family and friends have reached out, and so many people who loved my dad have shared stories with me.
Today was the visitation. We had pictures of my dad all around, a video of pictures of my dad, and family and friends coming to pay their respects to my dad. So many wonderful memories were in that room today! What joy those memories were filled with! I saw people I hadn't seen in forever and people I see all the time. I got to hear stories of my dad and hear how loved he was.
Tomorrow, we will have a celebration of his life. My sister and I have tried to make it a time to honor our dad and share the love we had for him with the people that will be there. I am counting on joy being a part of our day.
I can't guarantee that there won't be tears tomorrow. In fact, I can pretty much guarantee that there will be tears. (Hopefully, I will get through speaking with a minimal amount of tears.) I know that there will be days ahead that will be really hard. But, I am grateful for the people in my life who I can count on to help me through those times.
So, where was God today? He was in the people who were a part of today, showing love for my dad and for me. And, he's been in the people around me the last few weeks helping me get through the hard days.
Blessings,
Jennifer
But, I can't stop there. I can't dwell on that for too long. I can see now how people can withdraw and shut people out. But, I have to seek God in this time. And, in this season of advent, I have to look for the joy!
It doesn't take long for me to find it once I start looking. I am getting constant reminders of the joy around me. It's in the friends and family that have surrounded us during this time. I've gotten messages, cards, phone calls, and surprises throughout the last few weeks and they have kept me going. I know that God is holding me up by using the love of those around me. Without that, I wouldn't be able to handle anything. I've been so touched by the ways people have shown up in my life to help me through this time. My employers have been awesome, the people from the churches I'm a part of in some way have all been so thoughtful in so many ways, family and friends have reached out, and so many people who loved my dad have shared stories with me.
Today was the visitation. We had pictures of my dad all around, a video of pictures of my dad, and family and friends coming to pay their respects to my dad. So many wonderful memories were in that room today! What joy those memories were filled with! I saw people I hadn't seen in forever and people I see all the time. I got to hear stories of my dad and hear how loved he was.
Tomorrow, we will have a celebration of his life. My sister and I have tried to make it a time to honor our dad and share the love we had for him with the people that will be there. I am counting on joy being a part of our day.
I can't guarantee that there won't be tears tomorrow. In fact, I can pretty much guarantee that there will be tears. (Hopefully, I will get through speaking with a minimal amount of tears.) I know that there will be days ahead that will be really hard. But, I am grateful for the people in my life who I can count on to help me through those times.
So, where was God today? He was in the people who were a part of today, showing love for my dad and for me. And, he's been in the people around me the last few weeks helping me get through the hard days.
Blessings,
Jennifer
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