Week 4: Grateful in the Hard, Because God Doesn’t Waste Pain
Gratitude isn’t always a natural response to hardship. It’s easier to be thankful when life is peaceful, predictable, and full of blessings we can clearly see. But in the middle of suffering—when the future feels foggy and the weight of grief is heavy—it’s a lot harder to find reasons to be grateful.
And yet, looking back, some of my deepest growth has come from those hardest seasons.
Grief, illness, and the long road of single parenting after loss have shaped me in ways I never expected. They’ve brought me to the end of myself again and again—and led me straight into God’s presence. I’ve seen His comfort in new ways, learned to depend on Him more fully, and discovered a deeper compassion for others who are hurting.
Read more...Week 3: Grateful for the People God Placed Around Me
I don’t know how I would have made it through those early days of grief without the people God placed around me.
Some were close friends who knew exactly what to say—and what not to say. Some were quiet helpers who brought meals or folded laundry without expecting anything in return. Others prayed from a distance or sent a simple text that said, “I’m thinking of you today.” Each one was a lifeline.
Grief has a way of making you feel isolated, even when you're surrounded by people. But God, in His kindness, kept sending people who reminded me I wasn’t alone. Sometimes it was a listening ear. Sometimes it was someone just sitting with me in silence. Sometimes it was someone taking my kids, so I could have some time to myself. These simple, beautiful acts were deeply healing.
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