Sometimes things happen, at seemingly, the most inconvenient time.
This week, we found ourselves celebrating a milestone birthday with one child, while one of our beloved family pets had difficulty and needed to be put down.
While I admit, hearing this sounds terrible, it ended up being a wonderful growth and bonding opportunity for the entire family. Because of these events we had a rare opportunity to see the bitter and the sweet collide.
For weeks, we have been excitedly planning and anticipating our daughter’s 18th birthday! We planned the dinner menu, gifts, and decorations. Everyone was so excited. Then to top it off our cat went into labor with her kittens. We thought the timing was fun and were so excited!
After a day we realized that something wasn’t right. I’ll save the details, but just say that we knew things weren’t going to end well our beloved family pet.
We kept thinking about the upcoming birthday and I kept asking God, “Please let this resolve quickly for our daughter’s sake.” Then I heard Him…in that still, small voice that you could miss if you’re not careful.
He began to speak to me about how we shouldn’t try to insulate our children from all of life’s troubles, rather it was very important for us to walk through troubles with them. He showed me how important it was for me to behave well and to be aware of the impact of my actions on them in this pivotal moment. As the mother I held the key. Especially, since my husband was out of town.
So, I began a dance of sorts. The dance of motherhood, being God’s daughter, and staying in coordination with my husband through all of this.
It was a group event that was happening…this walk through the bitter and sweet. It couldn’t be about me. It couldn’t be about any one person. It was about our family. It was sacred.
I kept asking God to be near. I kept looking for Him in every moment. That was the only way to navigate this successfully.
As it turns out, the death of the pet and our daughter’s big day coincided. Not what I’d wanted, but absolutely what God allowed to happen. On this side of things, I’m really grateful.
We sat down and discussed everything with the family. “Here’s what we’re going to do…we’re going to say goodbye to Olive and bury her, then we’re coming back inside and celebrating this birthday joyfully!”
And that’s just what we did!
We gave a space for grief then we embraced our love for our daughter and her life. Which definitely deserves celebration.
After dinner, I sat down and realized how content I felt inside. I was shocked. How could I feel so joyfully full and content inside after this crazy turn of events? Well, that’s what God does. He brings beauty from ashes. Turns our mourning into dancing. He is far too wonderful for words.
We ended the day feeling so settled and content as a family…and also, our bond seemed strengthened.
Now I am so extraordinarily grateful. I wouldn’t have wanted things to be any other way.
Here’s my encouragement for today…embrace exactly what God gives you. Seek His face in everything and learn. Learn to be strong. Learn to be near to Him. Learn to grow. Learn to trust. Never stop learning. Teach yourself to correctly focus in all circumstances. That’s where we find joy. Unstoppable joy.
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy, that I might sing praises to You and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give You thanks forever! Psalm 30:11-12
To all who mourn in Israel, He will give a crown of beauty for ashes, a joyous blessing instead of mourning, festive praise instead of despair. In their righteousness, they will be like great oaks that the Lord has planted for His own glory. Isaiah 61:3
365 Days in the Presence 