The image I’ve chosen for today’s post is almost an exact replica of what I’m viewing outside my window this morning. The words that are attached to it, are indicative of what I’m feeling this morning. When you’re waiting for news that will change your life and of those around you, you can become engulfed in a fog – a dimly lit sky – that closes in on you. We pray for inner strength to get through these times. We ask why. We wonder what the next step will be. We cry. We hold tight to each other for strength. We rely on friends and family. We say we trust in God, but then question His purpose. We cry some more.

Comfort comes for a little while, but that fog closes in again the next day and the next. Life is so precious to us. We hang onto it without realizing something much better is waiting beyond. Words of comfort are given. “Trust in the Lord. Lay your burdens upon Him. Don’t give up. Be strong. You are loved.” All of those words often become second nature when we don’t know what to say to someone longing for the courage to endure. These are well intentioned words, of course. They are common phrases, designed to help, and they do for a while. Then truth reveals itself and more words are needed.

As I walk this journey with the love of my life, I can’t imagine not having him in it. I know that life is fragile. I know that aging is a signal for the end of it. I realize that God has a perfect place waiting for us beyond the grave and still I feel this emptiness in the pit of my stomach when I try to wrap my brain around it all. My strength falters so I must rely on God’s. I pray that He will guide us through this part of our journey together and help us to grow even tighter because of it.