Beauty From Ashes…
September 10, 1994.
Today would have marked 32 years of marriage.
Some dates carry meaning, even after life has changed. I don’t want to ignore this day as though it were nothing, but I also don’t share it from a place of being stuck in the past. I share it because it was part of my story and because I know others may be carrying meaningful dates, unexpected endings, and complicated emotions of their own.
I think about the life and all the exciting moments my late husband missed; kids' graduations, celebrations and milestones. Life doesn’t always unfold the way we expect, but God is faithful in every chapter. In our spiritual walk, sometimes God says "yes" and sometimes, He says "no." And sometimes, we may never understand why. While I would not have chosen this path, I’ve learned that God doesn’t waste our pain. He can bring beauty and purpose, even from chapters we never would have written ourselves.
I’m especially grateful for the gifts my late husband left this side of heaven; our children. They are most beautiful and greatest blessings of my life. Watching them thrive is a joy.
God has used my experiences to give me purpose to encourage others, serve, and walk alongside those navigating their own unexpected endings. Not because I am a "hero" or the poster child for grief, certainly not. I do not have every answer, but I do it because I understand what it means to keep moving forward with faith.
Today, I’m simply honoring a meaningful date, acknowledging how far God has brought me, and offering encouragement to anyone else carrying a day like this.
Sometimes God changes the path we thought we were walking and reveals a purpose we could not see before. My children and I have grown in ways we might not have otherwise. Today they are young adults flourishing and living lives of service to the greater good.
Beauty for ashes. Purpose from pain. And grace for the journey.
Comments