“Leave room for the unexpected.” ~ Sue Bender, Plain and Simple Wisdom
Surprised by Joy
Surprised by Joy by C.S. Lewis is the story of his journey to belief in God. Though he experienced inexplicable joy at the end of his road of discovery, his story was full of tears, doubt and discouragement along the way; much like ours.
I think stories like his serve as encouragement for us; that no matter how dark the mourning period can be, that doesn’t negate the fact that there can and will be moments of joy along the way.
Preoccupied With Grief
I don’t think I have talked with one woman who didn’t act at least a bit out of the norm during her divorce saga. And most of us act way out of the norm.
But when we become too preoccupied with our own intense emotions and acting crazy (yes.. we all do it at some point along with recovery journey,) we are likely to miss those surprises of joy.
Good Surprises
One summer morning in the midst of my divorce, I was on the front porch of my house with my coffee, and a light bulb went off in my head about some previously unnoticed, but obvious, spiritual truth. Then suddenly in the soft morning sun, the most beautiful butterfly came and gently sat right on the top of my book. It was a breathtaking, unexpected gift that still encourages me to this day.
It seems like most of the good surprises in life come when we are consistently doing our best to do our best. When we are calmly, surely, quietly going about the business of learning to trust God and accept the new changes in front of us.
It is when we are expectantly seeking our new selves that we are absolutely blown away unexpectedly by some amazing delight of life. Today, let’s just live so that there is room for an incredibly beautiful experience to happen upon us.
“Sing to the Lord, for he has done wonderful things … for great is the Holy one of Israel, who lives among you.” ~ Isaiah 12:5a;6b (NIV)
I’m 2 years into a separation . People are always telling me I should be over it by now , that’s a long time , but not to my heart. To be its like it was just a few months ago. I still have days that I cry all days but have to hide it from my family. I had a good husband! We were married 25 yrs. I was so shocked and hurt when he left that I considered suicide as a way out. I don’t know what happened! If there was another woman I never have heard anything about it. It’s like his whole personility changed.
I’m so thankful for your website. It’s like you’re reading my mind. Thank you