Joyful Ruins

Written in 2021:

Is there a line we cross

a veil lifted

for those who mourn

like we suddenly live in a different world

than others?

For those who truly

feel their pain

Have they stepped into

a place familiar to

those who move on?

Are we ever meant to “move on”

to ignore the reality of this

world’s brokenness

To slap a band-aid on our hurts

And walk around ignoring the bleeding

or is there a different way?

A way to acknowledge the pain is real

and ongoing

while choosing life

No, to acknowledge that life is pain

and living will hurt

AND life is beautiful

AND living will bring joy

So is there a line we cross over

for those who are living this reality?

A line which the Savior crossed

again and again

He wept

And He resurrected

He healed

and He had compassion

He was gentle

AND He cleared the temple courts

He was obedient

AND He sweat blood

He died on the cross

and He rose again

but even in His resurrected body

His wounds remained

His scars identified who He was

Could it be that blessed

are the poor

and the sick

and the sad, the meek, the peacemakers

is the crossing over a line

when our suffering

brings us closer to who Jesus is

not stronger or more attractive

not more successful or tough

but meek, poor, mournful

AND kind, compassionate, hopeful

The world may look upon the hurting

and tell them to suck it up

to dull their pain

with work and platitudes

but Jesus never says those things

And Jesus did not do those things

He held both pain and hope

in His hands

and when we

face that same truth

holding both

that’s a different way

to live