Rough season

In the next few days, we will celebrate:

1. Father's Day
2. Katie's 6th birthday
3. The beginning of our family: mine and Steve's 17th anniversary
4. Cooper's 10th birthday

Lots of folks talk about "firsts" being difficult. And they were. But I'm not convinced that "seconds" are any easier.

A few friends and I are studying the Old Testament book of Ruth this summer, using a study guide by Kelly Minter. One of last week's lessons focused on weeping forward vs. weeping backward. When Ruth chose to follow Naomi to Bethlehem, she was weeping forward, moving forward, leaving behind her people and the comfort she had known for an unknown, possibly uncomfortable life -- but she was following God's call. Orpah (not Oprah, as I often read/write), on the other hand, was weeping backward, retreating to the comfort of her own people, ignoring God's call.

Minter writes, "Be encouraged. God sees your tears. Cry them, wipe them, feel them, but don't let them stop you. It's possible to cry and walk."

One of my prayers during this rough season is that I'm able to weep forward.

Keep alert, stand firm in your faith, be courageous, be strong. 
Let all that you do be done in love. 

(1 Corinthians 16:13-14)