It’s Five Minute Friday with Lisa-Jo Baker and the prompt is Exhale.
Wednesday was 18 years since we said both hello and goodbye to our daughter Courtney. It was bittersweet. If there is anything I’ve learned from life thus far, it is that the taste in my mouth is never consistent. However, learning to accept God’s will is the reward. After some time passes and I begin to see His perfect plan, then I can take a moment to exhale. It’s all about faith, which is believing in things unseen. (See Hebrews 11:1)
Everything we face here is a process. And process is usually accompanied by anxiety. It’s a time of waiting and figuring things out. While we are in process, we don’t see signs that say turn right or left. This is the number one reason my Bible is tattered and torn. Those thin pages have been cried upon with salt from pain, anger, and love so deep, that it would be incomprehensible for anyone but God to try to understand the heart of the girl who spends her time with eyes locked to the words written there. But it is His word which has kept me sane and enabled me to exhale with less fear and more of knowing He alone is in control.
My book, Nothing to Hold but Hope, released on Wednesday. The same day as, what would have been, Courtney’s 18th birthday. It is my story of the broken bits of bittersweet and sought after joy that comes in the morning through the mourning. It is a ministry tool. It is my heart.
I’ve learned that the bittersweet is what makes the art of our lives. The stories our hearts cry out in the smiles we give and the tears we produce is in some way, art. And it is that art which makes our lives beautiful, interesting, and provides tools to help equip others throughout their difficult moments. We can help others to exhale through their broken pieces with encouragement from our own journeys.
May you blessed today with hope. May you learn to acquire a taste for the bittersweet. May you find trust in the midst of the ache. And exhale…
Love,
Jennifer
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To find more information, visit the Nothing to Hold but Hope page on this blog.
Stopping by from the FMF link-up.
This is lovely, Jennifer. Just lovely. I have no other words than to say that you blessed me.
Thank you, Marie.
“the bittersweet is what makes the art of our lives.” Wow. What a story you have. I’m so glad I linked up after you at Lisa-Jo’s. Thank you for your words.
Thanks for reading, Charlie. Have a blessed weekend!
I’m a Courtney and I can only imagine the pain of losing your little Courtney. May the Lord bless you richly as Nothing But Hope is released!
Thank you, Courtney! I LOVE your name! Have a blessed weekend!
Oh, I so want to find trust in the midst of the ache. God’s Word gets me through each day too and we are so blessed to know Him and have Him right beside us. Blessed to be visiting you from FMF. Mary
Hi, Mary. Thanks so much for visiting! His word is always truth. Amen!
Hi Jennifer – ‘the bittersweet is what makes the art of our lives’. That’s such a challenging statement… and I must confess I too often spit the bittersweet right out, not seeing God at work in it. It really does require deep trust to embrace the trials in this way. I’m also so encouraged that you have found the strength you need through God’s word. Not everyone goes there with any real expectancy that they’ll find what they need. ‘how sweet your words taste to me; they are sweeter than honey’ Psalm 119.103
mmm … the bittersweet, the art, the hellos, the goodbyes.
and yes, the joy that peeks in at morning’s breath.
blessings, jennifer.
Wow! You write with such compassion. I’m so glad to know about your book. And thank-you for commenting in my blog. A FMF friend.
Oh my friend… you make so much art with your life! Love you so and I am praying big for this book -your heart – to reach out and make a difference for the Kingdom! To bring hope… and heal hearts!
“The bittersweet is what makes art in our lives”. Oh friend, this is key, isn’t it? Allowing God to use those hard and painful moments to really allow the art inside of us to shine. May this book set many captives free!
Jennifer, I finished your book this morning. There are no words. My heart ached with yours and rejoiced with your victory. Blessings to you and your sweet family.