When God’s Presence Outshines the Absence

I realize I have already written a post to share our thanks and gratitude. I wrote it soon after the amazing fundraiser was held in Mike and my time of need. It’s been a couple of weeks now and I have had a little more time to reflect and really wrap my head around all of it.

Life has a way of testing us when we least expect it. Recently, I’ve found myself navigating one of the most challenging chapters of my life, a time filled with uncertainty, emotional weight, and moments where even breathing feels heavy. Mike’s illnesses have been a tough thing to deal with for many years, but presently, the uncertainty and the probability of death has elevated the emotions, stress and sadness to a whole new level. In the midst of the storm, something beautiful has happened, people have showed up. Not necessarily the ones we expected, but the ones we needed. 

I want to take another moment to thank those who’ve checked in, who’ve sent a text just to say, “I’m thinking of you,” who have offered help without being asked, and those who have helped when we did ask. The multitude of prayers and those who worked so hard on putting together the fundraiser to help us to afford the repairs needed to make our home safe and accessible for Mike’s new and developing needs. Thank you to the local businesses, church family, friends, family and, strangers who donated baskets and raffles and those who donated monetary gifts. Your kindness has been a lifeline, and your presence, whether near or far, has reminded me that we are not alone.

What has surprised me though, is the silence from some of the people I thought would be there. People I believed would be part of my support system didn’t show up in the way I thought they might or in any way at all. It wasn’t just acquaintances or distant connections, it was some of my closest family members and friends whose absence stung the most. I thought this was a time when those ties would hold strongest, but many stayed silent or stayed away. At first, their absence felt like another blow, I questioned why people I love didn’t reach out, and wrestled with disappointment and hurt. As the days have passed, I have realized that expecting others to step up in the way we would for them, isn’t really fair, especially when they may be facing their own battles. Nobody really knows what people are feeling, thinking or going through.

What this time has taught me is that support doesn’t always come from the loudest voices or the closest relationships. Sometimes, it comes from the quiet gestures of those we least expect and, that is where I’ve found the deepest gratitude.

To those who stood beside us, again, thank you. You may never know how much your support has meant, and to those who couldn’t, I hold no anger, just understanding for whatever has kept you away.

Hard times reveal truths, about life, about people, and about ourselves. Times like these can be very eye opening. Although in the midst of the struggles and uncertainty we are facing, the hurt we have felt by the absence of our own expectations has only added to stress, but only for a moment because the blessings have far out weighed the hurt.

“Let God have all the sadness you feel;

He knows how to turn it into joy.” — St. John Vianney

Hand over your disappointment to God, he specializes in turning our pain into praise.

“Be thankful in all circumstances,

for this is God’s will for you who belong to Christ Jesus.”

— 1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NLT)

Thankfulness transcends our circumstances, Gratitude rises above

our present situations, embodying an attitude of faith in God’s larger plan.