Everything changes
I love the musical “Waitress,” and especially the penultimate song, “Everything Changes.” It’s at a moment in the show where the protagonist, Jenna, realizes that so many of the things she thought were permanent (the hard things in her life, her fears, her disappointments) fade away in the light of new life.
Some of my favorite lyrics:
What I thought was so permanent fades
In the blink of an eye, there's a new life in front of my face
And I know in due time
Every right thing will find its right place
One of the wildest parts about being human is the temptation to believe that the emotion we’re feeling *right now* is one we’re going to feel forever - especially if it’s a hard one. Grief, heartbreak, longing, disappointment, loneliness; these feelings can make us feel like we’re so far from ourselves. But the sun always rises. The light streams in, and we forget the darkness we felt even hours before.
Even one week ago, I was feeling so exhausted by being in a new city, on an intense project, away from my friends and family. I craved home - I wanted to get back to “my life” so badly.
But… the Lord provides.
Today, walking to work, I felt a twinge of sadness: in six weeks, I’ll be leaving. “Lord, why do You do this!!” I cried out in my heart. “You lead me to uncertain situations, and then you reveal the beauty within them, and I fall in love with them, and then I have to leave them!”
But isn’t that just the experience of a life of grace? The Lord leads the Israelites to the desert, they cry out, and he provides food and a way forward for them. I LOVED Fr. Mike’s homily this week: God is the God of dead ends. He always shows up, even when it feels like we will never overcome whatever circumstance we’re sitting in.
You may be floating on air right now, astounded at the Lord’s visible goodness and abundance in your life. Or maybe, you’re barely staying afloat. Wherever you are, I pray that you might see how He’s working in this situation, right now.
Last week, a new friend I made here looked at me and said, “You are exactly where you’re supposed to be.” Of course, I teared up. Maybe that’s what you need to hear right now: you’re exactly where God needs, wants, and desires for you to be. It’s here that He can provide - not in some unknown future, not in the past, not anywhere but where your two feet are right now.
One of the readings last week quoted a beautiful verse from Isaiah:
For the LORD comforts his people
and shows mercy to his afflicted.
But Zion said, “The LORD has forsaken me;
my Lord has forgotten me.”
Can a mother forget her infant,
be without tenderness for the child of her womb?
Even should she forget,
I will never forget you.
See, upon the palms of my hands I have engraved you…
Isaiah 49:14-16
Can a mother forget her infant? The Lord never, ever forgets us. I pray that these words bring you the consolation they’ve brought me as I’ve returned to them over the past few weeks.
Please pray for me, and know of my prayers for you, especially as we enter into Holy Week so soon!
In Christ,
Jane
What I’m loving lately
The beach + tourist times, continued
I got to spend Saturday AND Sunday at two of Sydney’s most beautiful beaches. I think I may have been a mermaid in another life because, wow, I don’t know when I’m happier than when I’m in an ocean. (Okay, maybe in Adoration). Since arriving here, all I have wanted to do is swim in the ocean and this weekend I got to do that so many times! God is goooood.
My brother is here!
My little brother Matthew arrived in Sydney last week and I was able to see him briefly on Thursday when he arrived, and then again yesterday when he joined my team for dinner! It’s so sweet to have him here!
The value of exercise
Last week a friend reminded me how important it is to move (especially when you don’t have time… kind of like how praying is even more important when you’re busy!) So last week I got up early and went for a run every morning. It completely turned my week around. If you’re struggling to exercise, like I have been, here’s a reminder to get out there for a clearer and more energized day!
Prayer intentions
A friend going through a difficult time
For my parents’ 31st anniversary tomorrow!
For two friends with birthdays this week (hi Katie and Delaney! Yay!)
For a prayerful and grace-filled Holy Week