Last Saturday was one of the best days ever. Riley and I made a big brunch of scrambled eggs, bacon, toast, coffee, and mimosas. We took a long walk in the gorgeous spring weather–it was only 69 degrees! In late May! In Texas! So blissful. We lounged on the couch together and chatted for hours. We did laundry and cleaned up our house. We grilled burgers for dinner and ate them with BBQ chips and fresh watermelon. We opened the windows and aired out our home. For dessert, we sat together on the patio under a blanket and ate ice cream. I laughed so hard I cried multiple times. I don’t have a single photo to share; it was just a low-key, casual Saturday. We did nothing and ate everything and it was perfect.
A couple of years ago, a day like this would have flown completely under the radar for me. But on Saturday night, I fell asleep feeling like the luckiest girl in the world. This trying time of life has made me frustrated and exhausted, yes, but it has also humbled me into someone who deeply appreciates little moments of joy, like a simple happy Saturday. When life is “sunshine and rainbows,” this kind of thing is not at all noteworthy–it’s almost boring. But when life is hard, eating ice cream with Riley through laughter on the porch is the most amazing joy in the world.
This post is meant to be a small dose of encouragement: There is much to learn through difficult seasons.
I think the mark of a strong woman is someone who says, This is tough, and I don’t want to go through it, but I will allow myself to grow through the difficulty and learn through the sadness. I refuse to become hard-hearted; instead I will allow this hardship to soften my compassion and awaken my empathy. I won’t be wrecked by this trial, I’ll learn instead.
If you’re the Bible-reading type, you’ll know that God uses life’s trials and difficulties to refine and teach his people over and over and over again. In fact, I can hardly think of a single man or woman in the Bible whose faith journey doesn’t revolve around hardship.
My heart is deeply grateful for our perfect little Saturday–those hours of joy allowed me to recognize one of the many lessons I’m learning in life at present: there is profound beauty in the slow and simple. I’m not a victim, I’m a student. Right now, I’m learning lessons that cannot be taught in textbooks; these are lessons that must be taught through experience. As this post’s title suggests, we must let hard things teach us.
// I really look forward to hearing about your experiences. What are you learning through life right now? What is God teaching you through the season you’re in? How have your dark days shaped and taught you?
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Hi Leah! Thank you for following along–I’m glad you took the time today to comment. I was encouraged by your journey and outlook. It’s beautiful to hear how this trying time has softened you instead of hardened you. I absolutely agree with your thoughts and viewpoint on not necessarily wanting the path you’ve walked, but also not wishing it never happened. That’s such an important marker of personal growth. Thanks again for your thoughtful comment. Sending you lots of support. xo
Thanks for this, Blair! I’ve been thinking of this lately – how instead of shutting down during hard times, I need to push through and grow. Reminds me of Proverbs 24:20 – If you do nothing in a difficult time, your strength is limited. That verse always hits me.
I just got married in December and while marriage has been great, the past 5 months have been hard – figuring out this new season, and learning to be content in my own personal journey, instead of comparing it to others’, figuring out my own convictions, etc.
Though I don’t feel I’m much wiser by any means, I would say that I have learned a lot about relying on God, accepting where He has placed me even when it makes me feel like less than other people, and that He is always with me even in my seasons of doubt and confusion!
Someone commented on Facebook (on a post that linked to this blog post) that one of her friends always says “Don’t waste pain!” I have tossed that around in my mind countless times in the past few days. Such a hard, refining truth. I know how hard those early newlywed days are very well. (I talk a lot about this in the Q&A video I’m publishing on Friday…thanks for your question!) All the very best to you, Madeleine. We can get through these hard times and come out stronger! xoxo
Just felt like i should comment on this post. Ive had a really fun and really busy summerand have just been so caught up with it all and dreading school in the fall. Recently I realized that I just need to trust God bc he is sovereign and knows best.
I found your site by doing a search on Google about “finding my tribe.” My whole life changed in the past 1-2 years – like really changed. From dating to family to work to everything – even friends. Here’s the weird part that I’m realizing reading your blog posts (which are SUPER helpful by the way 🙂 ), I feel like God is guiding me to make a change with doors of “no.” Don’t go there, don’t do this, don’t do that. I’m such a creature of habit, maybe that’s why it all feels like a loss….I’m not seeing the gain and opportunity before me to find a life that’s more aligned with where I am right now? Curious about your thoughts.