The Fierce Capacity to Endure

I write this post in the middle of the most bizarre week of the year. Those unique days after Christmas when time seems to freeze and we all collectively catch our breath from the holiday rush. No one knows what day it is or how to find motivation to do much of anything.

But it's also an invitation to be more alone with our thoughts. We often get reflective as we look back on the year and look ahead at what might be next. For some of you, this year was fantastic. I don't hear many people claiming this posture, but there are certainly those riding a wave of excitement. It was a difficult year for our family as we continue to look for ways to support one of our kids whose struggles with autism and mental illness escalated dramatically this year. You might have recently endured your own challenges. It's not hard to find something to grieve as we look around at the world right now.

The psychologist and author Dr. Benjamin Hardy said “When you start moving forward it changes your memory of the past.” That's the gift that the end of the calendar brings. It's like going to bed after a tough day and acknowledging things aren't going to be much better without a good night's sleep.

And then the morning comes.

Dr. Hardy's perspective rings true as I reflect on painful seasons in my life. Moving forward is often an act of defiance. When things look bleak or overwhelming, we choose hope, often despite the reality in front of us. And it is in the moving forward that the memories take on a new shape. The scars don't go away, but they stop bleeding when you touch them.

I'm excited to begin the year with a Communion event on January 8th. I'll have my friend Jonathan Foster with me from out of state. I did a podcast with Jonathan as we looked at his journey with God, especially after losing his daughter. You can hear his perspective in episode seven of Cabernet and Pray (see: audio or video links below). 

He recently released a new book called Indigo: The Color of Grief (see: Amazon link). Here is one of my favorite phrases from the book:

i think love's victory

is in its fierce capacity

to endure during

great resistance

Grieve whatever hurt you this past year. But keep moving forward.

For those of you in Arizona who might be interested in attending the event, here is the link to reserve your spot.

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Photo by Pierre Bamin on Unsplash