Purple Morning Rain
This past year, 2014, has been harder than most. My father died in February and things came undone. But, if it’s possible, 2013 was even worse. What I’ve been through is probably exactly what you’ve been through in your life. The most personal stories are also the most universal. Lies and betrayal. Sickness and death. Rejection and isolation.
Things come unraveled for everyone. Pain and suffering do not make us special or unique. It’s gratitude, wild and aimless under a tree with no blossoms, that counts. Will you let the fire you’re walking through refine you? Skim the dross from the surface of your life? Shine back to the world something simple, tender, and holy?
Morning Rain
I have always wanted to tell you about the depths of my despair so I can show you my view from the mountaintop. It is more beautiful than ever. So many things, so many people, so much love and so much pain carried me here. From this vantage point, I can hear the laughter spilling out across the Oklahoma prairie.
I can feel the earth tremble
Beneath the rumbling of the buffalo hooves
And the fury in the pheasant’s wings
And there’s fury in a pheasant’s wings
It tells me the Lord is in His temple
And there is still a faith that can make the mountains move
And a love that can make the heavens ring (Rich Mullins, Calling Out Your Name)
I enjoy sharing demographics and research about Generations X, Y, and Z. Baby Boomers and Silents, too. We’re all in this together, weaving history that future generations will try to unravel and examine. What did our living really mean and how did it matter? I love memoirs and nostalgia, but what I know best is hope and redemption; mercy, and grace.
In the dark morning rain, I take my son to McDonalds for pancakes and sausage and those glorious folded eggs. How I love them.
He asks me why I take pictures of people I don’t know and I tell him because I’m trying to figure things out.
Figure what out he says and I tell him just life. I’m trying to understand her life because she has touched my day.
This, by the way, is why I tip bigger when the service is bad. I’ve been sent to offer mercy, which I’ve needed so many times myself.
You’re the faithful one When my world’s falling apart So let Your mercy rain Let Your mercy rain on us Let it rain
Such a beautiful blog entry. I always think of the quote that gets attributed to different people, “Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a great battle.” So true – especially the girl, tired on her feet, working for minimum wage at a fast food restaurant. We should all be especially kind to that girl. The rain pics are so beautiful I felt like I was walking through an art museum when I looked at them. Lots of love to you, Jen. Here’s to good things, and enough sleep (at least some nights) and answered prayers, and unexpected little joys all throughout 2015.
I think of you all the time too, Jen – wondering sometimes where you are in the process your day during Central time while I am going through the work of my day in Pacific time. I hope this ends up being the year we get to meet in person – imagine the stories we will swap! I had tried to comment on your blog in the later part of last year and there was some glitch so that my comments weren’t showing up – I’m glad to see it’s working again so I can comment some more this year. More soon!
Here’s wishing you and your family at better 2015. Thank you for your writings. The mid-life is the hardest part. It gets better.
Such a magical moment where you use your lows to appreciate the highs even more. That’s beautiful. You’re beautiful. Honesty breeds such an amazing state of connection. I love you, friend. XO
I love this, things coming undone is more common that some think it is.
“I’ve been sent to offer mercy, which I’ve needed so many times myself”
This slays me. Thank you for offering your heart.
I take solace in the fact that we are not alone in our darkest moments. I also never for one second ever believe that things won’t get better, even if they get a little worse before they get any better. It is what we do in those darkest moments that define our character. I also enjoy sharing a little brightness with others in the form of an extra tip, a donation, a meal. Everybody can use a little sunshine.
Heart breakingly beautiful. The gratitude that’s hardest to muster ALWAYS ends up being the most powerful. I love how much you love those folded eggs too. xoxo
Jen,
You always have a way of summing up so eloquently what I am thinking/feeling/experiencing at the time. This post is no different. Thanks for sharing. The photos are beautiful.
— J