Mountain Tops
I don’t know about you, but I love the mountain tops. I don’t love climbing to get there, but the view from the top is worth the effort. I have been contemplating what God’s vision is for my life. The trouble is: right now, I am on the climb up the mountain. I don’t have the vision from the top yet. As I was considering my vision, I discovered I have had quite a bit of loss in my life. I didn’t recognize it as loss when I was in the midst – except for the loss of a friend in the early 90’s and the loss of my Mom back in 2009 (see “Letting Go” dated February 29, 2012 about the experiences). But when I see the major life events in my life, it was usually a result of loss.
I have had a moment to step to the side of the mountain – a scenic overpass if you will, and look out. This is what I have discerned. I am in the midst of a paradigm shift. I have looked at the loss of loved ones, circumstances or things and have wept for them. The thing about loss is this, there is pain in the midst of it. However, once you get to the other side, there is usually something better in store. I have had to let go of many things, but I have gained something so much better than I would have dreamed possible. I still don’t know what better advantage I have with the death of my Mom, but I know God is showing me a new perspective on that as well.
I had a major life event early in my life. I was devastated. It turned my whole world upside down. We moved from my hometown when I was thirteen years old. I left behind two married sisters and a nephew. What I see from this perspective is a new life that came from that loss. When I was in the middle of the transition, it was the most difficult thing I had faced at the time. If we had stayed in my hometown, I would never have experienced all the things that I experienced in my new city. I went to college in my new city. I joined the women’s basketball team at that college. We experienced winning a national title my senior year. If we had not moved when I was thirteen, I wouldn’t have gone to that particular college – my life would have been totally different. Yes, loss is difficult. If I can focus on the good that will come from it instead of what I am losing, my paradigm shift will give praise and glory to God.
The loss can give freedom to experience something new. It’s time to turn the losses in life to the winning moments instead!
A woman giving birth to a child has pain because her time has come; but when her baby is born she forgets the anguish because of her joy that a child is born into the world. So with you: Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy. John 16:21-22
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