Bent not Broken…

John and I used to love to drive up the coast to Cambria as often as we could. I would walk on the beach while he settled in on the hotel patio with a Diet Coke. At the very beginning of my first walk in Cambria, I saw a tree bent away from the ocean. Someone had removed a few of the bottom branches so they could build the boardwalk beneath it. Today, we walkers can enjoy the surrounding beauty of that tree, ocean and sky.

I took so many photographs of that tree on many of our vacations. One day, while shopping in the galleries in the town, we discovered a painting of my favorite tree. John said I had to have it! Of course, I quickly agreed, and it has been over our fireplace for years.

This special tree, bent from wind, rain and storms, reminds me of resilience and perseverance no matter what comes. That tree was battered to the point that it grew away from the wind and ocean. But it didn’t break. Not only did it not break, it is so very beautiful.

Even while grieving, we will face new pains and hurts. A few times this year, I actually thought I might break. I feel a little bent, for sure, but I have made it through new struggles and hurts. I owe my resilience to Jesus Christ, who has been with me for every step of my journey. I’m grateful for the beautiful women in my grief group, where we carry each other’s burdens. And I’m thankful for old and new friends, family and my Celebrate Recovery at Saddleback.

Galatians 6:2, “Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way, you will fulfill the law of Christ.”

Can you share a burden with a friend today?