Strength

 Strength. By definition from a quick Google search online is 'the quality or state of being strong: capacity for exertion or endurance (Merriam-Webster).

Now, all this sounds great. But have you ever faced moments in life where you have definitely had to be strong? Who wants to know that its going to make you stronger. I mean, what benefit can you really gain from that? Who after all, wants to be strong to know that you are strong and strong alone for yourself? Have you thought about it? 

Like, I know. We are all surrounded by people who love us and care for us. Look at my life for an example. Daily, I am reminded by how much people care for me because of all the things that I've had to face which have been unfortunate. And I am indeed daily blessed. But you know what gets to me? This gets to me: strength. A strength in character. Now don't get me wrong. I think as a female, vulnerability makes us beautiful (heck, even the males out there, who hears me?). You know what I would love to hate to hear about? Strength. Exactly. Who really actually wants to know or think that in life, you have to be strong? And as in, we may be surrounded by heaps of people or even a few all around and yet, do you ever find yourself in moments for personal reasons having to have the strength to go through it? Like, God, didn't you ever think you could have chucked us a manual on this? Let me give you some common day daily examples of being strong. P.s Don't get depressed. Covid. We make ourselves do things to take care of our well being, yet are we really truly successful in finding that which makes us truly happy? or joyful in the midst of all of this? the least to say. Are we doing things to make things better? And why do we do things to make things better? Because we're all in search for true joy and happiness in life - and life with  hope for post pandemic at this point in time. Isn't that so? Or like well, doing things that contribute to the well being of all those around you. For example, cooking a communal meal. You have work to do, or other things that have to be done and getting that meal on the table, well sometimes, somebody's got to do it. And where do we get that inner capacity to do these things? Yeah, you heard me. Its strength isn't it? 

We dread this don't we? No one likes to have to be strong. More importantly, no one likes to have to be strong and to be strong alone. I know I don't like it. But do you know, that in most instances in our lives, we have all had to be strong, for ourselves. And in being that, we are then strong for those around us and its mutual. To take the pessimistic view, that it a sad unfortunate reality isn't it?

But I'm not here to make you depressed. You know what. I think you and I both wouldn't be who we are today had it not been for the things that have shaped us in strength to be the very strong creatures we already are. And of course I mean humans. =). I mean because of all that we have endured, today we can count life as a blessing. Don't you think so? Once upon a time, the things that made us sad, don't make us sad anymore. That is strength. The things that pushed us and challenged us to grow which was hard and difficult, we're no longer there anymore. We have been made strong because we endured, doing our math for example ;) Kidding. But you get what I mean. Endurance, is a strength in character. And today, all that shapes who you are is because you endured to gain strength in character. Does life get any easier? Who knows. But I think that would be entirely up to you in the end. If you're mature enough to understand what I am saying here then you would realise that you know what? Is it something to despise having to grow in strength at any point in time in life? Probably not. Without realising it, we're all growing in strength daily in our lives. But if you just stopped a moment, to realise how far you have come, where you're at, and where you're going without living anywhere else but in the present, you would probably realise that it is a beautiful life. That true joy and happiness does exist. That you can experience these things just by being grateful for the very journey you've had to go through and for the journey to come (and yes I do write to myself too). 

On a very personal note it has been during the most difficult moments in my life that the Lord has been so very close to me. And indeed He always is! 'I have never left you nor forsaken you' has been one particular scripture that He has constantly poured into my life for years now, believe it or not, even while I was ill. I know. I think that attests to His character. His goodness, His faithfulness, His love, His joy, His strength :) He comforts me. Indeed, He is my greatest blessing in this lifetime. I am blessed. 

Much love,

Mary Ruth =)