Someone asked me last week “what’s been the hardest part of your Jubilee,” and I thought to myself, “what Jubilee? This has been the month from Hell.”
So at this point you’re probably wondering – is the Jubilee over? In spite of all my grousing and bitter complaining I am forced to admit that I am so thankful, so very, very grateful! The worse my son and his wife had to suffer was a loss of earthly possessions. The generosity of friends, family and total strangers (as well as a good insurance policy) have made them whole again except for a few lost mementos. And in the midst of a slow, slow economic recovery the aforementioned bureaucrats have insured my continued employment. And as it turns out my sweet husband found us a new apartment with almost twice the square footage and a beautiful three tiered garden patio.
We have survived the storms. So why am I complaining?
A close friend of mine lost an adult son to a drug overdose after a long and painful struggle with mental illness and addiction. In a conversation with him recently he reminisced about the too short relationship with a beautiful but conflicted child. He remarked, “Life is bittersweet, but the sweet is so very sweet!” Is it? Is the sweet still sweet after unspeakable grief, disappointment and loss? If the answer is yes it is the miracle of grace, amazing grace!
When I take a moment to set down my petty annoyances and frustrations my heart can’t help but sing with joy. The sweet is so very sweet!
