A Beautiful Burden

“They were on their way up to Jerusalem, with Jesus leading the way, and the disciples were astonished, while those who followed were afraid. Again he took the twelve aside and told them what was going to happen to him. “We are going up to Jerusalem,” he said, “and the Son of Man will be delivered over to the chief priests and the teachers of the law. They will condemn him to death and will hand him over to the Gentiles, who will mock him and spit on him, flog him and kill him. Three days later he will rise.” ~Mark 10:32-34

Have you ever felt like you are following behind, afraid? 

Have you felt like Jesus took you aside and told you what would happen so you can be prepared? 

I have felt both. In some situations afraid of what would happen and in other situations having the awareness that Jesus is always ahead of me and orchestrating everything for my good. 

One example of this was on Ash Wednesday morning. It was a beautiful bright day, and I was excited to start a new study with a great speaker, Lisa Harper, of “How Much More - Discovering God’s Extravagant Love in Unexpected Places.” I was so looking forward to this study to see what God would do through it in preparation for Easter. 

As we were starting, I got a text that one of my friends I have known from church had passed away. I tried to keep my composure, but as I looked around the room, my heart instantly felt heavy, and I couldn’t hold it together any longer. It was such a surprise, and I couldn’t contain the tears. I was quickly embraced by a sweet friend and received encouraging words throughout the day. 

Through this experience, I got a deeper understanding of our mortality. Death is imminent, and losses can make us feel emotionally broken, but we can look forward with hope that Easter is coming despite our brokenness. 

I can’t imagine how the disciples felt knowing that their Master would soon be beaten and killed. Were they able to grasp the concept of being raised back to life again? 

I wonder how they could maintain their composure when they knew how brutal His death would be. But there was nothing they could do about it. How were they able to contain their fears of inadequacy and hide their emotions of losing Him?

There have been many different types of losses during the Pandemic, and we will continue to have them, for this is part of life. I cherish a note a kind friend gave me to comfort me. It read, “When you love others, it is a beautiful burden.” I agree with this. We are not exempt from losses, but when we see grief as a beautiful burden, it lightens the weight it has on us. 

 

I am so blessed to have strong, courageous, resilient women around me whom I look up to, whom I count on for emotional support. Sometimes we don’t realize the importance a community of faith makes in our lives. When we are feeling fearful or going through struggles, we need others to come alongside us and support us. 

 

I know a lot of women who have said, "If it wasn’t for my faith in God and my community, I don’t know where I would be.” I encourage you to get connected to a study or a small group where others come alongside you, or you come alongside others. Difficult situations don’t feel as hard when we have each other. 

 

On Ash Wednesday, I was honored and blessed to do the sign of the cross on those who came to the gathering that night. This experience was tender as I repeated, “From ashes you came to ashes you shall return” to all those who came forward. It was a reminder that our time here on earth is temporary, and one day we will stand face to face with God. 

 

It brings me comfort to know we are all beautifully broken and exposed to be broken again and again when we love others. Jesus loved and cared for His disciples, and He prepared them for what was to come. It was because He loved them that it was worth going through. Everything was complete when He rose on Easter Sunday! 

 

Meanwhile, we continue to love despite our grief and during difficult times for we know that it will be all worth it when we see our loved ones again and when we see Jesus face to face when He calls us to His Presence. 

 

Blessings,

Grimelda Sanchez 

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