I am linking up for the Five Minute Friday. The FMF is hosted by Kate Motaung on her blog Heading Home. Today’s prompt is “Weary.” Write for five minutes; unedited.
Sometimes the word prompt hits me straight in the gut and heart, this week is one of those weeks were the word describes exactly how I have been feeling this week.
I am weary, friends! I am weary of so many around me being diagnosed with cancer. I am weary after October and Write 31 Days. I am weary of the world around me; full of such darkness and pain. I am just simply weary.
This week has been especially weary for myself and so many who love my friend Laura especially her daughters. Laura and I met at Wartburg Theological Seminary. She was one of the senior class presidents when I began at WTS. From day one, she was one of the most welcoming and gracious people in my life. She blessed my life in so many ways and I am so thankful to have been touched by her love and friendship.
Laura lost her husband Rod to cancer 11 years ago this month. And Laura has been battling sarcoma cancer for the last several years. Rod and Laura have two daughters. Last Friday, Laura was taken to the emergency room where they found a 4 cm mass on her brain. Yesterday they updated her Care pages and shared how the cancer has spread. As a family, Laura’s daughters and the rest of her family made the decision to move her into hospice care. Laura transitioned to hospice care today. And my friends, my heart continues to be weary…weary for Laura and Rod’s daughters who will lose two parents to cancer. My heart is weary…weary from shedding tears for this dear friend. My heart is breaking and it just doesn’t seem fair.
*And I know my friend, her family and all those who have been touched by her love and friendship and more are weary too. I know we cannot make sense of any of this right now. We, Laura’s mat-carriers are weary, but we will continue to pray for her. I also am reminded of Jesus’ own words “Come to me, all of you who are weary and carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest!”
I know that rest will come soon. But for now, I am clinging to the promises of hope found in the birth of our Savior who comes as light in the midst of darkness, hope in the midst of sadness and so much more. As we soon prepare for Advent and the coming of this holy child, I find myself quietly singing these words from the song “O Holy Night”; “A thrill of hope; the weary world rejoices. For yonder breaks a new and glorious morn. Fall on your knees! O hear the angel voices! O night divine, the night when Christ was born; O night, O Holy night, O night divine.”
God knows that we are weary and sent God’s son into the world for each and every one of us. And for that we can trust in God’s love for each of us and know that in due time….
Our weary world rejoices! (Rejoices that pain and crying and death will be no more)
*This is where my five minutes ended. As you can tell, this word prompt hit home for me this week.
Oh Tara how I feel your pain! I feel the EXACT same way this week. I'm so thankful for my God to cling to…to trust that He does know best because those doubts, those doubts like to be heard! Praying for you tonight, and your friend Laura and her daughters. May God's peace surround you!
Your FMF neighbor.
Thanks Carol! I too am so thankful for my God to cling to too. Thank you for praying for Laura and her daughters and for me.
Oh my, I am at a loss of words, but praying for everyone especially those two girls!!
Thanks so much, Miranda!!
Tara,
oh that song! And oh how I hate sarcoma. I lost a dear dear young woman a year ago to Osteosarcoma. She kicked its butt, and then it came back. It is something I hope will be cured, but sometimes there are no words. Just the presence of a mighty God that holds us while we grieve.
Beautiful post tonight!
Love,
Tammy
(in honor of Friday the 13th, I'm at #13 this week! Whee!)
Ha, I'm really at number 12. Whoops!
Tammy, I rather dislike sarcoma too. I too hope and pray for the day that sarcoma will be cured. Also God knew what God was doing when God crossed our paths. The light in the midst of this is that you share a story of sarcoma with someone you care about too. Yep, no words…that is what I have been feeling…only tears! Thank You!
You hang in there, Tara. Cancer sucks. Praying for Laura, and for you.
#2 atFMF this week –
http://blessed-are-the-pure-of-heart.blogspot.com/2015/11/your-dying-spouse-82-not-weary-at-all.html
Andrew, I am hanging in there. And yes, cancer does suck. Thanks for the prayers. They are so greatly appreciated!
Oh friend… I love you… and that song? That is – without hesitation or doubt, my FAVORITE Christmas Song. You know me and favorites… but that one is a no brainer for me and much of the reason for it is that line… oh how a weary world rejoices! Praying for you and for your friend!
Oh friend….I love you too! That is one of my fave lines ever too. Thanks for the prayers. They are so greatly appreciated!
We live in a weary world. Thank God he appears to us on earth and in heaven. I'm so sorry for you and your friends. I wonder the Cancer plot line in the faith journey as well. I have a button to touch on my car visor for a 30something friend of mine battling brain cancer as well. I have others who have cancer too…friends, family members, etc. We are at the children's hospital this month, and I see children and parents in pain and so weary too. We do this faith thing because God helps strengthen us daily with glimmers of grace. Keep loving, jenn
Jennifer, yes, we do live in a weary world. And I am so thankful for those glimmers of grace that strengthen us daily.
Tara – I am SO sorry. Caring and compassion like you are experiencing take energy – you ARE weary. I pray that God lend you and your friend and family supernatural strength and comfort to face the days ahead. What a beautiful song to have on your lips and in your thoughts these days – this weary world does rejoice at our Savior – there IS ALWAYS hope. Peace to you, friend, and hugs.
Thanks, Janet! Thank you so much for the prayers. They are so greatly appreciated. There is indeed ALWAYS hope. Peace to you too friend and hugs!
I am so sorry to hear about your friend. I was praying for you and your the family last night during the Twitter party. It's times like these where all we can say is "cancer sucks". I think it's okay to admit that. But it will come a point in our lives where we will no longer be weary. Blessings to you dear friend.
Thanks Sam. Yep "Cancer sucks" for sure. Blessings to you too. And thank you so much for praying.
Oh Tara, my heart hurts for you, knowing also how much pain and suffering you've already been led through. Praying for you and Laura and her family. May the Lord carry you through this hard, hard journey and may you feel His Wings sheltering you, as you walk beside those you love, grieving for both yourself and them.
BTW that carol was one of my Mum's favourites: a few months before she passed away, we sung it together, with tears streaming down our face. He knows, He feels, He aches, He will hold us and He will make everything beautiful and whole again. Hugs from afar.
Anna, thank you. The prayers mean a lot. And thank you for sharing that story about that carol. Such a beautiful memory. Hugs to you as well.
The words from O Holy Night are so welcome. Thank-you.
You're welcome!
Tara, I am truly sorry about your friend. It's beyond difficult to watch one we care about walk through something like cancer. I'm praying for you and Laura and her daughters today.
"O Holy Night" is my favorite Christmas carol. I love how you applied it here.
And, I love your blog's new look. 🙂
Jeanne, thank you. The prayers mean the world. And thanks…I rather love the new look too!
Great minds… This song immediately came to my mind, too when I saw the prompt. Prayers for you & your friends during this season. That you may have energy to love and support them, that Christ gives you more strength than imagined.
Annie
annierim.wordpress.com
Annie, funny how we often are led in similar directions. Thanks for the prayers. They are so greatly appreciated and mean the world.
Tara, I'm with you. I'm weary of the diagnoses of cancer in this world, and I'm sorry to hear about your friend. My heart meets yours today, as I ache in understanding and grieve for all who know your friend. I'm lifting you all in prayer. I wish I could extend a hug personally to you today! I'm thankful for the truth of Matthew 11:28. Thank you for blessing me with the song, too. I love the hope you offer in this post… the weary world rejoices. Amen, Tara. Amen! Much love to you.
Yes, so weary of those cancer diagnoses. Thanks for the prayers. They help so much and are so greatly appreciated. I too am thankful for the truth of Matthew 11:28. One day we will be able to hug InRL. Much love to you too friend!
Loving and caring often feels weary and this is just heartbreaking, Tara. I'm so sorry for your friend and for all of those who love her. What a beautiful song to reflect on in the midst of such sorrow. I'm sure you will be a comfort to her and her daughters.
Thank You, Debby!
Our Saviour came to a world made weary in the waiting. And He comes still to all who need His tender touch. Tara, it's little wonder you feel weary and heavy burdened. It's a heavy load to carry as we support loved one though their darkest hours. It's a hard and painful calling. May you and all who love your friend be lifted into the Saviour's arms as you trust Him for the peace and rest which only He can provide. Praying for you. Blessings and love. Xx
Yes, so true. Thanks for the prayers. Blessings and love to you too!
Oh sweetheart! My heart hurts for your pain at your friends diagnosis and the children of this precious woman. It's so hard to understand sometimes. Praying for your peace and for her and her family friend. Praise God we have a high priest that carries us through those weary days.
Thanks Christy! The prayers are greatly appreciated. And yes praise God that carries us through on those weary days.
What a tough situation for those poor girls! And for all of you involved in sweet Laura's life! I will be praying for all involved.
And my gosh, that song brings me to tears every single time.
Thanks Kadie.
tara, thanks for post. praying for you your friend and her children at this sad time. blessings.
Thanks Martha!
My heart feels for your weary soul. This world can be exhausting and all that we carry. thank you for sharing with us your burden. Praying God will lift you up and carry you and your friends during this time!
I knew I could count on all of you to pray and share the burden with me. Thanks for the prayers.
#66 today. Yes, I'm late. O Holy Night is my favorite Christmas song and yes, this world is weary and wearying. I think of your friend, and a couple I know, and Andrew and I just want to scream ENOUGH LORD ENOUGH. xo
Oh Susan, me too, me too!!
So sorry to hear about your friend, Tara. As much as we know that this world is not our home, it is so hard to see our loved ones battling. Praying for you my friend!
Thanks Melissa!
Sweet, sweet Tara. I love that you refer to yourself as Laura's "mat carrier." That right there is what true and lasting friendship looks like. May God comfort and renew you in your time of grief.
Laura calls us her "mat carriers" too! I love that image. And thank you..you're so right..it is a picture of true and lasting friendship.
So sad to hear about your friend, Tara. Praying for you and for Laura and her daughters. I love the link you made with "O Holy Night" and how even in the midst of such awful darkness there is hope because of Jesus.
Carly, thank you!
I know that word weary, may we never forget that holy night when light came into the world and shined so bright on darkness to give us hope. I have no words to describe what your friend's two daughters must be going through. And a mom, having to leave them. God knows. I claim a peace that passes understanding for their hearts and yours at this time. Thanks for sharing your heart.
Thanks Shanancy.
The line from the hymn you chose as the title really shows the only kind of hope that we have in the face of the darkness that this world shows us.
Amen!
"O Holy Night' is my absolute favorite Christmas song, Tara. No matter where I am when I hear it I always feel like I should do as the song says and fall on my knees in worship, thankfulness, and adoration of Christ. I long for the day that I see Him face-to-face. I will definitely be praying for your friend. It is just so hard to understand when these things happen, isn't it? Love ya!
Lynette
~#76 on linkup this week
It is one of my faves too. Thanks for the prayers. They are so greatly appreciated. It is so hard to understand when these things happen. Love ya too!
Tara, I am so sorry about your friend. These things are so hard, because we can't really make sense of them. But God knows. He knows our pain. He weeps with us. I pray that He will send comfort to you and to Laura and her family and friends. May you be blessed and find rest this week.
Thanks Gayl. They really don't make any sense at all. Your words made me think of Psalm 30:5 "Weeping may come for the night, but joy comes with the morning."