September Digest: a time to weep a time to laugh

September has flown by too quickly. It's been a month of joys and grief, a mixture of experiences ranging from weddings to funerals, hellos and goodbyes. Some friends are staying locally, and others are in other countries, other cities, starting new chapters in their careers. It's this experience of the constant running "train" of life. While everything seems the same, reality is that things are always progressing when you look outward.

Chris and Grace's wedding was definitely a memorable moment of this month. It might have actually been one wedding that I was genuinely encouraged. It was such a beautiful time to not only celebrate their covenant together, but also a time to reflect on Christ's covenant with us, the church. Like a bride looking at her groom, must we the church gaze at our savior. It was refreshing, and it was such a great time of worship!

The stark contrast of wedding to funeral has left me thinking about the many situations and the rapid pace of life. Weddings and funerals have the same contents in general, just with different vibes. There's the gathering of loved ones and a formal ceremony/service. It was an interesting thing to see how situations will continue to change. At one point, loved ones will come to witness a covenant, and another for remembrance of a life. What will take place from post-wedding to make the funeral ceremony a time of celebration versus a time of regret? Just some random thoughts that left me to be all the more intentional on how I spend my time each day.

Grief is another topic on my mind this past month from sermons/work/stories/funeral. Grief not only pertains to big things like the death of a loved one, but it may be "little griefs" and "little losses". Maybe it is the grief that things didn't go as planned, grief over wishful hopes that didn't come into fruition. Lately I've felt a greater grief over my patients, much more than I remember having as a student. Perhaps it's a new sensitivity, or maybe from deeper responsibilities over my patients? Initially, I hated the fact that these little losses were burdening me. The sad circumstances often occupied my mind even outside of work. But I'm slowly learning that grief too can be a blessing. It presents the opportunity for one to humbly hope by faith. It seems that in grief comes humility. There's realization of the true dependency of God that has always been present, just never noticed. It's challenging me to trust in God's sovereignty when it is hard to comprehend why things are the way they are. For example, why children suffer ailments, grow up in abusive homes, or have poor prognoses. I'm challenged to believe in His goodness spelled out in his Word, and hope fully for His final restoration.

Anyhow, besides that, super excited about the new album released by Shane & Shane. It's good, like always. Voices and harmonies like butter. Felt that this song is appropriate to this post!