Life changes quickly.
On October 2nd, 2010, my grandmother had a stroke in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, all of our lives have been changed because of it. The grandmother I used to organize shoes and jewelry with is now constricted to watching television and eating meals. The grandmother who taught me how to sew, cook, and clean is now unable to do any of those. But as our family has accepted and adapted to these changes, our holidays have dramatically changed as well.
On October 2nd, 2010, my grandmother had a stroke in the middle of the night. Unfortunately, all of our lives have been changed because of it. The grandmother I used to organize shoes and jewelry with is now constricted to watching television and eating meals. The grandmother who taught me how to sew, cook, and clean is now unable to do any of those. But as our family has accepted and adapted to these changes, our holidays have dramatically changed as well.
Today, upon visiting my grandmother, we faced the disappointment of the wheelchair accessible van breaking earlier this morning. This meant that my grandma, who had been planning on going home, would no longer get to spend Easter with our whole family. You see, my grandma is VERY attached to her belongings. I believe it has to do with the fact that she grew up during the Depression Era. My grandma is known among our family and even her community as having anything and everything that anyone could ever need or want.
When she found out that she would not be able to go home today, she started listing off a few things that she wanted from home (along with their EXACT location-no joke). (That stroke has not affected her mind or memory at all!) She finally said, "I just feel so alienated from my home and stuff."This quote really stuck in my mind as the day progressed. When we finally made it to my grandparents' home, I reminisced on good memories involving the kitchen, her closet, the piano, games, and the BASEMENT.
But truthfully, I feel alienated many times in my life. I try and remember that this earth and life is just my "temporary home" (thank you Carrie Underwood). I have accepted that I don't always fit in. My faith alienates me from my closet friends at school. My academic failures differentiate me from the rigor of IB. Being the youngest by far alienates me from my siblings and parents. These struggles prove that this life is not perfect. I am comforted in knowing that this is NOT my one shot at glory nor is it my eternal destination.
But more appropriately, Jesus must have felt extremely alienated on an earth of sin, death, sickness, strokes, cancer, decisions, and failure. Regardless of this, He lived, died, and lives again in our hearts and minds. It's easy for me to get depressed just thinking about all the sorrows in my life, in the lives of my friends, in the world and even in the lives of my enemies. Look at today. It was raining and storming ALL day. What could be a better example of how this world is filled with trials and tribulations that overcome me! Luckily, I have the hope and joy that Jesus has risen from the dead. He has overcome sin and sorrow and death and sickness. Daily, He helps me overcome sadness, strokes, pain, deadlines, assignments, and stresses.
“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.” John 16:33Happy Easter!
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