When Ordinary Turns To Tragedy

I enjoy lazy and routine days.  Ordinary days usually involve hanging out with my boys.  These days they play outside for hours with their friends while I read emails, scan through social media, cook dinner or even coupon.  I usually crave ordinary routines because my days seem more normal when the mundane happens.  Wake up, exercise, take the kids to school, work, eat lunch…you get the idea.

Lately, our world has seemed anything but ordinary.

You are navigating through life and somehow a disruption appears in your day.  It can be as simple as a flat tire or newly painted nails with chipped polish (I HATE that).  Your disruption can also be as insurmountable as rushing a loved one to a hospital because of tight chest pains or hearing the words, "He didn't make it" as the doctor tells you the fate of your college age son that was just in a car accident.

What had been ordinary all of a sudden thrusts you into a season of a "new normal".  If you have ever lost someone that is close to you, you realize just how FINAL that is.  You don't get a second chance to say good bye. Even though their clothes are still in the closest hanging, just as they did before they left the house.  You hope to receive another phone call or see them running into the house again, but with death "it" never happens again.

How do you manage when ordinary turns to tragedy?

Honestly, I don't know that anyone knows the answer to this question.  You just get through it.  For those of us fortunate to be living an "ordinary" day, we must learn to be intentional with every moment.  Don't put off tomorrow what you can do today.  We never know what is around the corner for any of us.  Those that are dealing with tragedy were in the middle of ordinary and then their day experienced an abrupt change.

Cherish time with your family.  Put away those technical devices and listen.  Be engaged in the activity and lives of your kids, family and friends.  Passionately contribute to your organization, your dream or entrepreneurial business.

Work while it is day because a time is soon coming when no man will be able to work.  

I just talked with a woman a few weeks ago who struggles to slow down.  Her hands and mind are constantly racing to complete the next project or task.  But as we know, there is always more to do.  Is life ever really complete?  When I spoke with her she said, "I won't rest until I die…then it will be an eternal rest for me."

Find Balance - Choose a Hobby

We need to find balance between work and rest.  Find something that allows your thoughts to focus your energy not just in one place.  If work is the center of your existence, then a bad day at work leads to a bad day at home.  Take a Zumba fitness class, build model airplanes, learn to play golf, volunteer,  join a book club.  The idea is to do something just for YOU.  This will enable you to then have other sources of inspiration.  It will provide the perfect harmony between work and rest.

Ordinary turning to tragedy causes us to feel a myriad of emotions.  Anger, hurt, confusion, insecurity, violation, fear and sadness just to name a few.  We are instantly faced with pulling on strength we didn't know we possessed.

God rarely uses someone who hasn't dealt with tragedy or suffering.  

The initial pain hurts like hell, but as you put one foot in front of the other you realize, you can make it! There are no words that can free you from pain of losing a loved one or discovering a rare illness. You just have to manage through it.

PAIN HAS PURPOSE, so in those moments of anger and confusion realize there is a larger plan that you can't see.  God's plan is not to give you all the details of His plan. Focus all your mental energy in a positive direction. Don't be mad at those that are trying to encourage you.  They just want to support you.  Even in the darkest pit of despair, it is possible to have peace.

If today wasn't good, remember God still is!

I was encouraged this past weekend listening to the parents of the Sandy Hook tragedy. A year ago their ordinary turned to tragedy.  As a parent, burying your child at the age of five or six would spiral most into an utter depression.  "Why get off the ground when the world around you is spinning, so I stayed on the ground for six months."

These parents were able to speak about their journey and also the path that has been revealed as they fight for stronger gun laws and increased safety in schools (their pain had purpose).  The purpose of the pain was larger than just their family.

Whatever you are facing be encouraged by others that are survivors.  You are not alone.  Leave us a comment and let us know if there is any way we can pray for you.  God hasn't abandoned you and loves you with an unconditional love. (Posted by Roslyn)

We've heard the saying, "When it rains it pours.  Declare a new mantra, "When it pours, He reigns".  

"...When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire, you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. Do not be afraid, for I am with you." Isaiah 43:1-5