Accept and Rest

I am the person who first looks for the grace, the positives, the possibilities. I am blessed by that approach to life. But, I am learning I need to acknowledge the realities of life as well.

I will push forward, long and hard. I will put one foot in front of the other, even when it hurts. I will ignore the pain and press on. Until, I can no longer do that. Then I need to accept and rest.

Lately I've been accepting, amid the tears, that life is so so hard. It takes a lot of acceptance to get there. Because, I love life, I believe in it, I embrace it and all it offers. For some time, and probably for a long time ahead I have to own how hard life is. Can I say it sucks? Can I say it's not fair? Can I say I'm tired of the pain of grief? I own this even in the midst of a thousand other blessings. 

It takes a strength I'm still building, and a faith I'm still growing. It takes tears I'm tired of holding in. Yet, in all the pain, the questions, the longing there is hope. For I know the sharp edge of this part of life will soften with time. If I can find this hope, I know you can to. 

So when the weight of life is heavy, accept and rest. When the road is all up hill, accept and rest. Accept the help that is available, and rest. When the tears come, let them and rest. When small acts of kindness ease your way, accept with joy and rest in that. When you don't know all the answers, accept and rest. Own it, accept it, release it. What feels like it will never end is part of the beginning. Call it growth, call it grace...own it, it's yours.