Years ago, when I moved to Nashville, Shay and I bought our first house. It was in a sweet little subdivision. All of the houses were hugged pretty close together and our front yard was about the size of a postage stamp. But we were thrilled just to have some grass of our own. It was the kind of neighborhood that had little playgrounds sprinkled around every few streets and you’d see kids out playing all the time.
Despite the excitement of having a place all our own, we were still in the stages of figuring out marriage and a baby and a pretty tough schedule. I talk often about this season because it was basically every major life transition wrapped up in a few months time. I had quit my job and moved cities. We were newly married and this homeowner thing was brand new, too. Shay was on the road touring heavily. Which meant I was home alone with our newborn. No help. No sleep. No family around.. I was recovering from a c-section and was in a deep state of postpartum depression. I dropped weight I didn’t really have to lose. I had no appetite. And I hardly had energy to carry the baby in his carseat to even get him in the car. I only went out if we needed groceries, anyway. Otherwise, I hardly left our house. I would lay in floor next to our tiny little guy with the curtains closed and the lights off. The days seemed to roll into each other. Shay would come home on Sunday afternoons or evenings and leave again on Tuesday nights. Monday’s were pretty much the only full days Shay was home and he often spent them sleeping in to catch up on rest. Road life is a hard life for anyone.. And while he was in survival mode on the road, I was left struggling on the home-front feeling incredibly isolated and alone.
I’ve never forgotten how I felt in that season and how her words and actions impacted my heart. I know it sounds trivial..and in the grand scheme, it absolutely is. But…I’m a believer that there are lessons to be learned from all of life’s seasons. So today, I guess my encouragement isn’t anything too deep or profound. But simply a reminder. Matthew 7:12 “Do to others whatever you would like them to do to you..” Shay and I have recalled this story several times through the years and I always go back to the fact that she was likely facing battles we knew nothing about. But I didn’t want to repay the harsh words with words of my own. I also didn’t feel obligated to explain my depression or my sense of overwhelm and helplessness at the time. And truth be told, I’m not sure it would have mattered anyway. I remembered that quote about how everyone you meet has battles that you know nothing about. And so, today, I’ll leave you with that reminder too. It can be easy to get swept up in feelings and in self…but occasionally, if you look up, you’ll notice you aren’t alone. The world is a big broken place. Full of heartache, grief, loss, rejection, and pain. You just never know what season people are in. And you just never know how your words can either lift their hearts or deepen their hurt. Today, I pray you’ll give grace. Even if it isn’t what you feel like doing. Even if it isn’t deserved. There was man who gave His life to fill our gaps with grace. To cover our sins and to bring hope to this broken place we call home. So.. it’s the very least we can do. I love you, sweet friends. And I pray this reminder finds you right where you are…
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