Tuesday, June 3

Trying To Resurface

It has been a while since I last posted. Honestly, I am still very unsure of what to say. So I am just going to say what is on my mind. It has been almost 10 months since the breaking of my engagement and still I find myself struggling with my life day in and day out. Just when I think I have a hold on things and a hold on myself something else happens to knock me back down. Recently I reached an all time low! I find myself in the bottom of the pit of despair. So far in the bottom of the pit that I couldn't see any light. I had/have lost all sense of who I am. The events that have taken place in my life have almost completely destroyed my personality, self confidence, self worth, strength, and erased the smile that I used to wear so often. However, I am beginning to realize that this person that I have become is not the person that I want to be. I know that some where buried in the rubble of my broken heart is a strong, fun, loving, witty, and nurturing woman. I am working on finding her!

Being the song bird that I am, most of the time I find such great encouragement through music. So of course I am going to share a couple of songs that have spoken to me over the last few weeks. Two Saturday mornings ago I was in my bedroom at my new house getting ready for the day. I had my iPod on shuffle and suddenly a song began to play. I had been struggling all week with letting go completely of a man that had been in my life for nearly 8 years. The words of this song really put it in perspective for me.

"Trying To Find A Reason" ~Martina McBride

No love can survive for long like this
When you're standing on a bridge that's always burnin'
Maybe it's just time to walk away
If you're tryin' to find a reason to stay

I don't know how long this pain will last
All I know is it can't go on forever
Isn't this just pointless anyway
If you're tryin' to find a reason to stay

It's hard to admit it, what we know inside
We've tried everything, everything but goodbye
Say goodbye

If you're heart has nothing left to give
And your world feels like it's just stop turnin'
Maybe that says all there is to say
If you're tryin' to find a reason to stay

Maybe it's just time to walk away
If you're tryin to find a reason to stay.

The words of that song made so much sense to me. For so long I had been holding onto something that I needed to let go of. I didn't want to but the time had come and there was nothing left for me to do. I still struggle with the letting go every day. It's so hard and there are days when I feel like my world has been shattered. I am trying to be strong and I know that as the days pass my strength will continue to increase and my heart will continue to mend. I want so much to be the person that I used to be. To be the sister, daughter, aunt, and friend that loves life and everything about it. As I was typing this post which now probably looks like a book, I received an email from my Mom. She too has been a constant source of strength and encouragement my entire life. The email said this:

'To get something you never had, you have to do something you never did.' When God takes something from your grasp, He's not punishing you, but merely opening your hands to receive something better. Concentrate on this sentence.....'The will of God will never take you where the Grace of God will not protect you.'

I know in my heart how very true those statements are. Which brings me to my last thought and song. A friend burned a cd for me a while back. Of course as I was scanning the songs one jumped out at me. I suppose whoever wrote this song was talking to a friend but I took at as a song that we as God's children could sing to Him. I especially felt this song in the depths of my heart. Chills came over my body as I listened because I knew that God was there with me, holding my hand, guiding me in the direction that he would have me go in life. Although I don't always understand His ways......"His ways are not our own." Another great friend of mine said to me a while back "Karen, you have the most beautiful smile I have ever seen in my life. You light up a room each time you smile." It felt good to hear those words then and I want to find that smile again. Okay, so here is the final song. Thank you for allowing me to share my heart with you today. I covet your prayers during this time in my life.

"Footprints In The Sand" ~ Leona Lewis

You walked with me, footprints in the sand
And helped me understand where I'm going
You walked with me when I was all alone
With so much unknown along the way
Then I heard you say

I promise you I'm always there
When you're heart is filled with sorrow and despair
I'll carry you when you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand

I see my life flash across the sky
So many times have I been so afraid
And just when I have thought I've lost my way
You give me strength to carry on
That's when I heard you say

I promise you, I'm always there
When you're heart is filled with sorrow and despair
I'll carry you when you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand

When I'm weary, well, I know you'll be there
And I can feel you when you say

I promise you, I'm always there
When your heart is filled sadness and despair
I'll carry you when you need a friend
You'll find my footprints in the sand

To my family-thank you so much for surrounding me with your love and support and for not giving up on me or allowing me to give up on myself. Thank you for your constant prayers and your loving ways of lifting me up. Thank you for holding me in your arms and wiping each tear. Each of you have such a hold on my heart in your own way and I cherish your love and the relationships that we have with each other.

To my friends- Elaine, Nina, Janelle, Nicki, Kristi, and Shannon. You girls are the best friends anyone could ask for. Thank you for listening with open ears and open hearts. Thank you for putting up with my shouting matches and my crying fests. Thank you for your words and hugs of encouragement. Most of all thank you for what each of you brings to my life!!


9 comments:

Technonana said...

You WILL MAKE IT, SWEETIE!!! JUST HOLD ON TO JESUS, BABY!!!

ValleyGirl said...

Oh, Karen, you know you have my prayers. I guessed you were having a rough time lately ~ you've been so quiet in cyberspace lately. I'm so glad to hear YOU are still in there somewhere, even amongst the rubble, and that slowly but surely, you're emerging to rebuild.

Susanne said...

Welcome back, Precious!!! This was an awesome post...so real, and so raw. Don't you just love the wonderful ways that our Savior chooses to speak to us?? He loves you...He is the ONE TRUE LOVER OF YOUR SOUL. He loves you most, and knows you best. Keep that heart turned toward Him. He is our healer!! and HE ALONE will mend your precious little broken heart.
I love you, and I am here....

Betsy Jackson said...

I love you and will always be here for you!

Sheryl said...

Ok, I don't know if this will make any sense, but...I just found your sister's blog which then led me here. I looked at your picture and thought "oh, no way am I going to read this, that girl is WAY too pretty". Oh yea, I'm shallow.

Now, that that's out of the way. I love your heart in this post. I cannot say I know what YOU feel but my husband of 17 years has left and I understand the feeling of your heart breaking. You will be in my prayers. (even if you are too pretty)
-Sheryl

Paula (SweetPea) said...

OMGosh, Karen. I can't believe of the many things I'm reading. I don't recall how I found your site. SO many things we have in common. 11 months ago my husband left for unbibilical reasons, reasons that were most definitely reconcilable through God. However, he was deceived by Satan and still is being. He is a Christian and I believe one day his Lord will speak His Truth to him. Anyway, the divorce was final in Nov. 07.

Much of the feelings you are experiencing, I have experienced through this devastating divorce. I've at times felt completely destroyed and worthless. My heart lost it's cheer and jump. I had a major breakthrough Memorial weekend. With a devastating encounter with my beloved came a beautiful spiritual breakthrough with me and my Lord. Though, I stand in the gap believing for my marriage to be restored based on God's Word and for my beloved to be fully restored to his Lord, I have completely released my hand of my beloved. I walked away from the encounter two weeks ago devasted and thinking it truly was impossible. However, within hours, the Lord restored my belief in His power to restore us. I do not have faith or belief in my beloved but I do in my Lord. He raised the dead, parted the sea, created the earth, put man to sleep to remove a rib and create woman! He can do ALL THINGS.

Remember this, impossible odds lead to amazing miracles.

I want to also say that I would encourage you to come to my blog and read as much as you have time but I think maybe the post titled "Donkey and Dirt, Huh?" would encourage you.

"Pity Party" would be a good one for you also.

"Why God? Why?" may encourage you.

"His Day" might give you a new focus.

"Do You: Trust or Worry" might also help.

"Fire A Blazin" might help you see purpose in your trial.

Also, I was struck when you mentioned His ways not being our own. You'll love my blog title.

You'll also notice that most of those statements sent to you by your mom are on my side bar under Godly Aphorisms.

We've not been in the exact situations. Your relationship was longer than my marriage. But oh how blessed you are to be saved from a divorce. I don't know the reasons behind the end of your relationship but trust the Lord was sparing you for some reason or from something. It's so much better to end a relationship than to end a marriage. The pain and all the emotions that come with it. Not to mention the biblically ramifications and trying to understand one's future after a divorce.

I hope to see you soon. I truly pray that you will find blessing and encouragement in many of the posts I've written. I do not say that in boasting but knowing and believing in God's power within me to write words of encouragement that HE provides to me.
In His Grasp,
Paula

momsi/Nonni said...

Karen, I haven't read any of your posts before, but I know God brought me here tonight. I think of you and your sweet family and want you to know I have and will pray for you. You reall do have a beautiful SMILE and as I tell my children ; God did not give it to you for you to keep. It was meant to minister to others. And, I know you do.I love your family.

Anonymous said...

Not sure how I got here... don't know the whole story...But I appreciate your willing to be open and be used of God... There are many others who need to know how God cares for us. Just know that I am praying for you.

Sheryl said...

well i'm back just checking in you. i've become a huge fan of your mom's and she's been a great encouragment to me. i continue to pray that God brings you what you need, when you need it.
-sheryl