Since I found them, my birth family has given me much joy. Not every adopted child who searches out birth family finds the fairy tale ending of the journey. I am truly blessed with mine. In August, I spent ten days with my half-sisters.
While we were together, we watched the first edition of the old movie, “The Very Exotic Marigold Hotel”. The owner/front desk man, every so often says, “If you haven’t found joy, you’re not at the end yet.” Mystic, Julian of Norwich, said it this way, “All shall be well, and all shall be well, and all manner of things will be well.” The Bible tells us, “Sing your hearts out to God! Thank God. God gets angry once in a while, but across a lifetime there is only love. The nights of crying your eyes out give way to days of laughter.” (Psalm 30:5 The Message) One of my favorite writers, Madeline L’Engle says , “We can trust God for the happy ending.”
Any of us who have enjoyed church suppers know that after the main course we need to keep our fork for dessert. Regardless of how wonderful the main course has been, the best is yet to come.
It’s not easy to trust God for the happy ending. I believe that every day, God gives us glimpses, tastes of the joy that is yet to come in our next life. On days that darkness seems to have taken over our world we have to intentionally open our hearts and minds to the beauty that surrounds us
As we were travelling home from our sisters’ holiday, I was aware of the end of this time with my precious sisters. It was hard to let go of that sadness and see the beauty of the rock cuts in northern Ontario, to look back at the joy of the last ten days. It required effort to give thanks for the lakes and rivers that flew by my window, and to appreciate the smooth highway that allowed me to type these words.
My life is full of miracles. From the miracle of my wonderful family, including my three half-sisters and my adopted sister Anne, to the miracle of Tom’s love, God has blessed me with forgiveness and love every day. Always, I have so much. Still it’s easy to forget. Busyness, worry, grief, physical pain can push us to ask, “Are we there yet God? Are you sure, there’s anything that will be better? Can we trust you God, for that ‘happy ending to our life?”
Today, in the midst of whatever is weighing down your soul, I remind you to open your eyes to God’s glimpses of joy. Let go of yourself and whatever is controlling your mind. Rest in God’s beautiful creation. Rest in the wonder of the bounty that surrounds you. Rest in God’s love. Remember you are God’s precious child, and give thanks.
Yes, it’s hard. Do it anyway. Those glimpses of God’s Joy are there, even in the midst of pain and grief. Remember and believe, the best is yet to come. You haven’t reached the end Y E T.