Theres More To The Story



I love writing. To me, that's not something I say lightly because to be honest, it never came naturally. I mean I used to write stories as a kid all the time in my red spiral notebook with probably four dozen lined pages, but I didn't excel in school in this particular subject. Deep inside me theres a passion to share stories, connect with people, and be a friend. My hope is that you'll always feel that kind of bond here as I share my heart, my story, and my friendship. You'll continually find a seat at my table for you, friend.

Now, I read something this morning that really struck a chord. Let me start by asking you a question. Have you experienced a situation in your life that didn't seem all that good? Ohhhh yeah, me too. I'm sure I couldn't count how many times that's happened to me, but truth is, it happens to all of us.

Whats yours?

For me, it was two years ago. I was home that warm August afternoon. Probably anticipating the arrival of all and maybe enjoying something pumpkin spiced because theres two things you should know about me. I adore fall and I'm a total homebody. Now I can't remember what I was doing in those moments, but I still recall the quiet that filled the air as my husband shuffled through our not so silent door. Can I tell you why it wasn't so silent? We had a little Christmas bell on it from the year before. Yup, the year before. Ask me why and I really couldn't tell you. It just had never made it down into that "Christmas Decor" box we keep in our basement.

The look on his face as he walked in the door left me puzzled. It's as if he had met an unfriendly guy named shame moments before we locked eyes. Like he had a meeting with pure disappointment and a hard trip with reality. The utter sorrow that filled his face couldn't be missed. I've known my husband, Brandon for almost an entire decade now and that's a face that I rarely ever saw.

"Whats wrong?", I asked as my heart quickly filled with total anxiety. In a story like this, I want to say I instantly wrapped my arms around him in comfort and everything was better because maybe some road rage was boiling on the inside from a recent experience and surely that would be fine, but that wasn't the happy ending.  There's more to the story.

The next four words shook me. Shook me because it was a total shock. 'I lost my job' he uttered under his breath. It came as a surprise to both of us. So unexpected. So sudden. So surreal. Like it couldn't actually happen to the hardworking, authentic, good guy I was married to. It just can't, but it did.
A thousand and one scenarios and worries scattered across my active mind mainly trying to process what not only happened, but what was going to happen. What life would look like next as we adventured into the unfamiliar. As we transition into a season of change. Change is traumatic whether good or bad. It's a new experience and sometimes new experience means your heart has to catch up to what's actually happening. And that's where we stood.

What are we going to do? Will we be able to financially stay afloat? Is my husband going to be okay? How could this even happen? We just moved here. What is going on? These were just a few of the thoughts that stole my joy, my peace, and my security with four simple words.

Fast forward two months and you'll find Brandon standing before one of the best opportunities he's yet to receive. A new routine and a new experience that seems fitting for a guy like him. And in the process of those eight weeks of prayer, eight weeks of uncertainty, and eight weeks of waiting, my favorite ending to the story is this:
Sometimes God closes one door so a new one can open.

There was a purpose even when we couldn't see, answer, or understand why. A life situation that didn't seem all that good in those moments, but turned out far better than we could have imagined.

I don't know what your story looks like right now or what you may be walking through, but my biggest desire is that this brings you hope. Hope in knowing that even when life looks uncertain, everything will work out. Even when you can't wrap your head around that thing that happened to you, you'll find peace that better is coming. When you question why life looks different than you anticipated, cling to this simply truth: there's always more to the story. It's time to turn the page and start your next chapter.

0 comments