I understand and ache for all the brokenness and sadness in our world. From my vantage point I know I don’t truly understand the pain, but I wish I could heal it.
I also understand many people are hurting with deep personal wounds. In our small corners we are called to comfort.
With the bombardment of bad news and so many causes seeking our attention, we can forget that goodness ultimately wins.
Part of my Irish soul has a tendency to wait for the other shoe to drop. Unchecked, it can steal the joy of the moment. I also know we Irish can look at life and sometimes be crying and laughing almost at the same time. Irish wakes are a great tribute to this fact, for in the middle of all the loss there is also great joy and love for life.
We need to smile more. We need to laugh more. We need to be thankful more.
Brighten your corner.
In the words of the traditional Irish ode of farewell The Parting Glass, “Goodnight and joy be with you all.”
Peace,
Ruth V
it is ok to be happy and yes we can feel guilty and they are even those that will guilt us for it...but the laughter and the smiles. wilkl do so much more to brighten the dark places....nicely said....
ReplyDeleteWhat a perfect message to send joy love and laughter -- instead of gloom and doom, which I can get my fill if I watch the news. Lovely poem,
ReplyDeleteCheers,
Joanny
Such inspiration here....thank you! :-)
ReplyDeleteWise words. Parting Glass is a favorite in our family.
ReplyDeleteI quite agree with you. If God gives us happy moments, who are we to reject them by feeling guilty? They are given to keep us going in the midst of the darker, troubled times.
ReplyDeleteI'm reminded of a C.S. Lewis quote about suffering:
"We are never safe, but we have plenty of fun, and some ecstasy.... Our father refreshes us on the journey with some pleasant inns, but will never encourage us to mistake them for home." (Excerpt from "The Problem of Pain," C.S. Lewis.)
ruth, you and leslie have been teaching me this week--and how i need it, with the 'guilt' of moving into a lovely home, and wondering, is this okay? is it okay to be this happy? and being reassured yes, so long as we use our blessings to bless others. ruth, you so encourage me... i hope you know that, friend. i cannot wait to meet you someday. love to you, em.
ReplyDeleteSo very very true. Hold the good moments close and appreciate them just as they are.
ReplyDelete