Wednesday, October 06, 2010

Everything Gets Better



"To be or not to be" isn’t the question. That’s already been decided. You are. And, once you are, you remain so. The question, instead, is, "Where?", with a follow-up of "How do I get there?"

"Where?" is all-important. You can decide to be or not to be in this world, but once you leave here, the choice of where you’ll spend eternity is out of your hands. Therefore, it’s best to decide, while you still have a chance, where you might like to go after this.

If you’re an atheist, you probably believe that the only choice you have in the matter is where you’ll be taking a dirt nap. You’re welcome to indulge in that dreary fantasy, if you like, but I prefer to believe that there are other options available aside from becoming worm food.

(By the way, I promised you a religious screed a short while back. In case you haven’t realized it yet, let me tell you: this is it. To be truthful, it’s not so much a screed as it is a gentle philosophy. However, feel free to call it a screed, a rant, or even Henry, if it will help you to enjoy it.)

So, "Where?" depends upon what you choose to believe. So does "How do I get there?"

Everything gets better.

That’s my firm belief. No matter what you’re going through now, or what has transpired in the past, or what you expect may happen in your future, everything gets better.

You get what you need.

This is another firm belief of mine. You may not realize it while it’s happening, and you may think you’re receiving something totally unnecessary and horrible, but whatever you get is what you need now or will need later. That which you think is a bother will likely turn out to be a boon. Conversely, what you desire with all of your heart is not necessarily good for you.

Everything gets better.

Of course, everything doesn’t continually get better. Life has ups and downs, and we have to experience the downs. Life will sometimes get worse. However, it will always get better following that. When I say that everything gets better, I mean that for every down you will sooner or later experience a comeback, a bettering of your situation. All you have to do is have faith and wait for it.

We’ll get around to the faith part of that proposition later. It's important. But, first...

You get what you need.

The eminent philosopher, Jagger, has espoused a similar theory (in partnership with his sometime co-theorist, Richards) but I'll present my own anecdotal evidence. This is only one of many examples from my own life, but it's the best I have to offer.

Throughout my teen years, and on into my twenties, I experimented with drugs. Really, though, 'experimented' is hardly the right word. Once is an experiment, and the second time might be useful as a possible attempt at replication of the initial results, but when you get into hundreds of repetitions you pretty much know the result before doing the experimenting. I don't want to call it 'abuse'; that has a negative connotation that shouldn't be attached to such an enjoyable activity. So, I'll still say, 'experimented', although it isn't quite correct.

During most of that time, I was involved in a dead-end relationship. I had some fun in the company of the woman with whom I was in the relationship, and she enjoyed much of her time with me, also, but we weren't truly suited for a life together. We fought, often, and had irreconcilable differences of opinion concerning issues of some weight, e.g., marriage. She wanted to get hitched, and I didn't. After a while, that became the major bone of contention between us, and every conversation sooner or later devolved into an argument concerning wedlock. Had we both been sober, we might have split up years earlier or killed each other. It was a toss-up.

One year, in December, she went to visit friends in Florida. I awaited her return which was scheduled for Christmas Eve. What I got, instead, was a letter, received two days before Christmas, telling me that she had fallen in love with someone in Florida and she was staying there.

I had been in this relationship for a long time and we had lived through some very monumental problems together. While it was no doubt best for us to pursue other avenues separately, it was akin to serious drug withdrawal for me. I was in shock, basically. I trudged around the streets mumbling, didn't eat, and more-or-less sunk into clinical depression. I got in touch with her and tried to effect a reconciliation - to no avail - and I even went so far as to pray to Saint Jude, the patron saint of lost causes.

The answer to my prayers came approximately one month later when I met MY (future) WIFE. She wasn't what I had prayed for, but she was what I needed. She was a better answer to my prayers than anything I had imagined or requested.

And my entire life has been that way. I've rarely gotten exactly what I prayed for, but I've always gotten exactly what I needed. It may not have come when I wanted it, but it came when I absolutely needed it. I wasn't always thankful when whatever it was came, but I have always found reason to be thankful later.

Your mileage may seem to vary, but I'm willing to bet that it doesn't in reality. If you've been the type to pray fervently, take a good hard look at your prayers and the answers you received to them. I'm willing to bet that few of them have been answered in the exact way you might have wanted, but I'll go double-or-nothing that most have resulted in you receiving something you needed.

If it doesn't appear that way, I contend that you're not viewing it correctly. However, let's say that you're right and you've never been given any answers. In that case, I'll ask you to rely on the more important part of what I'm telling you here.

Everything gets better.

No matter how bad things have become, they will get better. Following every instance in your life wherein you received bad news or found yourself in a dire situation, have you not come out the other end of the experience once again gaining some measure of happiness? Hasn't every down been followed by an up? If you'll honestly review your life, you'll see that it's so. Unless...

Are you down now? Are you despondent? Are you currently dealing with bad news? Then what I'm saying may appear to be bullshit. However, I ask you to seriously look back upon every bad time in your life and see where you were a bit later. Did you not recover from that bad time? Or has life been one unrelenting cesspool of hideous experiences? I rather doubt the latter has been the case. Keeping past successful escapes in mind will get you through the present misery. In any case, keep this advice in mind for now, and see what you think of it in a day or a week or a month. I'm sure you'll find that I'm right, that you experienced happiness again.

Everything gets better.

Now, you might think you have a topper for me. Here's a reasonable question...

"What about death, Jim? Isn't that the ultimate downer? You're not seriously trying to tell me that has an upside, are you?"

Well, yes, I am.

See, all of the above is predicated upon my rock-solid belief in Jesus Christ as my savior. Without such a belief, it IS all poppycock. Obviously, without a savior or an afterlife, death is the final insult. But, since I have a belief in Jesus, I know that even death gets better. I know that no matter how horrible my life becomes, it will ultimately lead to an eternity of better.

Everything gets better.

It does here on Earth, too, for the most part. All downs in your life will be followed by ups. Both will continue to happen. Death, the worst thing that can happen, will be followed by the best thing that can happen - IF you believe.

Your particular belief system, if it doesn't include Jesus Christ, may also lead you to the belief that all will get better eventually. If so, more power to you. I happen to believe that my belief is the only one that makes this truly work, but if your watercraft gains buoyancy via your opposite belief, I won't harsh your buzz. Well, except to tell you that you're dead wrong, and I do mean dead. Anyway, let's get back to Jesus.

Everything gets better.

If there is one overwhelming lesson in The Bible, it is that everything gets better. No matter what horrible and hideous things the Lord's people go through, the end result is always better.

Joseph has his coat stolen and he gets sold into slavery by his brothers? No sweat. He travels to Egypt, becomes a big man there, and finally saves the relatives who betrayed him.

Moses, as an infant, is set adrift on a river? Pshaw. He is found by royalty and becomes the man who leads his entire people out of slavery and despair.

Job loses all of his wealth and is covered in boils? No biggie. He's okie-dokie by the end of the tale. He's had his riches returned and then some.

Adam & Eve must vacate paradise, and mankind as a whole is denied such an idyllic existence? A savior is provided, and all we need do is believe in that savior to reclaim paradise.

Time after time after time, things get better.

Granted, the second most obvious lesson in The Bible is that patience is worth having, as some of the getting better didn't happen for a loooooooong while, but everything eventually got better for those who believed. And it still does. It always will.

And that's what I'm leaving you with, my friends. These lessons took a long time to pound their way into my thick skull, so I figured I'd share them with you and save you some hassle. If you already knew these things, I'm glad. If not, you're welcome.

If you want to try and argue against them, don't bother. You'll necessarily have to argue non-Christianity, at the least, and perhaps atheism. I won't buy any arguments based upon such non-belief (much as I suppose you might not buy my faith-based arguments. Fair enough. I'm happy, though. How about you?)

And that's that for a while. MY WIFE and I are vacationing soon, so I don't expect to be publishing anything until I come back to work, which will be on the 18th. Until then, I'll expect everything to happen...

(relatively) Soon, with more better stuff.

So should you.


62 comments:

Julie said...

interesting ...

enjoy your holiday, see you when you get back.

Saz said...

Hmmmm....so have faith there is always hope


saz x

Matt Conlon said...

Wow heavy post for a morning!

I think faith, regardless of religion is important. Whatever you believe, it's faith that begets hope.

Have a great vacation sir!

Jeni said...

Dang! I just wrote one of my fairly long-winded comments and somehow, pressed something by accident and it disappeared into cyberspace some where! Anyway, you'll get no argument from me on your theories here, that's for sure. No, life has not always been kind -no bed of roses, no big bowls of chocolate covered cherries either -but when push came to shove, I've always felt that Faith came through to make it better than any other alternatives. If we had no problems -ever- would we ever appreciate the beauty that life does give us? Like you, I also believe in the Lord, Jesus Christ, as our Savior, that he has promised us an afterlife too beyond our comprehension, and it is that Faith that keeps me moving. We all have down times, bouts of depressions and such, but I have not just that Faith but also a family -children, grandkids now too, extended family too and friends who continually buoy me in ways even they don't realize they are doing at the time. And that circle of friends keeps growing as well -not just with those physically near to me, but also through people just like you who I've never met in person but whom I consider to be a strong, steadfast friend and who, through prose like this, continues to show me the real values of faith -not just in God but in mankind as well. You knew as you wrote this that I would love it, didn't you? Beautiful piece, Jim!

Shammickite said...

You are right about things getting better. I have been in some bad situations in the past and they always seem to get resolved eventually. And I owe a lot to friends and family who helped and supported me through those situations. But in my experience not everyone survives the bad times. I was at a funeral last weekend for someone who took her own life. Did things get better for her? I don't know.

Suldog said...

Personally, I hope that things get better for those who feel so despondent that they take their own lives. I have to believe that a God of love and compassion would not punish someone unduly for ending what that person felt was unendurable suffering. And, if one wants to consider the non-existence of a God, suicide would certainly take away the pain, at least.

Cricket said...

C: Where do you think we go when we die?

H: I think we play saxophone for an all-girl cabaret in New Orleans.

C: So you believe in heaven?

H: Call it what you like.

Great post, Jim. Enjoy your vacation.

Word veri: dammut. (!)

Crazed Nitwit said...

Hmmmmm where have I heard this before?



Oh yeah. Church. LOL.

I pretty much agree with you on this one. Though while one is going through hard times, it's quite difficult to comprehend the everything gets better deal.

Just saying.

Suldog said...

"... while one is going through hard times, it's quite difficult to comprehend the everything gets better deal."

Indeed. That's why it has to become a matter of faith - ingrained, and firmly held - so that it won't be totally forgotten during the hard times.

I'm not saying that I never bemoan my fate, or that I don't ever become angry at my circumstances. I do, and I do. But I've always found myself on the other end of things realizing that there always IS the other end of things. And the more you can hold onto that thought, the easier the hard times become.

(not necessarily your) Uncle Skip said...

Amen!

Hilary said...

I also believe that everything gets better (and worse and better again). And that we get what we need but we're often too caught up in ourselves to recognize it at the time. I believe that everyone and everything is connected somehow. I believe we're all the same no matter how differently we may think about and approach some things.

Anonymous said...

I don't believe in a higher power myself. Though I sometimes think it would make things easier if I did, it just doesn't work for me for whatever reason. For instance, I don't see the hand of god in you and your WIFE meeting. For me it's more of a question of the both of you being in the right frame of mind when you met. A few months earlier or later, and you might simply have been passing acquaintances.

As for death, for me it's not the ultimate insult. The way I see it, everything has a finite time on earth, we make of it what we will. For me, that means making the most of the time I have, doing as little harm and as much good as possible. After that, I'll be plant food and that's ok. It's not inherently good or bad or fair or unfair, it just is.

To your other point, I suppose things do get better to some extent. I tend to think, however, that it's more a result of lessons learned though, than a sign of the divine. But hey, that's just me.

We'll be on vacation at the same time, have a great one!

- Jazz

PS: Word Verif: anssers (I kid you not, you have the best word verifications!)

Craig said...

I have often employed Jagger-ian philosophy in raising my kids. Altho, to be candid, I have tended to concentrate more on the first part of the philosophy ("You can't always get what you want") than the second ("You get what you need"). . . So, thanks for this.

;)

And you're right - it all comes down to the basic, fundamental question laid out in the New Testament - "Jesus - what do you make of Him?"

Dostoevsky (or Nietzsche; they both said it, I just don't know who said it first, or if they ever talked about it) had a darker take on some of what you say here - "If God doesn't exist, then nothing is forbidden".

In other words, without a Lawgiver, or at least an afterlife, morality simply stops making sense. And without something like the Golden Rule, you've got the Law of the Jungle, and the meaning of life is reduced to something on the order of "Be the Predator, not the Prey".

And without God and Heaven, and all that, then what's the point? And, as you say, you really can't say that things can always get better. . .

Thanks again. . .

Michelle H. said...

I very long, but well-meaning, screed. I can't add any feel-good platitudes, so I'll just say you truly have a positive attitude concerning life.

Suldog said...

Hilary - I tend to agree with your final sentence, and that includes my belief in Christianity. I believe that others may have a path that I cannot see or understand enough to follow. For me, my path is Christianity, and it is clear.

(Jesus said, "I am the way and the life. None may come to the Father but through me." I don't believe that statement utterly obliterates other belief systems, necessarily. It might, but I think that, in the end, even those who follow another path will be met by Christ, whether here or there. What will happen upon that meeting? Certainly I'm not God, so I can't say.)

Anonymous said...

Amen Brotha! Amen.

Some might even say that the "bad" times are a time of refining character.

It's not easy or a happy time, but sometimes you can learn from those experiences and if you don't? Then you're given even MORE opportunities to learn.

I LOVE this post, Dude.

"You just might find...you get what you need!"

Great song and post.

Nick said...

Religion is, of course, all about having faith - you’ve either got it or you don’t. Either way, you can live a productive life.

Katney said...

Thank you.

(I could add to that but others have done so quite eloquently already.)

Suldog said...

Nick - True. But the faith component is what makes the "everything gets better" part of this proposition ultimately true. Without the belief that there is something beyond death - and something worthwhile, I might add - then the ultimate truthfulness of that statement is questionable.

i beati said...

my friend convinced me awhile back it nay not be what you think you need but God knows best and in his time. I have great patience with a home and body falling apart. I just know God has a plan..sk

Daryl said...

While I dont necessarily agree about the god parts I do think you're right about getting through the crap and things being better... I was sure the cats would never recover from the ringworm .. 11 weeks it took ... but now things seem to be getting better so I too am heading off on a sort of mini vacation... no cats, no ToonMan, just me and LAS VEGAS babeeeeee!

IT (aka Ivan Toblog) said...

I can think of a lot of stuff that paraphrases what you've said. Heck! I go to meetings three times a week to hear... and say... much the same stuff.
Basically, it's all about choices and change. Isn't it? ...and knowing what we control.


v word = osseusui

Suldog said...

Many have said it better, and before I did. I just wanted to get my own personal beliefs sorted, and I've found one of the best ways for me to do that is to write them out, so you folks got stuck with them!

connie/mom said...

I recently read something that gave me some sort of comfort as I felt that anyone who takes his/her own life winds up not getting into heaven.
This article said something like this. A person who commits suicide is, at the least, temprarily insane. Mental illness is just that - an illness. Would God condemn a person who died of cancer? Of course not (assuming that person had no other reason for being deprived of an eternity with God), so a person who dies as the result of a mental illness would not be condemned either. I don't know if I have exoressed this as clearly as the article did for me, but it brought me comfort nonetheless.

Buck said...

The eminent philosopher, Jagger, has espoused a similar theory (in partnership with his sometime co-theorist, Richards)...

My favorite (philosophical) flavor -- cherry red.

Not to debate ya, Jim, but things don't always get better. I have the last 12 years of my existence to offer up as evidence in this particular scenario. You could advance the "it will get better, in time" POV but I'm rapidly running out of that commodity. But I also have acceptance working for me and I'll roll with that. "Things" ain't what they used to be but they're not completely dark and dreary, either.

WV: Genie. I want one... the bottled kind.

Suldog said...

Well, see, Buck, that's where the faith thing comes in. If one doesn't have that belief, then there isn't ALWAYS a light at the end of the tunnel. Sometimes the exit is death, unfortunately, and if one views that as not an exit but a final destination...

Acceptance is pretty much what it's about, though, in the long run. And you have one of the better outlooks on life, from what I can tell. As long as you have a sense of humor and some good music (and the occasional beer and smoke) things tend to even out, at least.

Ananda girl said...

Great post! Great comments!

I have an answer to the death issue. My mother was dying very painfully of brain cancer that originated as breast cancer. I prayed daily for "just one more day with her"... until the day I looked at her and realized how selfish that prayer was! Then I made a better choice and prayed forgiveness for my selfishness and asked that God take her out of her misery. He did so within hours and I was never more grateful for any answered prayer in my life.

Wow, that was kind of a bummer comment huh. But I must also say that my mother taught me that things happen for good reason, go with it and hang on. I agree with you with all my heart.

Ananda girl said...

P.S. Have a wonderful vacation!

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Home Run, Jim!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Psalm 84:11, "The Lord God is a sun and shield; the Lord gives grace and glory; no good thing does He with hold from from those who walk uprightly." That means if it is withheld He's got somethin' gooder ;-)) Your post is so full of hope...I love this! Thanks!!! Have a fabulous vacation, my dear friend!! Hugs, Janine

Shrinky said...

I so envy you your faith, I really mean that. I guess I prefer NOT to believe in a God because to my mind, if there were any such one, he'd truly have to be one fucked up evil bastard, and the thought of an omnipotent egocentric up there, having sway over whether to favour or smite, scares the holy crap out of me (shrug)..

Enjoy your trip - we'll miss you!

Maggie May said...

You are so right, Suldog. That was a really good post and yes...... everything does get better and the best is yet to come if you believe in Jesus!
Maggie X

Nuts in May

Chris said...

Thanks, Jim. Your timing of this couldn't have been better.

terri said...

Jeni steered me in your direction and she was right. It was a very worthwhile visit. Your ideas are not new to me, but for some reason this sort of brought tears to my eyes. Thanks for some very valuable reminders.

Jackie said...

Jim...Your Wife is blessed to have you, and you are blessed to have her. I hope that you both have a wonderful and relaxing vacation in Chicago. Thank you for your smiles....your wisdom. Take care of you.

Sueann said...

Enjoy your vacation!! Good post!!
Thanks
Hugs
SueAnn

Unknown said...

I'm a definitely believer that everything happens for the best even though, at the time, whatever happens may not appear to be the "best" but it'll always prove to be true in the long run. And that's what life is all about... the long run.
Have a great holiday Jim!

lime said...

well, given what our family has been going through the last few months this was quite timely. two of my kids are both struggling with hard times right now and my daughter, in particular, really wonders if things will ever get better for her (her health is improving slowly but still fragile). as their mom it's hard to watch and contend with some of my own fears but i know it's also important that i continue to communicate that things will either get better in circumstance or they will be given the grace needed to endure the tough times.

thanks for the reminder.

have a great vacation.

Pat - Arkansas said...

Amen, and yet again, Amen!

Enjoy your vacation.

Pam said...

You are right on spot! Good post! Have a great vacation!

gayle said...

What a great post!!! I believe!!

rhymeswithplague said...

I don't get over to your blog very often but I'm glad I came over today and read this post.

Some people might call your outlook "Pollyanna-ish" (if that is a word) and whole books have been written on how we live in the best of all possible worlds (Voltaire's Candide), but I agree with you wholeheartedly, especially the Jesus Christ as my Lord and Savior part.

And my middle name is Henry, and as a matter of fact it did help me enjoy it.

I will begin reading you more regularly now.

Carolina said...

Someone should warn Bob Henry Rhymeswithplague ;-)

Whatever works for you Jim. Wishing you and your wife a wonderful vacation :-)

Since you seem to have the best word verifications, my one is 'gorima'. Does it make sense to you?

Suldog said...

Gorima? Sounds like a hideous venereal disease!

And my word verification (yes, I have to do them for my own blog) is MENTLE.

No comment.

CiCi said...

If I had read this post before I met my hubby I would have seen it through different eyes and a different heart. Everything does get better and we do get what we need and I am so grateful. Nice post. I hope you and your wife have a wonderful vacation.

Unknown said...

I loved this story about meeting your wife. Really romantic. Also loved your joke about the philosopher Jagger. That's one of the few Stones songs that I actually get.

-TimK

Anonymous said...

Great outlook. Have a great vacation!

Kat said...

I love you.
I am so glad Jeni sent me here. I'm so glad you visited my blog. I'm so glad I came here.
This post is absolutely genius and perfect and wonderful. And I completely agree.
You rock.

I am now your bloggy follower, if you don't mind.

Thank you for this post.
I hope you and the wifey have a wonderful vacation.

(if you've never heard it you should listen to the Garth Brooks song "Unanswered Prayers". love it.)

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Hello...just wanted you to know that while you are away, you are not forgotten :-)) Hugs, Janine

Ruth and Glen said...

We're finally back among the living and getting a chance to catch up here. Wow, what a phenomenal post to come back to Jim! :o)

Angela Christensen said...

Great and honest post, Jim, and a beautiful counting of your blessings. From my perspective, Faith is a Gift. You can have it or not. You can have it and lose it. You can lose it and find it again. But it's a gift; you can't just decide on it. It comes to you or not, presumably from God, however the concept of God is expressed in your own language of spirituality. For myself, un-reconstructed Catholic that I am, I find more and more the words of the Dalai Lama (and Jewel, if I am frighteningly honest, in that damn dumb song that closes with, "...in the end, only kindness matters..."): "This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples, no need for complicated philosophy. Our own brain, our own heart is the temple; the philosophy is kindness."
Love, love,
Angie ay Eat Here

Jenn Flynn-Shon said...

You know what's funny? I don't follow the same path as you and I don't even subscribe to the same faith path that you do (I know subscribe is probably the wrong word here but I can't think of anything better...follow I guess could be used again) but I firmly 100% believe in your general philosophy: Everything gets better.. Yes, yes it does. I needed this today Jim, thanks!

Jenn Flynn-Shon said...

You know what just made me literally laugh out loud?

"Your comment has been saved."

:-)

Linda at To Behold The Beauty said...

Your story about trying to reconcile with your unhealthy relationship and then meeting your wife-to-be reminded me of a Garth Brooks song which states that "some of God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers." There's a profound truth in that thought.

Jackie said...

(Tuesday morning)
Out of sight, out of mind? NEVER!
I'm checking in and hoping that you and YOUR WIFE are having the time of your life. Take care...
Hugs and smiles,
Jackie

rc said...

I'm still having a tough time getting past the part where we are better off than being naked in paradise...

Sandra said...

Jim -- Faith-affirming truths said in original, sometimes humorous ways -- perfect! I've read this aloud to Hubby and our son, and I called our daughter and suggested she read it too. That is the greatest compliment I can give you -- to want to share your words with my family. You have expressed what we believe exactly, but in an original, Suldog " way. Thank you.

Sniffles and Smiles said...

Just want you to know I'm thinking of you, dear Jim!!! Hugs, Janine

Judi FitzPatrick said...

Thanks for this post, Jim. Religion is not my thing, but I'm sure there is a higher power of some kind.
As far as the ups and downs, I just know in my soul that "everything is as it should be", that especially helps with the down times.
I also believe we are all connected and that whatever you do affects every other living thing on this planet - including plants and other animals, so try to live accordingly.
Enough rambling. Hope your vacation is/was relaxing and fun.
Peace, Judi
P.S. I love Jenn Flynn Shon's second comment, I lol'd at that!

LuluRN said...

They developed a movement around these thoughts!
http://www.itgetsbetterproject.com/page/s/pledge

Of course, almost all kids have these feelings and get teased, not GLBT kids, but it is a start for all kids.

Anonymous said...

Jim, you know some of what we have gone through... and are going through now.

And all I can say is this:

I agree.

Thank you for sharing this.

Thim :)

Lora said...

Thank you for taking the time to comment on my blog today and point me towards this post! I don't think I was reading your blog in October of last year....although I could be wrong and just missed this one.

But it was great, and definitely a great thing to hear with what our family is going through right now. I KNOW that it is true, and things do get better, but it is nice to be reminded by an outside source instead of having to just tell yourself over and over again "Its ok, its ok, its ok" Know what I mean?

I could give you a hundred instances in my life where I KNOW the Lord has given me what I NEEDED...and not what I WANTED. It is what gives me the ability to keep moving forward these days. In all honesty, even with the adoption when I pray for Tanner I don't pray that he will come home, I pray that the Lord will do what HE KNOWS is best for our family and for Tanner. And while of course my human heart wants this boy to be our son, I know it is not ultimately up to me.

Thanks again :)

Jackie said...

Jim...It's been two years (plus) since you wrote this blogpost. I came back today to re-read it after your blog post on December 28, 2012.
I continue to hold fast and firm to the knowledge that we are in His Hands, and we couldn't be in any better ones. Ups and downs do come, but He is there with us, and what a Friend we have in Jesus.
I love the comment that you made above, "But I've always found myself on the other end of things realizing that there always IS the other end of things."
We are continually holding on, going on, and waiting for what He has planned for us. If you need me, please, e-mail me or FB message me. We are friends indeed...brothers and sisters in Christ. We are here for each other...always.
Hugs,
Jackie