Seeing the stars at night makes me feel “nearer my God to thee,” and closer to heaven where those I have loved and lost are now at rest. Comforting images, peaceful reassurance that eventually, all will be better.
No living person can escape difficulties. We are all afflicted in various ways: health scares, emotional trials, loss of loved ones, unwanted transitions, and the list goes on. People can feel shattered, bereft and forlorn. Yet, there are options for us. We can choose to feel pitiful, sorry for ourselves, or we can look beyond ourselves to find comfort and courage to carry on. Allow me to share practices that soothe my troubled soul.
Being raised by faithful parents, I attended Sunday School from the time I was very young. My father’s belief in the Almighty was invincible. Although my mother also believed in God, she enjoyed skipping church on many Sunday mornings for time to herself and to cook a delicious noontime repast. She was an excellent cook. She delighted in pleasing her family with her culinary skills.
As I grew into young adulthood and married my husband John, I tried to follow my father’s footsteps. After our honeymoon, we moved to Ticonderoga, New York where I found a church for my young husband and me. Because there were no Presbyterian churches in that small paper mill town, we joined the Congregational Church.
Wherever we lived, we attended church. I will never forget one Easter Sunday in Salina, Kansas, a newspaper photographer spotted John and me with our two adorable little girls in their Easter dresses, hurrying into church a bit late. We were stopped, photographed, and our family picture appeared the next day in the Salina newspaper. A surprise, indeed! Our daughters were delighted.
Throughout our upheaval and transitions, we learned that church was a wonderful place to feel at home. A church is welcoming. Newcomers do not remain strangers for long. When life felt overwhelming, my comfort came from nurturing friendships and leaning on guidance from God. (Two of my favorite Psalms are Psalm 62 and Psalm 91.) This practice has followed me all my life.
In addition to personal prayer and dedication to my faith and church, I have discovered life-long friends among the congregations of our churches. They have inspired me, sustained me. Perhaps the fact that we all gather our strength from God has been a binding force.
In addition, having been taught by my mother that, “God helps those who help themselves,” I felt encouraged to seek professional counseling. Three times during John’s corporate career and our multiple moves, I reached out for help from competent therapists. Slowly, I learned. I grew stronger, I thrived, and overcame difficult challenges. Thankfully, my perspective was enriched and enlightened.
Watching my husband’s vibrant mind and loving spirit succumb to the tragedy of Alzheimer’s was heartbreaking. I battled nagging guilt when I moved him to Memory Care. Each time he begged me to take him home, I felt like a traitor to our love. I tried to reassure him daily, to understand his decline, his change of personality, and his loss of cognitive acuity. I reached out for help and support from the professionals working in our long-term health care community. I felt like a sponge soaking up their cogent advice, their empathy, and their knowledge.
We each find our ways of coping with adversity. I am grateful that, in my life, I find help from the Almighty, from faith in His Word, and from those people whose advice I trust and admire.
Thus, seeking “solace in the stars” helps me feel closer to God, heaven and my beloved husband, parents and all those who have gone before me. God Is good, and I am grateful.
Top Bigstock photo by Mikhail Dudarev
