Dark.

At some point in everyone's life, we've experienced the dark. Loneliness. Regret. Depression.

I'm just returning home from a weekend getaway with my family of 3, my brother and sister in law, 2 sisters and parents to the Smoky Mountains, Tennessee. The weather has been low 50's and tons of rain. Needless to say, I did not pack enough sweaters and my hair looked like a terrible car wreck the entire time. The mountains are breathtaking at every season and time but this weekend they were a different kind of beautiful. There was so much fog and smoke that laid on the tip top and around the sides of them because of all the rain and cold that they looked like "smoky" mountains. The view served as a reminder that life is foggy, cold and dark at times. Vision is unclear and decisions weigh in a balance that makes us entirely too uncomfortable for our liking. 

My family is facing a situation right now, and at times the answer seems so clear, and other times, the right answer seems to be lost somewhere in the mountains I was just describing. So many important things and precious people are at stake with our decisions. The Bible says no man lives to himself, nor does he die to himself. Whether you are on the mountain or down in a valley, those around you are affected! 

The dark is scary. The unknown and hidden future can often times force us in a cave, isolated and alone. It keeps us from reaching potential, carrying out a purpose, meeting new people, seeing new places, loving and living in general. 

I'm just optimistic enough to think that the dark serves a big purpose! It is in my darkest times that I learn the hardest lessons. I come out STRONGER yall! Lessons are meant to be learned, life is made for change, and people are made to mature. I've got to remind myself "this too shall pass". As long as we are willing to put on the muck boots and wade through the water, we come out on the other side with pride and a new found strength and typically, we find answers and direction! Put on your big girl panties and DEAL, am I right? I was brought to this trial to go through and to help another along the way. How better can we help one another than we have experienced the same issues. 

I heard a song for the first time today from a southern gospel family group. Anyone that knows me knows I am not of fan of that kind of music typically but I thoroughly enjoyed this tune. I urge you to download it and listen for an uplift! But in case you don't want to go to the trouble or spend the $1.29 on iTunes, here are the lyrics. It's called God is Always Good, by the Bowling Family. 

I don't know why, I don't know when. I don't know how you'll make it through, but I know Him. But He is good and He is kind. Sometimes it's in the darkest night, we find... 

That God is always good, God is always good. Always was, always is, forever he will be. God is always good to you and me.

He knows your hope, and broken heart. He knows everything that led to where you are. And He'll provide all your needs, so rest on His unfailing love and see...

That God is always good, God is always good. Always was, always is, forever he will be. God is always good to you and me.