four-minute friday: tight
Go.
It’s been one helluva week.
I’ve been crazy-emotional. I don’t feel well. I’m exhausted. I received some rough interesting emails. I have more to do than I have time to do it in or energy to do it with. I miss my friends. I’m desperate for a real hug.
And that’s the short list.
On top of which I went and did something crazy.
Posting about my new normal was by far the biggest risk I’ve taken this year.
I was scared of being that vulnerable; I was anxious about the responses that would come.
But then there was the hug in the form of a blog post about me that caught me completely off guard in the best way possible.
There were the phone calls, texts, emails, and comments I received from people who care deeply for me.
There was the “I love you” from God that came in the form of “I love you”s from people.
As this crazy-hard week comes to an end, I’m assured that I’m not alone.
He’s holding me tight.
And so are you.
Done.
@cassgirl says:
My tiptoes didn’t even get cold this week…
standing in the Pacific loving and holding you up my ONLY FF…
Happy Friday!!!!
Love you deeply
i.love.you!!! madly!
ok, that sounds a little “wrong”…you know what i mean though…ha!
@bajanpoet says:
Yeah – I know I’m a guy…. but honestly? I’m holding u in my heart just as tightly as your other friends here. Your vulnerability, your strength to hold on your ….. I’m one of the new kids on the block on this blog – but since I’ve been here, I’ve seen your heart – and I LOVE YOU.
@bajanpoet says:
just realized I jumped from one thought to the next… I meant to say that I admire your strength to hold on to your CONVICTIONS….. somehow that word got lost. I said it in my brain, but….
LOL
@nateonamission says:
I second this.
It’s great to hear that life is mixed for others, too— really hard, but some parts are really sweet. And God is moving in BIG ways! Thanks for sharing authentically— it blesses me, which is wonderful, and convicts me to do the same— which is uncomfortable and causes me to panic a little. Just sayin.
@gritandglory says:
just so you know, aubree… i panic too. ;)
Sometimes…I read blogs and…I feel empty and sad.
I see photos of happy families, beach vacations and home remodeling…
And those things are fine…and fun…
But, sometimes…when you’re hurting or sad or confused…it’s comforting to read the words of someone else who is struggling, too. Then, you are reminded that it’s a tough world and everyone is having a hard time…not just you.
You are reminded that you are not alone.
So, thank you…for being vulnerable and honest…God can use that to touch far more people than if you simply put on your happy face and pretend all is well.
@gritandglory says:
your words are so beautiful… thank you, stacy!
I kinda went off on my blog last night. I can’t stop being grouchy. I’m really trying to find my joy. I know it’s in there somewhere. There is so much good going on with me and around me. But still grumpy.
I love you friend! Much.
@PrudyChick says:
Loving & sending hugs. Just so you know you are an inspiration to me in many ways. Seriously chicky.
I didn’t comment on that one. I’m sorry. I was still caught up with the monday morning post and was shocked to see that its friday already. That post made me feel so sad though and prompted me to pray and believe for a complete recovery for you. Not to be who you where before but to be stronger and more capable. I don’t believe that God wants you to feel fuzzy and not able to get things done that you need to. It just doesn’t seem right. So for now it may be what you have to deal with but I am trusting God in time ( and in His time) to give you complete healing and a full recovery. This trauma will take time but I know God has His best in mind for you so hold on to hope and trust that you are in His hands. After last year Dan became very much this same way but over time he is mostly back to him self even a better version of himself. Hang on there. Ok? If there is any way that I can lesson the burden on you let me know. There is a real tight hug waiting for you in chicago. I love you!
This is my four minute friday… in the form of a link to a song…for the first time this morning I actually listened to the words.
It was tinkling in my heart as I left my morning devotional time so I pursued the melody… hope it is encouraging…
You can click the link below to play it
http://s0.ilike.com/play#Chris+Tomlin:I+Will+Rise:98624888:s4540950.9508424.1964886.0.2.133%2Cstd_ec9776fd74c44a8ba7c0144407788f41
Hugs! The good kind…well, in my house growing up guys could only give girls the awkward side hug. So that will have to do!!
the side hug cracks me up!
I’m a youth pastor/worship leader/preacher’s kid. What can you expect!?
I still find myself to this day going into hugs sideways.
Oh I get the point to the side hug, the church I grew up was a big advocate of the side hug. haha! Sometimes though I wonder if its making a mountain out of a molehill.
Oy, forgive the analogy. haha!
@gritandglory says:
are you gonna give me a side-hug when i see you this weekend?
Haha. Oh my! The pressure!
How about a hug sandwich? Lydia can hug you and then I’ll hug you both! Just kidding.
I’ll give you a real hug. I ain’t scuurrred.
can’t wait to hug you…tight!
That post about you brought me chilly tears! All of it, so true….
love you.
Alece:
You are a very special person – you encourage me sooo much. I found you thru Twitter :) and I love your blog…
Praying for you as you adjust!
Blessings in Him who does all things well,
Charity
Philippians 1:6
@gritandglory says:
thanks, charity! i’m so glad you’re here…
I’m glad I’m here too! :)
Thanks for your comment on my blog – I’m glad you like the sunsets!
Blessings,
Chare
Isaiah 26:3
@bahava says:
loving you.
@pa3cia says:
a virtual *hug* will have to suffice till im able to meet you and give you a real one.
i love giving bear hugs too!
*HUUUUUUUUUUUUUUG*
@traceepersiko says:
rain check?
@gritandglory says:
YFP!
@mandythompson says:
There’s a big hug waiting for you in SE GA.
6 days, friend.
I think you are incredible!
It is a great feeling and a pleasant surprise! Enjoy the moment and reflect with friends.
@kedamak says:
sending you tons of hugs and a whole lotta luv from the Carolinas!
@kamriereed says:
Thanks for exposing your soul I know that can be so hard because you are so vulnerable. So I would like to quote an old philosopher, “What doesn’t kill you makes you stronger.’ It is dumb that life is a constant battle but hey I will pray for you!!!
@gritandglory says:
some days it sure feels like it’s killing me… but when i look back, i can see that i’m stronger than i had been.
i so appreciate your prayers!
I know I haven’t kept in touch with you as well as I should have, but I think of you (and Thrive… and South Africa…) a ton and miss your sensitive spirit, contagious laugh and … well… YOU! Your inspiration has not left me…
@gritandglory says:
wow, britt… thank you for this!
@coloraturajoy says:
So glad to see you receiving love from so many corners. Helps make it easier to ignore the idiocy in other emails/comments, I hope.
Alece
I wish you could see yourself from my (and others) perspective. I know the road has been long and hard. I know that there are days where a sight, sound or smell brings back what was and what should have been. BUT from my view you are a BEAUTIFUL light of hope. You represent that when things don’t have the storybook ending that JESUS is STILL enough! You shine with the truth that who we are in Christ is not defined by a relationship or circumstances but simply who we are in HIM! I am proud of you and blessed to be on this side of your journey! Can’t wait till your back our way!!
Much Love,
Trish
@gritandglory says:
your comment and your email today have felt like hugs. thank you, trish.
Well, you’ve been a huuuuuuuuuuge blessing to me this week. I’m sorry it sucked for you, but thanks for sharing the hurt, because it has helped me for one to have a better week.
I love that you linked to Breakeven on Twitter. Another good one is Your Hands by JJ Heller.
@gritandglory says:
i love that song! (and all her stuff really…)
@mjdagenhart says:
I am so proud of you for taking such a huge risk. Thank you for sharing your heart with us.
Can’t wait for the chance to real-hug you again. Love you!