Life brings challenges to each and every one of us.
Whilst it is not an original observation to make, it remains true that it is the trials that reveal who is really there for us in our time of need.
We all need help and support at times just as we all need to offer help and support. Sometimes we are the one offering support, other times we are the one in need of support and sometimes we are offering and receiving!
In recent challenges within my own life, there are key people (you know who you are, near and far!) who have warned me of potential risks up ahead, supported me when such risks were realised and helped me not only to extricate myself from said risks but who also remained on hand to pick up the pieces of my broken heart and love me through the process of healing.
I shall remain forever grateful for the wonderful gift from God of all those who have helped and who continue to help me when I am in need.
Whilst life brings problems that I cannot predict or prevent, these were problems I could have predicted and prevented.
The bottom line is that I made a bad call, in spite of the advice of loved ones. I did not want to heed their warnings much less respond appropriately, because I did not want them to be true.
I take responsibility for my poor choice, for the subsequent damage caused, the time needed to heal and the painful but ultimately powerful sense of liberation that I have gained.
If only I could learn without causing myself such pain.
As with every painful lesson before, I have been reminded of where my help comes from, as well as where it does not.
It has been true before and remains true today that my help has always come from the Lord, in a myriad of ways and through a multitude of people.
And whilst it has been one hell of a battle to create the time, space and energy to write, it is this provision of help revealed through every trial that my first book will be about.
Whilst I believe that help from above is available for every human in every trial, I feel incredibly fortunate that this is my actual ongoing lived experience.