Stay strong!

"Stay Strong!" I heard my friend say to me... My response was, "I will try my best". 

As I sat down and I thought about this conversation. The more I thought about this the more I got convinced that it might not be entirely possible.

These two words, as well as they mean has probably been my biggest down fall over the last three months. I mean... It is really easier said then done... 

What does it mean anyway? Does it mean don't cry (at least not in-front of us)? Does it mean don't show emotions? What do people mean when they say, "Stay Strong"? I say this not in a judgemental way or unappreciative of the sentiment, but rather in trying to make sense of this "grieving thing".

I have been trying to be strong... but the more I try, the worse I feel. The more I pray for strength to carry my cross and follow Jesus, the harder it appears to be. I guess this is the law of nature or something... If a person wants muscles, then that person must gym. You don't get muscles by watching other work-out! As they say, "No Pain no Gain".

But I struggle with this... 'working - out'. How do you do this in a healthy way? I mean, even Body-builders need a break every now and then (don't they?). If not, their muscles might tear or they might collapse from exhaustion or something... isn't it? We cannot just be expected to stay strong... to keep going irrespective of the strain or pain... or should we?

On Sunday, the Preacher spoke of Moses holding up his arms in battle, so as to ensure the success of the battle. When he got tired, he had people alongside him to carry him and lift his arms high. That's when I realized that sometimes being strong means allowing others to assist you. 

Thank you friends and family for your support. Thank you for holding us up when we could not stand. Without your caring and support we could not have walked the last three mouths. We are truly grateful! 

This is the time that I have to acknowledge my most awesome wife, Desiree. In her I have found courage and strength. She has held my arms up even when she struggled to stand herself. Thank you my love for standing with me, for carrying me and being my compass back to faith, strength and sanity. Thank you for being you. You are truly more then I deserve.

So, what am I really on about? I think what I am saying is that being strong sometimes mean leaning on others, even, or rather, especially when you think you don't need to. So, I resolve to stop perpetuating a stereo typical view of strength, but to rather take each day as it come. To raise my hands up... helping others to fight the good fight and every now then lean back into (depending) on the arms of others to carry me through.

There is pain in this world! There is hardship and struggle, but we are never as alone as we think we are.