within the span of 10 days I have had to digest a massive pile of painful conversations. more than any other time in my life. realities from every realm of life. and while the grief grinds my soul raw, it strangely gives me the sensation of being alive. in a twisted and indecipherable way, the circumstances trotting through my daily life cause me to wince. and grin.

somehow, experiencing heartache makes me feel more human than ever. walking with others through their heartache even more so. I think it’s because when two souls meet, unguarded and unadorned, they connect at the core. in a twisted and indecipherable way, entering someone’s tragedy excites me because of the prospect of knowing them through it…in a way that the good times never afford.

from personal hurts to family anxieties to professional challenges to ministry anguish, my emotions have far passed snapped. they’re defunct. and in a twisted and indecipherable way, this grief has reawakened me to the reality of our humanity.

we are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not despairing.