I wanted to share something a dear friend of mine wrote to me after reading one of my last posts.  His writing inspired me, and I found it so beautiful that I asked if I could share it.  He graciously allowed me to share it here:

For many in Christian circles, their faith is a set of rose-colored glasses that create a skewed view of life, death, people and circumstances. This lens allows them to judge, make assumptions and feel better than the rest of ”the world”, while keeping them from seeing how things really are. 

 

There is both sadness and relief when we begin to see the world as it really is…..broken, selfish, lonely, and complicated. In my experience, when this happens, there is a season of darkness; darkness that leads us to believe there is no light, no beauty, no heroes.

 

But in time, we realize that even in what seems to be utter darkness, there are shadows; and for there to be shadows, there must be some light, somewhere. And we begin to trust and take comfort in even the smallest flickers of light that enter our sight.

 

In time, we do begin to see beauty from the ashes. We forgive ourselves. We accept who we are. And we realize who we are becoming, through and because of the darkness.

 

And in time, we discover new heroes. Those who walked this road before us and those who journey beside us. Women and men whose humble view of themselves and realistic view of the world leads them to a simple way. Be yourself. Love others. Invest your life.