Just Show Up

Just show up. Sounds easy, right? Only..... sometimes it’s not. I mean, on any given day- any one of us can give a million reasons on why we don't show up. "It doesn't matter.... my stomach hurts.... it's too hard....it's not a big deal- they won't notice....it IS a big deal- and I'm not equipped to handle it".....and the list goes on and on. We can come up with infinite reasons on why NOT to show up. Question is, are we as creative when coming up with reasons to actually show up. I'm certainly not. Let me give you a real-life example. A friend recently lost her husband. They didn’t have a service immediately after his death, but waited instead. The service was actually today. After he passed, I told my husband I wanted to go to his service. This friend had done a lot to quietly support me throughout Zeta's life and death. I wanted to show her a portion of that same support. Now, you need to understand this about me. I don’t like "funeral, after-life, or celebration of life" services. There's certainly not anything wrong with them.... I’m just human, selfish, and self-absorbed. Gatherings to remember loved ones gone too soon make me uneasy. It's not I that panic or anything- I just don't know what to say- or how to act.... you know, normal stuff......I've been determined I WOULD show up today....only last night, I started having those conversations in my head about why it really wouldn't matter if I didn't show up.... ....but I did.... ....and let me tell you...I got a humble reminder about how important it was to "show up" today.

Not only did my friend "notice" I showed up, she was humbled and so grateful that I showed up. The love and thankfulness in her heart showed me that showing up was absolutely meaningful to her in that moment of time. Not only was I humbled by the love, appreciation, and awe my friend showed me for simply being present....but I also had the opportunity to meet a "Facebook friend" I'd never met before. Our hearts forever connected by the loss of our children. She, too, also quickly humbled me as we embraced. As I sat through the service, I thought of the people I knew there - and their stories. I thought of my friend who stood before all of us and poured out her heart of thankfulness - all while she painfully mourned her husband's loss to cancer. I thought of my friend who lost her son to suicide and how brave she was to "show up" for our friend today. I thought of the friends sitting behind me and how they walked through so much with us during Zeta's life and death - and continue to do so today.....I thought of the friend sitting next to me and the fact that she just lost her daddy. As a matter of fact, she just told me this week how hard it has been to write 'thank you' cards because it just seems so awkward to tell people 'thank you' when she's missing her daddy so much....and the thing is- I get it...I mean, I've never been in any of their shoes....but I understand heartache..... Don't we all? I don't know the pain you've experienced, just as you don't know mine.... .....but if we live and love....well, then we're bound to experience pain... ....but do you know what the awesome thing is??? PAIN IS NOT FOREVER. Jesus Christ died the most horrific death on earth in order to give us eternal life. He showed up. Do you understand how AWESOME that is?? The pain we experience here on earth can seem bone crushing...breath taking...and infinite. ...BUT IT'S NOT.... God does not promise easy HERE ON EARTH. ...otherwise we would have no need or desire for Him.... He does promise eternal life...eternal healing...and eternal joy.... ...all because He "showed up." He knew He'd be mocked and persecuted- yet he showed up! Are we that good at showing up? Next time you feel that little tug to show up - listen to it. You'll never know the peace God will put in your heart or the comfort you'll be for the person who needs it......or the comfort you'll receive.... just for being there. Just show up.