Juxtaposition is strange and poignant, particularly when it happens naturally in life.

Months of anticipation boiled over into excitement as my son was born Dec. 2. He’s gentle and peaceful with his entire life ahead of him. My heart warms when I hold him.

Ten days later, a decidedly different kind of anticipation came to an end when my grandfather died. Cantankerous as he was smart, he lived life on his terms. It was the only way he would have it. My heart drops as I think about the many summers I spent at his house, the Sunday lunches we ate together and the memories forever carved in my brain. I miss him.

This rollercoaster of emotion is a bizarre ride. One moment, I’m cherishing a sweet moment with my son. The next, I’m holding back tears of mourning for a great-grandfather who never met his youngest grandchild.

I struggle for words that describe the experience. Even when I pray, I find myself sitting still without saying a thing.

We all go through difficult moments in life where we don’t know what to do, how to act or even how to talk about what we’re going through. God is there in those moments – caring for us, comforting us and guiding us.

The Holy Spirit helps us pray in those tough times. I pray you feel God’s help today.

“Likewise the Spirit helps us in our weakness. For we do not know what to pray for as we ought, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groanings too deep for words. And he who searches hearts knows what is the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints according to the will of God.” -Romans 8:26-27

Deeper reflection:
•What does it mean to give everything to God?

Next steps:
•Spend some time in silence before God today. Let him speak to you.
•In tumultuous times, we all need help. If someone close to you is struggling, reach out and encourage them that God is with them.