Seeing the Good Stuff

Someone asked me how I could possibly laugh. How on earth, they asked, could I possibly be happy?

Don't be quick to judge; they have their own demons whispering in their ears, screaming during their dreams. They honestly just didn't know how it was possible.

How is it, they wondered, that a soul can be crushed into nothingness and still be able to see joy?

Easy. I told them. I swam in the Gooligans.


When I was 10, my cousins took me to a state park in the area of Innisfail, Queensland. It was beyond magical. Surrounded by rainforest and natural waterfalls stood the clearest body of water I ever saw. I was only ten, but in my memory I swam in water as clear as the air around me. Like swimming in transparent silks and satins - it was absolutely perfect water. More perfect than I could ever conjure up in my own mind. I could look to the very bottom of the swimming hole - the water so clear I couldn't tell if it was six feet deep or six hundred.

I don't know if you've ever swam in water like that, but it allows you to see every single precious miracle that is usually secreted away in the depths of dark waters. I could see every plant, every animal, every everything.

But, let's say something came along and shook everything up. Muddied up those waters. Just because I can't see to the bottom anymore doesn't mean it all disappeared. The plants, the animals - they'd still be there whether I could see them or not.


Life is like that. Sometimes the waters of life are crystal clear and it's super easy to see the good stuff. It's so easy to realize you're surrounded by nothing but goodness. But every so often something comes along to muddy up those waters: job loss, death, a diagnosis - and it's up to you to remind yourself that you're just having a bit of trouble seeing to the bottom. It's all still there, it just might take a bit of time until the waters settle and everything becomes crystal clear again.

But you can trust that the good stuff is still there. You can have faith that they have not disappeared from your life; your eyes are just temporarily clouded and blinded to their sight. Have faith that in time, you will again see that you are surrounded by nothing but goodness. If not in this life, then the next.

Sometimes, just knowing that makes all the difference in the world.


 
For we live by faith, not by sight.
2 Corinthians 5:7

Comments

gradydoctor said…
This is so beautiful and an amazing metaphor. I wish you had some photos of that time in Queensland! I love the joyful smiles of Avery. Thank you for continuing to write, share and let your light shine.
I just love your spirit and your writing and the way you see things. I'm just so glad to know you. You inspire me. Even before this, you inspired me. You remind me to keep my chin up, to cherish moments, to focus on the goodness. Thank you so much for all that you share.
Brenna said…
Oh I love this one. Do you have a subscription thing on your blog that I just don't see? I've missed so much since Google discontinued my reader.