The hard days

     This past week my stepdaughter was having a bad day. Her team lost their soccer game, she was sore from physical training, her math homework stumped her, and she was quarreling with her best friend. I found myself trying to give a peep talk on the way to dropping her off at school. 

    I told her as much we hate to admit it, we grow the most through difficulty. The hard times make us stronger, give us a new perspective, and we experience personal growth. As a parent there is such a temptation to shield children from unpleasantries. We do not want to see those we love suffer and we like being the hero. It would have been easy to tell her everything would work out and to turn that frown upside down, but I have learned better....

    Nothing against optimism, but I think she was better off connecting with what she was feeling. I was impressed with her ability to communicate what was really on her mind and depth of her perspective at such a young age. 

     I imaged God delighting in me when I confide in Him about a disappointment without having a tantrum or falling into the depths of despair. God can certainly handle our outbursts but what it must be like to see His children uncomfortable but not hopeless. 

    The hard days offer a unique opportunity to grow and connect to God. The aim is not just connection but transformation through that connection.