Stay...

'There's going to be days when you just don't want to be here anymore. You just STAY. You fucking stay. Somewhere out there, somebody needs your voice. I promise. I swear to God, your laughter is someone's saving grace. Hold on tight, baby. The sun is coming for you.' Eric Van Vuren.

Sipping coffee this morning, enjoying the cool rain-kissed air flowing through my windows, I came across this quote while clearing out old downloads.....there have been times I needed to read this short blurb, reminding myself of my worth.

The lie that creeps across the landscape of our minds, filling every crack and crevice with filth, is that we are alone and worse...unnecessary...unneeded...forgotten...

Spending time with those who see you, value you...love you for who you are in each moment, in each season, tethers you to the here and now. Taking time with the ones who give you the space to be YOU, who create a safe place within their circle...within their hearts and minds, keeps your head above water...unknowingly holding you, reminding you of who you are to them...and it is enough.

For every dark thought that springs forth in the messy folds of your brain...that whispers in your ear that you are unworthy...a fraud...useless...no longer needed......for every one of these barriers and roadblocks to living life to the fullest, that loved one showcases a million little reasons to stay...to just fucking stay...to smile despite the tears, to find joy in the face of overwhelming sorrow, to laugh in delight and dispel the darkness that shrouds the heart, the mind, the spirit....

I struggle to find words to describe my thankfulness and gratitude for the unconditional love expressed, shown and walked out in truth from these few genuine souls.

This dear friends is what saves....this is what will enable the trauma laden hearts to step out on the path of life instead of off the path, into despair. No matter how long, how far...no matter how many times they choose to go back to that cesspool of lies....reflect on the times on your own path you were shown patience, kindness and long-suffering and extend those same virtues to someone in need.

Those killing words of 'your triggers are not my problem,' are harbingers of death, of cold hearts and colder emotions. If not our problem, then whose?

'If I speak in the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I am only a ringing gong or a clanging cymbal. If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have absolute faith so as to move mountains, but have not love, I am nothing.…' 1 Corinthians 13

If I speak to a friend, a stranger, a co-worker and something I say has the affect, the ability to hurt, to trigger a memory of harsh and horrific times...it is with a sense of responsibility and love that I would seek forgiveness and a change in behaviour to avoid causing pain.

And so I encourage you dear hearts to extend kindness, to extend compassion and love to all we come in contact with for it costs us nothing but personal growth and is it not our aim to grow in character as we live this short life? It is gone in the blink of an eye....

Stay dear hearts....stay....you may not know how much you matter to someone, how much you are loved...how much your smile lights the room and the hearts of those around you.

Wherever you are, whether surviving day to day in the nightmare or away and living each day in search of your purpose here on this earth....you matter...you are important...you are loved....

That far away glimmer of light you see is the promise of new beginnings...of fresh life, full of joy and laughter....meant for YOU and only you...God has a purpose just for you....He walks with you; swims with you in the darkest of depths, climbs that massively formed mega-mountain with you...carrying you in your weakest moments, cradling you close and whispering His unending love for you, His delight in you.

Do not give up dear broken and lost...for while we may feel lost and too broken and damaged to be any good, the very opposite is a truth that resides within you, if only you look hard enough. There is life, there is bountiful life waiting for you just round that next bend, round that next hill....steadfast and brave is who you are....plot your course and hold fast and true. You've got this...inch by inch, foot by foot....moment by moment you move forward to a newness and fullness of life, to healing and love for the woman (man) you were created to be. You, my dear hurting hearts, are worthy of all that is good and lovely....

I pray for your walk, for your unique path up and out of the wilderness...

I pray for extraordinary strength in the face of an enemy that would seek to destroy, to debilitate, to bring death to your dreams....

I pray for wisdom and clarity when confusion comes in like a black cloud...

I pray for the grace to accept that which you cannot change...

Go with God today and know your worth dear friends. Walk tall, walk proud, walk with confidence knowing you are not alone, never alone and loved beyond measure.

Loved....wanted...necessary...needed.... always.