Grief Bites: Finding Treasure In HardshipsSample

“Life is like a piano: the white keys represent happiness, the black keys show sadness. But as you go through life’s journey, remember that the black keys make music too…” All of life works together to create the masterpiece that each of us are so brilliantly offered every single day. The good and the bad in life...both help people to appreciate different facets of life and to live the best life they possibly can. You can’t only take the good in life and reject the bad because both are tremendous shaping tools to help you live a completely full life…one is the sandpaper of life and the other is the buffer to make it brilliantly shine…both have the powerful ability to refine you. Without BOTH, the melody of life is incomplete…the song isn’t as powerfully sung or played. When we reject the bad in life, and resent our circumstances, we ultimately reject a higher purpose for our life that can be used to help others. When we attempt to get through a trying time in high speed, we miss out on some life’s most amazing lessons…lessons that can change you. Lessons that can give you a depth you didn’t realize you had. Lessons that can catapult you to a new level of greatness you didn’t even know you had in you to reach. Lessons during loss, trauma, and disappointments are never fun. They're uncomfortable, often very devastating, and extremely self-revealing. Not everybody has the opportunity to find out exactly what they’re made of. We all think we know what we believe, think, and understand about God, relationships, and life...but loss tests everything in life to a great level: your relationship (and loyalty) to God, family, and others…as well as all previously held thoughts, beliefs, and feelings about many topics. Loss has the potential to forever change a person...for the better or worse. Think of the song your life is playing. It most likely is a rich combination of both black and white keys. The flats and sharps (black keys) are the notes in life that threaten and attempt to discourage you, pierce you, and make you ineffective in living life to the fullest. The white keys are the notes that encourage you and show you just how incredible and amazing life is and how great life can be. You may not have the ability to choose what keys are playing right now…you may have many black keys that are bringing intense pain. Realize this though: every key that is playing in your life melody today has incredible value. You need both. Allow the song and the notes of your life to play. Embrace all that is going on in your life. The songs in life always change because life is just one incredible morphing of notes that are there to teach you to enjoy, appreciate, and learn about every facet of life. There is so much good in life. We all are so blessed…even on our worst days. If you don’t like the notes that are playing in your life, take the notes to the feet of Jesus and ask Him to help you grow through your loss. Ask the Great Conductor to change your life to play new music...and a new song...that will glorify Him as He leads you in life. We all are responsible to make the best music possible that plays out of our life...and leave the writing of our songs in life to Him. Think about this: one of the greatest songs ever created was used from many dark keys. There IS beauty through the black keys in life…but you most likely will have to embrace the tough times and refuse to not allow good to come out of those times. One of my all time favorite classical piano songs is Fantasie Impromptu Op.66 by Frederic Chopin. It is a challenging piece to play because it uses a difficult four against three in the rhythm. This rhythm makes this song very difficult...but once it is mastered, it is a genius piece. Listen to this beautiful song on Youtube, and as you listen to…and appreciate…the richness and depth of the notes, make the decision to allow every black and white key in your life to create an unforgettable life song. Allow the songs your life creates to be an incredible testimony to God. He can take all the notes in your life and create a true masterpiece!