by Lenore Buth

Sometimes we have no clue what people read on our faces

I learned that lesson a few years ago from a total stranger when I was shopping in a big-box store.

I barely noticed the white-haired lady trundling toward me. Only her head showed above her cart.

She stopped next to me and put her hand on my shoulder.

Her eyes twinkled as she smiled and said, "Aw, Honey, I’ve been watching you and I just want you to know it can't be that bad."

I stared at her in confusion and said, "Excuse me? I don't know what you mean."

"Well, you look like you lost your last friend. Whatever the trouble is, you'll get through it and it helps to smile.

"Now you take care of yourself, Sweetie, and God bless you. Whatever's going on with you, it's just life. Sometimes life is hard, but you can do hard, I know you can, and I promise, you'll be okay.”

I thanked her for caring and walked on, still mystified by her words. Then I passed a mirror and stopped short. She was right. I did look grim.

It felt like a gut-punch and I stopped to lean against a post.

I knew in my bones the sweet little lady spoke truth I needed to hear.

If she were standing here, she probably still would say, “Whatever the trouble is, it’s just life”

To us it doesn’t feel like “just life.” Covid-19 stripped away our routines and comforts and infected us with fear and uncertainty.

We’re in new territory and the road signs keep changing. Life feels hard.

We yearn for hope and long for peace and joy in our hearts. So do the folks around us, in our families, in our neighborhoods and yes, in stores and on sidewalks.

They’re looking for something—or Someone—to hold onto, trying to identify people who seem better able to cope. For some it’s the first time they considered that Christians might possess something unique that enables them to cope without falling apart.

Most of the time we’re not aware they’re watching us. The question for you and me is, what do they see—and hear—in us? And from us?

This, too, will pass

This Covid-19 pandemic will become the stuff of research and history books, but who can say how the Holy Spirit is working through it?

Think of the Apostle Paul’s words in Romans 8:28:

And we know that for those who love God all things work together for good, for those who are called according to his purpose. Romans 8:28

The word of the LORD came to Jeremiah: “Behold, I am the LORD, the God of all flesh. Is anything too hard for me?” Jeremiah 32:26-27

It doesn’t matter that we humans don’t understand. God knows. God can bring good out of pain and disaster.

Isn’t that the message of Easter? Jesus rose from the grave alive!

“Sometimes life is hard, but you can do hard, I know you can”

How do we do hard when we’re feeling tired? Disheartened? Impatient to get back to the familiar?

That’s when we remember who we are and whose we are. God is speaking to us, too, when he says in Isaiah 41:13:

For I, the LORD your God, hold your right hand; it is I who say to you, “Fear not, I am the one who helps you.”

The Lord of heaven and earth is on our side! Because we trust in Jesus we can count on his strength and peace.

I can do all things through him who strengthens me. Philippian 4:13

With Jesus, we can “do hard”—even in the midst of Covid-19 and our fears—and do it with joy.

Our St. Matthew family has lots of people who shine forth joy—joy in the midst of hard. Every day they live out the truth of Nehemiah 8:10b:

The joy of the Lord is my strength.

When we turn aside from the drone of scary news and focus on Jesus, it changes our mindset and lifts our hearts.

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope. Romans 15:1

As that little lady said to me, “Life is hard, but you can do hard. I know you can.”

Jesus will not leave us to struggle through on our own.

Whatever you are dealing with right now, always know that Jesus walks beside you, holding you up when you want to quit and clearing the path ahead.

When we have Jesus in our hearts, we have strength to go on. We can do hard—and do it with peace and joy.

Lenore Buth is glad to be part of the St. Matthew family and appreciates all the love and support. She has been writing for many years, including newspaper and magazine articles, as well as several books and some study materials for Concordia Publishing House.

She writes a weekly blog post and has kept it going since the summer of 2008. You can check it out at www.awomansview.typepad.com