Don’t Put a Period

Grammar has never been my most favorite subject (but is it anyone’s favorite really?).  But as a writer, I’ve learned its value.  Because how distracting would it be if you couldn’t effectively read content because you’re too distracted by the multiple grammar errors.  I’ve been reminded recently how important grammar is not only in writing, but in our personal lives too.  Mostly importantly for context of this blog post, how important the ellipsis is in writing.  This symbol can represent many things, including an indication of a pause.

As many of you know, I have the honor of helping to lead our Infertility and Loss support group at our church.  You can imagine the amount of grief and heavy emotions that women in this group cope with in their journeys.  I often do not feel equipped in how to comfort and respond to these women and I’m perfectly ok with that.  That puts me in a position to be completely reliant on God’s Spirit to speak in and through me.  And there are many times that speaking and a response isn’t necessary.  Sometimes a empathetic listening ear and carrying them to the Lord in prayer is what is most needed.

There was a meeting recently where a woman vulnerably shared her emotional pain that she was experiencing over the fact that she and her husband still weren’t pregnant and that their recent embryo transfer had failed.  Hope was fading to the point of a belief that this was their reality not only now but for their future.  After her moment of sharing I felt the Holy Spirit prompting me to share with her that her story was still being written and that they shouldn’t perceive their current reality as the inevitable.  Tears welled up in her eyes as I witnessed God’s words speak to her in a way that only He can.

And how true are these same words for all of us?  We’re all prone to looking at the valleys in front of us and allowing the darkness to cloud the potential for hope.  It might be a current medical diagnosis or challenge.  It might be financial difficulties, relationship struggles or challenges with work.  But the good news is that God is for us, He loves us and He wants us to constantly seek Him in prayer so that we can be filled with hope and peace.  One of my favorite verses this year on the topic of hope, confidence and peace:

My encouragement to you is to not strive to strengthen your hope in times of trouble, allow the power of God’s Spirit in you to fill you so completely that you overflow.   Trust and know that God is always working.  For that reason, let’s not put a period on the end of our stories.  We can be confident to know that God is still writing our story and for that reason we can use an ellipsis.  Your story is to be continued…  😊