HeartStories

Saudade Dad: Your Love Remains

We’re celebrating you today, Dad. It’s your 77th birthday. This is the second time we’ve celebrated your birthday without you physically here with us. Daddy, it still hurts so bad. I’ve lost so much since you’ve been gone. I wish we could talk about it. I wish I could hold your hand. Sometimes I wonder if the ache of not having you here will ever go away. But deep inside, I know the ache won’t ever go away, because while I’ve lost so much, I have also found so much.

I keep finding my name in your Bibles and your devotionals. I’ve found your notes scribbled in the margins, which led me to answers I desperately needed in those exact moments. There’s no other way to explain it, Dad.

Your love remains.

Saudade Dad: Your Love Remains | HeartStories We’re celebrating you today, Dad. It’s your 77th birthday. This is the second time we’ve celebrated your birthday without you physically here with us. Daddy, it still hurts so bad. I’ve lost so much since you’ve been gone. I wish we could talk about it. I wish I could hold your hand. Somet...

In a time when we've all lost so much in so many different ways, this is such a poignant reminder from Dr. Edith Eger that even still, you have the power to choose what you will give your attention to.

What's one thing, person, memory, dream, experience, or goal you still have that you can shift your attention to this week?

I won’t stop thinking of, aching for, and praying for the people of Ukraine.

I’m praying that unexplainable peace and comfort invade the hearts and minds of children and their parents. That every hiding place is protected. That vulnerable people are miraculously sheltered from harm.

Praying that soldiers feel the courage and passion of giants as they defend their land.

Praying that Ukrainians everywhere see our hearts, minds, and social feeds draped with yellow and blue as a visible signal of our love.

Praying that our solidarity with them would bolster their WILL to defeat the enemy and they would sustain an unshakable belief in what they
are fighting for!

Praying that the dawn comes quickly and the watching world sees the Ukrainian flag still waving! 🇺🇦

Standing for peace, love, and humanity.

Standing with Ukraine.

Kneeling for Ukraine.

This got me fired up! 🔥

I read an article that left me enraged over a condemning narrative shouting that women should constantly pour themselves out, without any replenishment. My anger began with tears of sadness, nose tingling, and eyes watering. The outright deceitfulness of saying to care for yourself is godless. She manipulated self-care memes with disturbing images that twisted the meaning/the intent and the truth to leave women believing that the only way to be a good woman is through constantly feeling empty and drained. Oh, and if that leaves you feeling unfulfilled or unjoyful, there’s simply something not right with you.

This is so far from the truth.

It’s condemning. It’s distant. There is no love, no compassion in this. This message is shameful.

It’s literally FULL of shame.

How, does a woman physically thrive enough to care for others? How does she become strong? Does she starve herself of food? Go without sleep? Deny her need for solace? Never recharge? Never replenish? Only martyr herself for others? Oh and if she’s faithful to this martyrdom, she should certainly feel fulfilled and joyful all the time!

Everything in me fights against this.

There is another path. There is a more loving path. There is a more human path. A more realistic path. A more compassionate path.

It’s the path of renewal.

It’s tending to the physical, mental, emotional, relational, and spiritual needs of your body so that you have the strength to show up, full of joy, for your life of service to others.

If you’re tired, hungry, sad, or lonely, those are signs of life, not selfishness.

It’s why babies cry before they can speak. They are signals you need care. You are designed for rest, renewal, connection, and creativity. If you want to live a flourishing life in humble service to others, as I do, these things are non-negotiable. I’m certainly not the expert at practicing them, but it’s why I do what I do.

I’m fighting for you.

We need you to flourish.

We need you to do what you’re called to do.

Pay attention to your signs of life.

to more love,

Crystal

Listen in or read the full blog at:

https://heartstories.com/signs-of-life/?utm_campaign=meetedgar&utm_medium=social&utm_source=meetedgar.com

DO NOT listen to the whispers that try to convince you you're too old, your time has passed, or your best years are behind you. They are lies!

The journey of your life has been challenging. You have fought so hard to become the woman that you are.

You have SO much more to offer than you ever have before.

Yes, YOU. Exactly who and where you are right now.

Let that soak in today.