When the evening comes and the sun goes down we enter the night. Will we make it to the other side?

In the midst of chaos and challenge, this is one among many questions that may  arise. Andrew's parents didn't know what would be on the other side of the bus ride that took them out of war torn Lebanon in 1976. Many experience similar unknowns today. Whether it is war, relational strife, illness, or loss, getting to the other side can feel like riding in a storm.

In the midst of the storm, there is one thing we all can do. In fact, it is the thing that many have done throughout history. We can endure.

Endurance looks different for every person. What we have already gone through, and the reasons we continue to endure are as varied as the lives we live. The capacity to endure that we all possess is worth honoring, encouraging, even celebrating.

Yes, there are many experiences I would have rather not had to endure. Still, the evidence of my ability to endure has given me strength when I have been called, yet again, to endure the night. 

When often speed past the hard things. They are hard after all. If we slowed down, and took account of the things we have endured, maybe we would discover some good things. It is good that we have made it to the other side. We might take notice of those who were with us, even if we felt so alone. It is good that we took on our night alone, and found others along the way.

It is good to remember why we decide to endure. For what or who's sake do we keep going? This, especially when things are hard, when the old consolations don't seem to work anymore, and when everything seems to be changing.

After the darkness, light. When the sun rises we have endured the night. We know things have changed, and yet the experience of enduring can linger. What is it like to make it to the other side? It is a new day with its own things to contend with and for. But the night is over. May it be so.