There are moments which mark your life – moments when you realize nothing will ever be the same. And time is divided into two parts, before this and after this. ~ “Fallen”
I am ready to go back to work. For the first time since I started teaching, I am ready to get up at 5AM, hope for a little peace and coffee before my kids come barreling downstairs with the noise, and realize, once again, that it will NEVER HAPPEN. I am ready to cram a day’s worth of love into 3 hours at night. I am ready to put on a show for students who have no interest in the quadratic formula. I am ready to laugh in hallway corners as we survive another day of teaching. I am ready for Friday. Night. Lights. I am ready to cram all the life I never get to live into weekend brunches, photo shoots, and activities.
I am ready for “after this.”
Currently, I am sitting in my sister’s chair at my sister’s house. For the first time in my life, I drank my entire cup of coffee, did an entire session of Instagram uninterrupted, read my morning devotion, and not one peep from my children. Rating – 0 stars, I do not recommend. I would rather be home, praying for enough magic to make it through the day.
“It’s time to turn your magic all the way on.” (Author Unknown)
My Best Friend whispers in my ear. It is time for Bible songs and Bible stories. It is time for Momcamp. It is time for at home learning. What if my magic was created “for such a time as this?” (Esther 4:14)
“Your magic is not just what you do. It is who you are,” my Best Friend continued.
***
For all of you who are wondering what to do “after this,” TURN YOUR MAGIC ON. Cry. Pause. Mourn. And then get up. Take a break when you need it. Take time to heal when you need, but whatever you do, do not give up. This is simply a tragic chapter, not your whole story.
Hurricane Katrina – tragic. Hurricane Ida – tragic. Your ex – tragic. Your trauma – tragic. That one time… – TRAGIC.
“And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are called according to his purpose.” (Romans 8:28) A wise preacher once said, “if it is not good, God is not done.”
I know everything in you would just like to go back to before. You now see that you LOVED before.
Before is gone. There is only “after this.”
***
Magic – “an extraordinary power or influence…from a supernatural source” (Merriam Webster)
***
What are some ways you turn your magic on?
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Check out some other inspirational pieces on handling
- How to Have Peace in a World of Panic
- Living with Purpose – Stay in Your Magic
- Living Your Purpose…Because Life Happens Before You’re Ready
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ordinarilyextraordinarymom 
This is a superb post, Brittany! First off, in all of this tragedy, I am so proud of the strength you show day after day. We cannot go back. We cannot fix what is behind us. We cannot wish it away, whatever the disaster. We must go on. We must rise to the occasion, for the outcome will be good.
For as that wise preacher once said, “if it is not good, God is not done.” The Lord has promised to work ALL THINGS together for our good, even this tragedy, even this disaster, even this failing, even this terrible mistake, even this failure. This promise is one on which we can stand, for God has spoken it. Thank you for this reminder at such a time as this, dear sister. I stand on the Rock, Jesus Christ, for it will be good.
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It’s just such a tough time. So many people feeling so many things and holding on my a thread. That’s when we need His promises most. *le sigh*
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Praying for your and your family, my friend. May the Lord continue to keep you safe
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I truly appreciate that. Thank you so much!
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Continued love and prayers for you all.
I’ve been reading up on the HESED (Hebrew) of the Lord on Bible Hub and other places. It took me to Lamentations, where Jeremiah, the weeping prophet, says,
“Remember my affliction and wandering, the wormwood and the gall.
Surely my soul remembers and is humbled within me.
Yet I call this to mind, and therefore I have hope:
Because of the loving devotion (HESED) of the LORD we are not consumed,
for His mercies never fail.
They are new every morning; great is Your faithfulness!
“The LORD is my portion,” says my soul, “therefore I will hope in Him.”
The LORD is good to those who wait for Him, to the soul who seeks Him.
It is good to wait quietly for the salvation of the LORD.” Lam. 3:19-26 BSB
The Lord is our portion. He is big enough, good enough, powerful enough, loving enough, and so on, to be our everything. May you all feel His wonderful presence with you as you go through this difficult time.
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Thank you so much for these words of comfort Ruth. I am working on accepting His daily portion and doing my best to look outside of myself to extend that portion of Him to others also.
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Praising God for what He’s doing in and through you, and I also continue to pray for you all.
You’re doing great! Keep up the good work! Your God is walking with you through all kinds of turmoil, both the literal and that of the soul. Hugs. 💖
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Sending so much love and warmth to you and your family, Brittany. xoxo
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Thank you so much Sarah. XOXO
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You’re most welcome. my dear!
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Timely. “If it is not good, God is not done.” Sending hugs…
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Thank you! Hope all is well with you and your family 🙂
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We’re making it. How are you? How’d you make out with Ida?
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Same. We have some roof damage and sheet rock damage. Better than some, worse than others.
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Sigh…This storm did so much. But I’m glad you are safe and well and your home wasn’t destroyed like a couple of my friends’. 😦
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