I  just read a piece written by Katherine Wolf that inspired and encouraged me. In it, she challenges us to celebrate in the midst.  In the midst of a scary diagnosis, the middle of a nasty divorce or the ongoing care of someone with a chronic mental or other illness. 

Celebrate now. Throw a Tribulation Party, she says. Use your china. Use the special table cloth you got as a wedding gift.

I don’t know about you, but I have always set aside and protected treasured belongings. Teacups, tea towels and pillowcases embroidered by my grandma, fragile serving dishes.  I have been known to never write in a beautiful journal because perfectionist me doesn’t want to mess it up. It is a dumb thing to do because then I never get to enjoy using the beautiful  things that I have been privileged to own

At the same time, when bad things happen — which seems like all the time these days — we may be inclined to withdraw in sadness, fear, and regret. Instead, she says to throw a party.  Have a brokenness brunch. Don’t wait.

 “You aren’t celebrating the bad thing, of course, but the God who won’t leave you to face it alone,” Wolf writes. Gather friends and family around the table. Break bread. Drink wine. Laugh and cry.

When you look another human in the eyes and see how they’ve found strength in the face of their suffering, it makes you sit up with a little more hope.

I have purchased Katherine Wolf’s new book, Suffer Strong. I plan to read it while recovering from surgery coming up soon. And who knows, you might get an invitation to a Hamstrung but Hopeful celebration.

Click here for more from Katherine Wolf. https://annvoskamp.com/2020/02/celebrating-in-the-midst/?fbclid=IwAR3yYYVej2gunSPoQrA–VnHPiGH33P-lhT0zab67AyuOAG-ktsHszi6Dm8