The Remnants

As I drove home from work last Friday evening I realized I was in the middle of the remnants of Hurricane Ian.

During the hour drive there was a shift in my spirit. Not just because of the weather, but because I began to ponder what remnants actually meant. A remnant is something left over or an indication of the past. It's technically what's left behind.

What remains.

What remains after grief.

What remains after breakups.

What remains after a storm.

What remains after a shift.

What remains after a divorce.

What remains after a change.

The remnants...

God knows what we can handle and what we can't. Some things are meant to be left behind. For example. We lived in our apartment in New Jersey for 9 years, moved into a bigger space in Virginia Beach and still left things behind. The remnants of our life there. The remnants of Lincoln Park.

I remember moving day like it was yesterday because everything that could go wrong went wrong. To the point I sent my wife and son ahead of me with the movers and I stayed behind. I spent hours in that apartment throwing things out and packing more things in my car...antagonizing over what to leave behind. Knowing in my heart that some stuff just wasn't needed. I was just used to it.

The remnants...

I knew God chose me for this task that's why I so readily sent my wife and son ahead. Sometimes God wants us to recognize our jobs, missions and purpose on our own. He doesn't always want to push us. Because you see if you realize right away and on your own it means he's working through you. That thought you have saying to yourself..."you know what, I got this". God sees your progress and smiles upon you. It's like watching your kid use the lessons you've taught them. As difficult as the task was I did it, because I knew I had to....and God was pleased.

What remains.

What remains after grief.

What remains after breakups.

What remains after a storm.

What remains after a shift.

What remains after a divorce.

What remains after a change.

The remnants...

Fast forward, I look up and it's 6pm and my wife and son have made it safely to Virginia Beach. Yet, there I was sprawled out on the floor of this apartment amongst an old tray table that tilted because the bracket that held it together was missing, broken hangers, and old bed frame, and armoire that I had removed the doors off, a pile of extension cords, and a few toys Jax had surely outgrown.

The remnants...

How you deal with the remnants is an indication of how you have handled your assignment to begin with. For example, seeking therapy after dealing with grief. You see we tend to think we can handle death on our own. For example giving yourself grace to be happy and not bitter after a divorce. For example, not burning that man's clothes or putting that woman's business in the streets after a breakup. For example, being open to change so life doesn't kill you. For example, learning from previous storms to prepare you for the next. For example being mindful of shifts in the universe so we can lean into them and not be ripped apart by them.

The remnants...

Soo....I got up. Looked around and called the rental office and said to the manager, "I've done all I can do here. My time is up. Do what you will with this stuff. These remnants. I've given these walls 9 years of my life and I don't have a minute more. I have to go now.

So how do you deal with the remnants?

"Turn your face towards the sun. Let the shadows fall behind you. Don't look back, just carry on and the shadows will never find you".. Towards the Sun by Rihanna