Romans 8:28
And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose.
There’s a tree near our house that always catches my attention. Every time I pass by, I notice how its leaves slowly fall to the ground. But as I looked longer, I realized that even in losing its leaves, the tree still stands tall. It reminded me of how life teaches us to let go.
Just like that tree, we all go through seasons. There are times when everything feels full our hearts, our days, our dreams. But there are also moments when things begin to fade. People leave, plans change and what used to make us happy sometimes loses its color. At first, we might think that something is wrong, but maybe it’s just a season of letting go. The falling of leaves is not the end, it’s a quiet preparation for a new beginning.
I remember moments in my own life when I had to release things I held on to worries, disappointments and even people who no longer brought peace. It wasn’t easy. Like the tree, I felt exposed and empty for a while. But as time passed I learned that letting go can also be an act of growth. When we clear the old, we make room for something new to grow.
In life, I’ve been through many challenges problems that started when I had my own family and continued even when I began working. There were times I almost wanted to give up because everything felt too heavy. I often felt tired and there were days when I thought I was getting sick just from overthinking all my problems. But through those moments, I learned to be stronger because of my family. They became my reason to keep going. Every time I felt weak they reminded me that I had a purpose and that I was not alone. They taught me to face life with courage and faith, no matter how hard it gets.
I remember the time when I had surgery on my breast. It was a very difficult period for me because I couldn’t work or lift anything heavy. Every day I felt weak and burdened by my thoughts. I cried because I couldn’t help but worry wondering how long I would live or if I could ever recover. But despite all of that, I learned to keep trusting God and to pray every day. Like the tree that remains standing even after losing its leaves, I learned to stay strong even when life felt painful and hard.
How about you have you ever faced a time when you had to fight through pain, whether in your body or in your heart? How did you keep your faith and continue to move forward even when everything felt impossible?
The most painful experience I have ever faced was losing my father. It felt like my whole world suddenly became empty. I still remember the moment I saw my mother and my siblings trying to be strong, even when I knew they were also broken inside. It’s never easy to lose someone you love. There are days when the pain feels lighter but the truth is, the sadness never really goes away it just becomes part of who you are.
Sometimes, I still find myself looking at his old pictures, trying to remember his voice and his smile. The memories are all we have left of him now. During family gatherings or special occasions, we always end up saying, I wish Papa was here. We imagine how happy he would have been, sitting with us, laughing and enjoying the moment.
But even though he is gone, I know that his love still lives within us. I feel it every time we face challenges and stay strong together as a family. I believe he is watching over us, proud of who we have become. Losing him taught me that life is fragile but love never dies. It stays in our hearts forever, like a gentle reminder that even after the storm, love remains.
Have you ever lost someone you love deeply? How did you find the strength to move forward while keeping their memory alive in your heart?
I believe that the Lord allows pain not to break us, but to build us into stronger, more compassionate people. As it says in Psalm 34:18, The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. I hold on to this promise, trusting that one day, all the pain will make sense and everything I lost will be replaced with peace and joy that only God can give.