When you feel overtaken with both gratitude and grief...do this

Today, I am writing from my kitchen table again. This is where I write most often because when my one-year-old wakes up saying, ”Da da da,” I know sleeping in isn’t an option.

So, I get up, make my coffee, and write while he plays watching Baby Einstein. I’m writing this at 4:30 in the morning. So, good morning, good afternoon, or good evening—depending on when you read this.

This morning, as I reflect on the previous days, I’m overtaken with both gratitude and grief. Hurricane Milton could have been so much worse for us, yet it was terrible for so many others. It’s hard—in moments like these—to find joy while others have had their lives uprooted. Can you relate to feeling that way?

In all my years living in South Florida, I can’t recall a tornado outbreak like we saw as Milton was approaching land.

I was driving home from Walgreens when I got the first tornado warning and if you’ve never seen the emergency alert on your iPhone it’s not something you want to read while in your car:

Thankfully, I made it home only to have multiple other tornado warnings as the day deteriorated. I’m grateful our house was not hit and I’m especially thankful we got to walk out of the laundry room after having to take shelter.

And then, there’s the grief of knowing multiple lost their lives in other places and took on extensive damage from these series of tornados.

How do you handle that?

How do you express gratitude amid an understandable grief?

What do you do when you feel overtaken with both gratitude and grief?

Do this: rest.

I’ve found the best place to be is resting at the feet of Jesus. There you can find both joy and grief but not be overtaken by anything other than His love and grace and mercy.

Here, burdens are lifted, and worries are washed away, leaving only peace and clarity. It’s a refuge, a haven where one can be surrounded by unparalleled love and unwavering support. Indeed, it is not just a beautiful place to be; it is the best place to be.

So, today that’s what I’m going to do—rest in His presence.

Wherever you are in the world I’d encourage you to do the same, to make the time to be alone with Jesus. Trying to bear the burden of the trials, the storms, and the challenges of life isn’t something we are designed to do on our own. Jesus says in Matthew 11:28-30, “Come to Me, all you who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take My yoke upon you and learn from Me, for I am gentle and lowly in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For My yoke is easy and My burden is light” (NKJV).

Rest in Him is where we find healing for our souls.

I love what

Jonathon M. Seidl

says here, “Friend, Jesus promised us peace, but he did not promise us a piece of cake. I hate that and love it, too. I hate it because it’s uncomfortable; I love it because it’s comforting. And I’ve found it to be true.” I couldn’t agree more with Jon’s words. Jesus does promise us peace but He never said life would be easy and without trials and burdens and hardships. We will find that peace in His presence—and if I’m honest I hate that life isn’t without the struggles we all face. I do. But I know God is good, knows all things, and sees a bigger picture than I do.

Because of His heavenly view, I can sit at my kitchen table this morning in both gratitude and grief—thankful for His protection but also heartbroken for those around me. Life isn’t easy. It’s messy—very messy and painful at times.

So, I will express my gratitude today while also interceding in prayer for those who have encountered unimaginable loss.

I know God is good—all the time.

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Photo of the tornado outbreak in Florida on October 9, 2024.