I'm going to take the time to reflect on cliches for a moment. Why does it really seem like it's "always darkest before the dawn" and that "it always gets worse before it gets better"? I used to think it was so that we could appreciate the light of the dawn more after having just emerged from darkness. But now I think that, in many cases, the darkness is necessary in order for the dawn to be bright. I don't think bad things happen arbitrarily or at random, and I don't think they remain unredeemed. I really think that we go through trials and that because of those trials the dawn is able not only to come, but to be even brighter than it would have been otherwise. There's been so many, many times in my life where I've looked back and seen that the dark, uncertain, unpleasant times were necessary for bright, clean, brilliant blessings. There are some things that I believe God brings us into (and through) in order for something good to take place or in order for us to become someone good, and then there are others that he simply allows us to experience. Things that are just...life. Death of loved ones, lost jobs, bad financial situations, heartbreaks. Things that God doesn't necessarily cause to happen, but just do. But I firmly believe that he redeems all of these times, and gives us opportunity to be blessed by them. Nothing is random. If you're out there barely hanging on, don't let go. Your arms will be stronger when your feet are back on the ground, and the sun will be brighter around you as you look back over the jagged rocks you were hanging perilously over.

Currently consuming: Ben & Jerry's Dublin Mudslide ice cream