God is still good, even when it’s hard to hold on to that truth.

In this season, I’m learning a few things about grief, pain, and God’s presence in the midst of it all:

Presence over perfection – Sometimes all we can do is show up, broken and raw. God meets us there, not in our perfection, but in our presence.

Authenticity over prosperity – Life’s true richness is found in being real, especially when we’re hurting. God honors our honesty, not just our success.

Grief is evidence of our capacity to love deeply – This pain we feel is a reminder of the love we carry. Loss hurts because love runs deep.

Isolation isn’t the answer – It’s tempting to retreat, but connection with others is the way forward, even in the darkest times.

Do it with pain – Healing doesn’t erase the pain. But even through the ache, we keep going, finding strength and meaning in each step.

Through all of it, I’m reminded that God’s goodness isn’t dependent on our circumstances. He’s good in our joy and in our grief. And even here, I believe that.