I am not sure what this says about me, but I regularly forget Heaven is full of amazing friends. When I am having a difficult time, I tend to just focus on what is happening right in front of me. I forget that the Lord has given us these amazing friends to be with us on our journey. Not just figures in a sacred art piece or names on a feast day calendar. But, real people, who lived real lives who are praying for us. It’s wild to think how often I attempt things on my own before remembering that I have an entire army of intercessors at my side.
Over the years when there have been some particularly difficult things, one Saint has come to mind over and over: Our Lady of Sorrows. As I have dove deep into my healing, Our Lady of Sorrows has been a beautiful companion. The depths of the pain and grief I have experienced felt impossible to carry at times. I know that Our Lady understands that immensely. I wish I could say that I turn to her regularly for her intercession, but I do not.
Yet, with her feast day fast approaching, I have thought about her more and more, I wonder if she might understand a different kind of struggle, too. Not the profound grief, but the challenge of creating new habits, gathering courage to try new things and putting myself out there. Since moving to a completely new area, I have had a hard time finding my people. Community, friends to hang out with, things I enjoy doing.
We often joke that it’s hard making friends as an adult. There is so much truth to that. Starting over is challenging and messy and vulnerable. It requires showing up before you feel comfortable and continuing to try even when the connections don’t come as fast as you hope.
As I have been reflecting, the more I realize that while my circumstances are vastly different, Mary knows what it’s like to live with uncertainty and to step into the unknown, all the while trusting the Lord. Our Lady of Sorrows is not only someone who we can turn to when our hearts are breaking. She is someone who can accompany us in the quiet sorrows of everyday life: disappointment, loneliness or the courage to begin again.
I think that is what I am reminded of right now. I don’t need to be carrying heavy grief to ask for Mary’s prayers. I can invite her into the smaller struggles, too. The courage to show up when I don’t know anyone. The awkward introductions. The persevereince to try again.
Our Lady of Sorrows absolutely understands deep suffering, but I think she also understands small aches of the human heart. And perhaps this is when she is most ready to walk with and intercede for us.
Our Lady of Sorrows, pray for us!