The cold and wind hit like a stone
Unyielding, chilling, hard
At first they huddled, cringed and turned
But then one brave one
Turned and faced the pain, the cold
Chose to face the hardness
Straight on
c2022 Lisa Lyons

Look at these beautiful stone structures at Monasterboice, begun in the late fifth century. There was no heavy duty machinery to help with the hewing and construction in those days, just hard, hard manual labor. These monasteries were built out of love and duty. Love for God who had saved them and sent His Son for them. Duty and purpose drove their construction, as they created monasteries to worship, serve, pray, learn, and teach others.
Lately, there have been many hard things, for all of us. The hard things seem to just keep coming. But we must keep going, keep doing the hard things out of love. To serve the ones we love. To show love to our Father in Heaven. To give purpose, fulfill our duty and produce joy as husbands, wives, mothers, children, friends.
Something beautiful will arise from the hard things
Love, Lisa
Monasterboice, established 5th century, County Louth, Ireland
History is a story. A story of where we’ve been, lessons we’ve learned, both good and bad. History forgotten is time wasted. It sets people up for repeating mistakes over and over.
One of the best things about Ireland is the respect shown for the past. They don’t tear down the past, simply because it might be empty, falling apart, or what is considered to be culturally irrelevant by some. The celtic crosses, the monasteries, the abandoned cottages. They remain as a testament to what was, what was learned, where they have been. And gives an amazing sense of hope for the future. That the things of God remain, that no matter what man might say, God is alive and well in 2020 and forever.
Love, Lisa