Here we are, in day two — suspended between grieving death and anticipating new life. Unlike Mary and the disciples, who two thousand years ago, lived through the grief of what happened on that Friday, we are living post resurrection, in the resurrection. We can grieve the cruelty of the crucifixion while celebrating the gift that followed. We have already embodied what happens tomorrow on the third day.
We know the story: The betrayal. The arrest. The cruelty of His crucifixion. Death lurking. His bellow, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” His final breath. Death consuming. The shock and hopelessness of His followers. The burial. Death’s victory. Disbelief and disappointment. And behold the third day — resurrection. Death defeated! A new day.
I used to wonder what day two felt like — the time between devastation and restoration. But then I realized that we’ve all been in second-day situations at some point in our lives. We’ve felt shackled to unbearable grief, pain, or a dead end. When my aunt was murdered, I felt bewildered and without the ability to make sense of the senseless tragedy. Injustices simmered. I still can’t make sense of it. After my miscarriage, the bewilderment was excruciating. I had no desire to hope for another pregnancy, especially if that pregnancy might return me back to the pain of loss.
In second-day circumstances, there is no fertile ground for hope to take root. There is no substance, sustenance, or fortitude for forward movement. In a second-day situation, we feel stuck. Our circumstances feel final. Our life feels futile. Our ability to imagine a brighter day is paralyzed. When we are at the end of a tragedy, we find it almost impossible to see that we may actually be in the middle of a trajectory.
As a mom to a middle schooler, almost daily, I attempt to encourage her to gaze beyond what seems to be the hopeless middle. I consider middle school to be the hell of early teen coming of age. So much so that I assure her there is no amount of money anyone could offer me to go back to middle school. Last week, as I hoped to help her see herself beyond what she considers the travesty of middle school, I was reminded of middle school me.
In my early teen years, I was the embodiment of awkward and insecure. My identity or what I thought of myself was centered on all the wrong things — superficial, fleeting things. But those temporary things were real and lasting to me. They felt massive and fatal. Each day felt like surviving a nightmare — only to wake up to live through another nightmare the next day. I deemed my life inconsequential. I concluded that I was a disposable leftover from my parents’ divorce. Daily, grief consumed me. I dreamed of ending my life. Leaving my life consumed my thoughts.
One evening, while my youth group leader was teaching, I zoned out. In the moment, I had no idea what Scripture or Bible lesson he was teaching. As I sat among a crowd of teenagers, he turned, looked directly at me, and said, “And that’s why you can not commit suicide.” I was stunned into paying attention! He then went on to talk about the relationship between life and purpose. Though the leader was speaking to a room of teenagers, I believed God was directly addressing me. God extended me an invitation to live through my circumstance, to not give up during the second-day, to peer beyond the devastation of the middle. I was awakened to the truth that God sees me and cares deeply for me.
As I reflected on the pain and confusion of those years, I decided to write a note of encouragement to middle school me to add a hope-filled perspective to her middle moment from where I stood today:
God knows your name. God created the cosmos to meet your every need. God designed you — uniquely crafted you. You are His masterpiece. You are no one’s leftovers. While the pain of your teenage years seems overwhelming, it is very temporary. However, this pain will leave an imprint of empathy upon you for others. Hold this second-day season loosely. The third day is coming, and you will need both hands to grasp all that it has for you.
While we plan to celebrate the resurrection tomorrow, may we reflect on the holy space of today — the second day, the moment in the middle, between a dead end and new life. Whether a breath, a day, or decades, there is holy space in between. And for those of us who have lived through second-day circumstances to experience a new day, may we be a source of hope and encouragement for those who are in the middle, waiting for the third day.
Leave a Comment
Marie Antoinette Ugo says
Though the middle is extremely difficult and exhausting, I try to take encouragement from my savior.He was able to endure the cross because of the joy that was before Him.So your middle and my middle will pass and we will experience sweet,sweet,peace once again,on the other side of through.
Rebecca says
❤️
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Marie!
May you know peace in the sacred space of today. Thank you for reading and sharing.
Shalom
LCB
Rita Harvey says
Lucretia, your post touched me deeply. It took me back to a time when I came to America as an 8 year old from Germany. I spoke very little English, but learned quickly to hide being different. Kids called me a Nazi. School was painful because I had to repeat a grade to catch up from my language barrier. Life was hard. I became a foster child.
I’m now in my 70’s. There have been many struggles, but I’ve overcome them over, and over again. I thought that God had betrayed me, but he was there all along. I’m so very blessed. God is my strength. I just had to stop, be still and listen.
It’s been suggested to me to write a book about my story. I was born in East Berlin, and escaped as a child. For many years I couldn’t understand how God could let bad things happen to innocent children. For me, it was all about the journey, which turned me to God.
Thank you for your post.
Rebecca says
❤️
Dawn says
Beautiful
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Rita!
PLEASE write a book about your journey.
May you know peace in the sacred space of today.
Thank you for reading and sharing.
Shalom
LCB
Bev Rihtarchik says
Lucretia,
What truth, born of your own painful experience, you have to pass on to your sweet middle-schooler. Oh, the ugly duckling years — we thought we’d never get past them. Time and wisdom born of walking with the Lord teaches us exactly what you pointed out — the middle is not the end. In fact, it is most likely the beginning of a new trajectory. I love this line: “When we are at the end of a tragedy, we find it almost impossible to see that we may actually be in the middle of a trajectory.” Amen! We are smack in the middle of the most awe-filled and inspiring trajectory — that of our salvation. What a gift worth holding on to and waiting for. The best news is Christ is coming again. This gives me hope to keep hanging on in what can be a tempest-filled middle. Beautiful post. Have a joyous Easter!
Blessings,
Bev xx
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Bev!
Yes! “The middle is NOT the end!” May we have Spirit’s perspective of our lives.
May we know peace in the sacred space of today. Thank you for reading and sharing. And may we continue to reap from the ‘ugly duckling’ years!
Shalom
LCB
connie ker says
I attended a funeral memorial service for a 20 year old who took his own life in his college dorm room. He couldn’t get passed the pause of day 2 when all HOPE is gone. Among people age 10 to 34, suicide is the second leading cause of death. Every 8 hours, someone takes their own life in the state of Indiana. His parents are devoting their lives to Suicide Prevention programs in schools, churches and youth organizations which teach coping skills, healthy relationships, and the prefrontal cortex not being fully developed until age 27. The program offers apps, text and phone numbers to young people who agree not to harm themselves until help comes. This is time when all HOPE is gone, day 2 as you wrote, and no vision of day 3. So reach out to friends and family to wait on day 2 pause, and see what God has in store for you forthcoming. Easter Sunday teaches us The Best is Yet to come. May we celebrate Easter every moment of our lives.
Lucretia Berry says
Connie,
I am so sorry about this tragic loss. Yes, may we be light for those for whom new life seems out of reach.
May we know peace in the sacred space of today. Thank you for reading and sharing.
Shalom
LCB
Dawn Camp says
Lucretia, you visualized this so beautifully and brought to mind when I miscarried our third child and when my mother passed away, much too young. Thank you for this gift of perspective!
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Dawn.
Thank you for reading and sharing. May we know peace in the sacred space of today.
Shalom
LCB
Maura says
The middle is where I need to really tap into the Holy Spirit and grab tightly to his hope. The Saturday of Easter weekend reminds me Jesus knew what it means to wait.
Lucretia Berry says
Maura!
YES! Jesus knew the sacred space of the middle moment. May we be like Jesus. May we know peace in the sacred space of today. Thank you for reading and sharing.
Shalom
LCB
Becky Keife says
“When we are at the end of a tragedy, we find it almost impossible to see that we may actually be in the middle of a trajectory.” So powerfully said. I learned more about you today, friend, and more about the hope of Jesus. Thank you.
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Becky!
I am learning so much about myself through my middle schooler. I feel fortunate to be on this journey with her.
May we know peace in the sacred space of today. Thank you for reading and sharing.
Shalom
LCB
Cyndi Carter says
Beautiful, just beautiful!!!
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Cyndi!
Thank you so much!
May we know peace in the sacred space of today.
Thank you for reading and sharing.
Shalom
LCB
Julie Allenby says
This is just a beautiful writing. No one ever thinks about the emotions of the second day, I seldom remember anything being written about the second day. I love how you opened my thoughts that this day is the in between time of death and life.
Wishing you a Blessed Easter
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Julie!
Thank you for reading and sharing.
May we know peace in the sacred space of the second day.
Shalom
LCB
Sandy Burch says
Thank you for this word.. so strong and encouraging. No matter where we are in life, this is the kind of reminder we all need. Bless you!
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Sandy!
Happy Resurrection Day!
Thank you for reading and sharing.
May we know peace in the sacred space of the second day.
Shalom,
LCB
Penny says
Lucretia,
Thank you for your beautiful words this morning. I am sorry for the pain you have been through, and for your painful loss.
Blessings to you all,
Penny
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Penny!
Happy Resurrection Day!
Thank you for reading. I appreciate your words of comfort!
May we know peace in the sacred space of the second day.
Shalom,
LCB
Stephanie says
Thank you so much for sharing, Lucretia. This touched my heart❤️
Lucretia Berry says
Happy Resurrection Day, Stephanie!
Thank you for reading.
May we know peace in the sacred space of the second day.
Shalom,
LCB
Janet Williams says
Thank you Lucretia. I loved the encouraging note you wrote…and shared.. to your middle school self. The middle does feel like we are floating in the in between. I try to always remember and to share with my precious grand babies, 2 of which are approaching “the middle”. that “God knows their name” and now I also get to share your words: “The third day is coming, and you will need both hands to grasp all that it has for you.
Have a blessed Easter weekend sisters…
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Janet!
Happy Resurrection Day!
Thank you for reading and sharing. Your grandchildren are fortunate to have your encouragement and assurance!
May we know peace in the sacred space of the second day.
Shalom,
LCB
Beth Williams says
Lucretia,
We are always in a trajectory. God is moving in our lives to bring us closer to Him. This world needs the hope of the third day. It feels like we’re living in second day suspension. Wondering what is coming next. We must remember that God understands our middle frustrations & is willing to help us overcome them. People should read & re-read Psalm 139. It is almost a love note reminder of just how much God loves us. Thank you for sharing your story & wisdom with us.
Have a blessed Resurrection Day tomorrow@
Blessings 🙂
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Beth!
Happy Resurrection Day!
Thank you for reading and sharing.
May we know peace in the sacred space of the second day. May we be encouragement to those who seem suspended in the second day.
Shalom,
LCB
Sonia Scott says
Thank you for sharing this with us, I have been through stages of where I thought to be better off to be gone but to come to the point that God got this and not a easy task to do this but having Him by our side, He helps us through, depression, anxiety, overwhelming, stressed and emotional roller coaster, we have to proclaimed to God Our Heavenly Father and to give it to Him and Let go of it and not to be afraid to ask Him for Help! Hugs to you sister and Bless you! Keep sharing the story to help anyone in needed ❤️❤️❤️
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Sonia!
Happy Resurrection Day! Because he lives, we can face tomorrow.
Thank you for reading and sharing.
May we know peace in the sacred space of the second day.
Shalom,
LCB
Andri says
Thank you Lucretia. I shared this on our prayer group. So many of us need to hear that the second day is momentary, the third day is Awakening. Bless you
Lucretia Berry says
Hi Andri.
Happy Resurrection Day!
Thank you for reading and sharing.
May we know peace in the sacred space of the second day.
Shalom,
LCB
FANNETTA H GORE says
Amen. This reminds me of the seed being planted in the ground. What it has to go through in order to break the soil. In order to grow. In order to produce fruit. In order to survive. God has all we need to be sustained in this life. My God is good. Continue to encourage others with your words and in your deeds. And continue to give God the glory for all He has done and will do. Mom.
Lucretia Berry says
Hi mom!
Happy Resurrection Day!
Thank you for reading! I sincerely appreciate your words of encouragement and comfort.
May we know peace in the sacred space of the second day.
I’ll see you soon!
Shalom,
LCB