Sometimes the layers of sadness and brokenness and despair make it too hard to see all the beautiful.  The brightness and glory of all the good is clouded.  And all the overwhelming blessings, though they remain, seem less tangible than the sorrow.  The cynicism and darkness and pain of the world is sometimes just too thick.

Strength of heart and coldness of heart are hard to distinguish sometimes.  But eventually, both resources fail.  And my heart is just bare.

The things (and the people..and the Person) that are true and noble and lovely and right and pure and admirable and praiseworthy...are there in great abundance.  And my gratitude holds me up.  And I will think about such things.