Grace in the In-Between: Holding On When Life Feels Unsteady

Title: "Grace in the In-Between: Holding On When Life Feels Unsteady" By Melissa A. Johnson

Scripture Anchor:

“The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.”

— Lamentations 3:22–23 (ESV)

Blog Post:

There’s a unique kind of sorrow that comes when life shifts in more ways than one. It’s not just the grief of a single loss—it’s the collective ache of layers unraveling all at once. I've found myself there lately, in a space where my emotions are being tested, stretched, and anchored more deeply than ever before.

Two years ago, my son was killed. Nothing prepares you for that kind of heartbreak. The journey for justice has been long, and at times, nearly unbearable. And just as I began to navigate that pain, new uncertainties emerged.

As a federal employee, I’ve spent the past 16 years investing in work that matters—especially in the area of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. But now, everything I’ve known professionally is shifting. DEI efforts are being halted. Stability is uncertain. I was offered an early retirement, but I didn’t take it. And while I stand by that decision, I’m also facing the very real possibility of being riffed or forced to transition without the safety net I expected.

Add to that the possibility of a move—and the financial strain that looms behind it—and I’m once again carrying more than I thought I could bear.

And yet, in the middle of it all, God’s grace and mercy have not left me. I wake up every morning and somehow, miraculously, His presence meets me there. Quiet. Steady. New mercies. It’s not the loud kind of breakthrough faith—but the still, resolute kind that whispers, “You are held.”

I’m learning that the “in-between” is sacred space. It’s where we grieve the life we knew, question the unknown ahead, and still find ourselves clinging to the hope that God is faithful, even here. I don’t have all the answers, but I do have this truth: the same God who carried me through the valley of my son’s death is walking with me through every uncertain turn ahead.

To the woman, and man, reading this who feels overwhelmed by transitions... You are not alone. Your grief is valid. Your fears are seen. And your faith, though tested, is producing something eternal. God is not waiting for you to get to the other side—He is in this very moment with you. His love hasn’t ceased. His mercy hasn’t failed. His faithfulness is still your portion.

Breathe. Rest. Wait quietly.

God is working, even in the waiting.

Prayer:

Lord, You know the weight I’m carrying—the loss, the transitions, the uncertainty. Thank You for meeting me in the in-between. Anchor my emotions to Your faithfulness and help me to trust You, even when I don’t see the way forward. You are my portion. I will hope in You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.