When a person receives unforeseen news that is of a devastating nature, the world takes on quite a different look than it had only a moment prior. The darker colors outdoors appear to be abnormally dismal, the still-leafless branches on the trees seem to be in the foreground of any view regardless of where one looks, and the jaggedness of last year’s thistles stand out in stark relief against the background of the pale, new growth of spring. The world looks ‘off’ and seems to match the numbness from the intense pain residing in the heart.
Psalm 31:9-10 “Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.”
Such was the case today for me. Numb from the news of the telephone call, I wandered outside to retreat into the privacy of the garden where my tears could flow freely and I could speak plainly to the Lord of the deep pain in my heart. I sought for some tangible sign of hope to ease the ache that had suddenly taken up residence in my soul. And, as is just like our Father, I found it in quite an unexpected way.
Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
It was not that many days ago that I had been in the yard and saw a lone dandelion standing proud and tall against the edging where it was safe from the blade of the lawnmower. Its bright yellow flower petals had been gleaming in the sunshine and it seemed to live unmindful of its reputation as a weed that people spent so much time and effort trying to eradicate from their perfectly manicured lawns.
During my trip to the garden today, I espied it again, only to find the remnants of that happy-colored flower of yesterday in the form of a perfectly rounded seed head. Its blooming season had ended and the seeds were poised so as to be caught up by the wind and borne to a new home where they could patiently wait for the next season to show their bright yellow heads to the world once more.
It was in this dandelion that I saw a reminder of the assurance of hope that has been promised to us as God’s children.
Job 14:5 “A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.”
Just like the dandelion, we each have our season on this earth. God alone knows the length of time given to every one of us. For that brief span of time, we grow, bloom and shine brightly in the life He has gifted to us. And when the time allotted to us has been fulfilled, He calls us home to Him.
Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”
During our lifetime, we release seeds (figuratively speaking) into other people’s lives that will remain long after we are gone. While an individual may no longer be physically present with us, these seeds will gently remain in us as sweet reminders of the one who released them.
Psalm 112:7 “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”
I thought that after the news of today that I would be full of ‘why’ questions. Why her? Why when she was so young? Yet I could not question the God who knew the length of her life before she was ever born. We were blessed to have her for nineteen years. Instead, with tears streaming from my eyes, I looked heavenward then proclaimed loudly through the sobs caused from the deep ache in my heart, “Even so, I trust in You and in Your timing. And I trust in the promise You gave of everlasting life for all those who believe. I will see her again one day.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Until the time comes for us to begin everlasting life with Him, we have His promises of complete care for all that we need in this life.
Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Truly we are here for but a moment. What will you do with it? What will you do with Him? The choice is yours. He’s waiting for you.
(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)
Dedicated to Maria Kathleen Elias
February 22, 1994 – April 18, 2013
Look for us by the gate. We’ll be there before we know it.
Psalm 31:9-10 “Be merciful to me, O Lord, for I am in distress; my eyes grow weak with sorrow, my soul and my body with grief. My life is consumed by anguish and my years by groaning; my strength fails because of my affliction, and my bones grow weak.”
Such was the case today for me. Numb from the news of the telephone call, I wandered outside to retreat into the privacy of the garden where my tears could flow freely and I could speak plainly to the Lord of the deep pain in my heart. I sought for some tangible sign of hope to ease the ache that had suddenly taken up residence in my soul. And, as is just like our Father, I found it in quite an unexpected way.
Psalm 23:4 “Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.”
It was not that many days ago that I had been in the yard and saw a lone dandelion standing proud and tall against the edging where it was safe from the blade of the lawnmower. Its bright yellow flower petals had been gleaming in the sunshine and it seemed to live unmindful of its reputation as a weed that people spent so much time and effort trying to eradicate from their perfectly manicured lawns.
During my trip to the garden today, I espied it again, only to find the remnants of that happy-colored flower of yesterday in the form of a perfectly rounded seed head. Its blooming season had ended and the seeds were poised so as to be caught up by the wind and borne to a new home where they could patiently wait for the next season to show their bright yellow heads to the world once more.
It was in this dandelion that I saw a reminder of the assurance of hope that has been promised to us as God’s children.
Job 14:5 “A person’s days are determined; you have decreed the number of his months and have set limits he cannot exceed.”
Just like the dandelion, we each have our season on this earth. God alone knows the length of time given to every one of us. For that brief span of time, we grow, bloom and shine brightly in the life He has gifted to us. And when the time allotted to us has been fulfilled, He calls us home to Him.
Psalm 116:15 “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.”
During our lifetime, we release seeds (figuratively speaking) into other people’s lives that will remain long after we are gone. While an individual may no longer be physically present with us, these seeds will gently remain in us as sweet reminders of the one who released them.
Psalm 112:7 “He will have no fear of bad news; his heart is steadfast, trusting in the Lord.”
I thought that after the news of today that I would be full of ‘why’ questions. Why her? Why when she was so young? Yet I could not question the God who knew the length of her life before she was ever born. We were blessed to have her for nineteen years. Instead, with tears streaming from my eyes, I looked heavenward then proclaimed loudly through the sobs caused from the deep ache in my heart, “Even so, I trust in You and in Your timing. And I trust in the promise You gave of everlasting life for all those who believe. I will see her again one day.”
John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life.”
Until the time comes for us to begin everlasting life with Him, we have His promises of complete care for all that we need in this life.
Psalm 23 “The Lord is my shepherd, I lack nothing. He makes me lie down in green pastures, he leads me beside quiet waters, he refreshes my soul. He guides me along the right paths for his name’s sake. Even though I walk through the darkest valley, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with oil; my cup overflows. Surely your goodness and love will follow me all the days of my life, and I will dwell in the house of the Lord forever.”
Truly we are here for but a moment. What will you do with it? What will you do with Him? The choice is yours. He’s waiting for you.
(For more information about forming a relationship with the Lord, see How You Can Find Him located at the top of this page.)
Dedicated to Maria Kathleen Elias
February 22, 1994 – April 18, 2013
Look for us by the gate. We’ll be there before we know it.
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