Three Years of Grace...

The moments of our days oftentimes pass unnoticed as we meet our daily demands. Once the day is finished they are seemingly lost in a sea of forgetfulness. But there are those precise and determined ones that will never be forgotten, when life seemingly stood still. Ours happened three years ago today when we were awakened out of a sound sleep to a phone call telling us our youngest son had taken his life.

Remembering happier times...

I’ve reflected back over these last 3 years and hunted for moments of His grace, determined to find His redeeming power. They are there, you know.... scattered among the pathway of our darkest trials, even though it's sometimes hard to see them in the canyon of our grief. God has promised to take those dark moments and redeem them into something for our good and His glory. (Romans 8:28-30) Living in the knowledge of this promise has given continued hope to face each new day and the moments that are ahead.

 I feel as if I have been a 'slow learner' at times. I've stumbled and lived grief imperfectly.  But His faithfulness has been a constant thread ...  and I know, beyond a shadow of a doubt, that He has been my nearest companion.

The eternal God is your dwelling place, and underneath are the everlasting arms. Deuteronomy 33:27 ESV

Mom and KJ at the county fair where he showed his goats.

Today, as I look back, I see the skillfulness of the master Weaver's tapestry. By His grace, He has woven those dark moments alongside lighter and more brilliant colors. The dark threads remain and we live with the remembrance of them daily. But, the contrast has caused the darker threads to take on a new meaning just as they do in the finished work of a woven cloth. Many of those lighter colors display the redeeming power of His grace as He met us in our weakness.

But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” 
2 Corinthians 12:8 ESV

Brothers

Each new thread of grace shines bright the love of God and His nearness to us through a heartbreaking season of our lives.

Brother and sister enjoying the baby goats he helped deliver.

So today,  I look again in hope to my Savior's caring face, with all the unanswered questions, doubts and fears and

by His grace…

declare again…

in THIS moment…

that I WILL rejoice IN the LORD

Not for what happened

but

that in the midst of great sorrow and grief

He has remained faithful 

and has given His grace to sustain and strengthen us!


~~~

… yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will be joyful in God my Savior. 
Habakkuk 3:18 NIV

Beauty for ashes, the oil of joy for mourning, the garment of praise for the spirit of heaviness.
Isa. 61:3 NKJV

~~~


Still… I will praise You! 


Your presence was constant, Your Word remained true.
The gentleness of your ways, color the future a soft hue.
Though dark times are woven into the tapestry called life,
Still I will praise you, hope glistens bright.

Still I will praise you, when all may seem lost,
When death or sickness or ruin onslaught.
Your grace has upheld, in my weakness made strong
Remembering life on earth is temporary, not long.

If not now, in this hard place, then when praise your name?
If not in this moment, promoting your fame.
Then when, dear Savior,will the time be right?
Redeeming the grief, your grace shines bright.

So today in this moment, today at this time.
I lift my voice to heaven, making your glory prime.
For you have been my Shepherd, through the darkness and light,
Your comfort and presence have put despair to flight.

Still  … I will praise you!

 by  Georgene
January 19, 2014