May 5th 2016 marked my daughter’s 12th birthday.
She passed away several years ago, but we celebrate still.
In the heart of tradition, our family gathers ‘round.
Hands joined. Heads bowed. Prayers whispered. Tears escape. Balloons released. Quiet.
We often associate grace with that which is pleasant.
The gift of salvation from a loving God to a less-than-deserving people.
The parent who gladly receives home their wayward child.
The man who forgives his wife of an adulterous relationship.
The boss who extends leniency to a recovering addict.
The mother who cradles a healthy baby in her arms, after years of infertility.
This is grace.
But what of the hard things?
The child who lives under the constant scrutiny of a father’s disapproval.
The young man whose parents have forever disowned him.
The husband who signs papers through tear-stained eyes.
The woman whose momentary relapse costed her job.
The young newlywed who will never conceive a child of her own.
Are there not patterns of grace woven throughout?
John Newton, the author of the beloved hymn, Amazing Grace, once penned these words:
“Afflictions are useful, and in a degree necessary, to keep alive in us a conviction of the vanity and unsatisfying nature of the present world, and all its enjoyments; to remind us that this world is not our rest, and to call our thoughts upwards, where our true treasure is, and where our heart ought to be.”
There is a longing for heaven that erupts in our hearts, in the aftermath of adversity.
We become increasingly aware that this present world is not our true home.
That which once satisfied, now leaves a void.
We struggle to find balance between yearning for home, and discovering contentment.
Yet, I’m convinced that our eyes would not comprehend the beauty before us, if not for the darkness behind.
The sun shines the brightest on the heels of the longest night.
The sea’s calm boasts the loudest in the wake of a raging storm.
The Spring adorns her beauty most magnificently on the peak of a barren winter.
Perhaps Paul says it best in his letter to the Corinthians:
“We don’t yet see things clearly. We’re squinting in a fog, peering through mist. But it won’t be long before the weather clears and the sun shines bright! We’ll see it all then. See it as clearly as God sees us; knowing Him directly as He knows us!” ~1 Corinthians 13:12, The Message.
There is a beauty that cannot be seen, except through the lens of affliction. One has a greater appreciation of the sweet, only after they’ve tasted the bitter. #griefdisguised #grace #grief #loss Share on X
Is this not all grace?
Some of the most impressive people I have known, are those that have not only endured adversity, but came to embrace it.
They sought to recover the gift that oft lies behind the agony.
Like Jacob, they wrestled with God until they received the blessing.
Theirs was a relentless pursuit of grace.
Beautiful, painful grace.
At home, the children dance with excitement as they watch their carefully chosen balloons make their journey heavenward.
Laughter explodes. Dresses twirl. Clouds part. Hope springs. Faith rises. Grace.
All of this- grace.
Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound,
That saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.
“There is beauty that cannot be seen except through the lens of affliction.” This is so very true. I’ve seen this in my own life. God comes to make beautiful things out of the dust of our lives. I’m so thankful for His grace.
Yes! Me too. 😉
Thanks for stopping by.
Btw- I’m working on adding your button to my site. I’m a little slow…but thank you for the opportunity to link up!
this is the best spell caster i know He cast spells for different purposes like(1) If you want your ex back.
(2) if you always have bad dream
(3) You want to be promoted in your office.
(4) You want women/men to run after you.
(5) If you want a child.
(6) You want to be rich.
(7) You want to tie your husband/wife to be yours forever.
(8) If you need financial assistance.
(9) HIV/AIDS CURE
(10) is the only answer to that your problem of winning the lottery
Contact him today on oseremenspelltemple@gmail.com
This is a message that is sorely missing from most churches today. Grace is that which carries us in the middle of our storms and continues to lift us even when we’re left picking up pieces when the storm leaves destruction in its wake. Thank you for the reminder to embrace adversity and let the abundance of God’s grace flow.
God’s AMAZING grace!!! I can see no other way. 🙂
Thanks for visiting! <3
So true (and so easy to forget). Thank you for sharing these reflections on your daughter (and how you celebrate her) with us. <3
I appreciate you stopping by! 😉
Blessings! <3
What a beautiful post! Thank-you for sharing such a personal story.
I agree, God’s grace is amazing! God bless and thank-you for visiting my blog. : )
Glad you came to visit!
Blessings to you. <3
This is beautiful. Thank you for sharing these words. <3 "There is a longing for heaven that erupts in our hearts" – my dad died about 2 months ago and that statement could not be more true! This resonated with me so much.
Anna, I’m very sorry to hear about the loss of your dad. 🙁
Heaven never became so real to me, or desired, until after my loss.
Thankful we have a God in heaven who cares for our loved ones until the day we meet again.
Praying for you as you journey through the difficult passages of grief. May the “God of all comfort” hold you during this time, and may you draw comfort from His arms.
Thank you for sharing with me.
Much love to you <3
Rachel, thank you for joining us at #FaithOnFire! I started blogging after having a miscarriage, so your tender tradition of remembering your little love touched me deeply.
I am thankful for His grace. I’d be lost without Him.
Looking forward to reading more from you int he days ahead!
Blessings,
Lyli
Thank you, Lyli.
I am new to blogging, but I am enjoying every minute of it! I especially love all of the new connections, and friendships that come with it.
The link ups have been such a gift. So many wonderful, talented writers! It is a joy to read all of the submissions.
Thank you for taking the time to stop by my blog! <3
“Are there not patterns of grace woven throughout?” I appreciate your beautiful writing about grace amidst the hard. Sweet words learned through the fire of adversity. Thank you for this post. Blessed to be your neighbor at #Faithn’Friends.
Thank you for your kind words, Sandra. I appreciate you stopping by, and I look forward to exploring your site later today! 😉
Blessings!
Hi, did you know there are spells to win love back from an ex. I have done it. I love reading about relationships and how to make them work, how to better the relationship, and how to keep the spark alive, even how to talk to them a certain way to get them to think a different way about the situation and you. If you need advice or want to win your ex back, try DR EMU copy and message on the following ( Email: emutemple@gmail.com ) or ( WhatsApp: +2347012841542 ) It will change your mentality and get you what you want.
this is the best spell caster i know He cast spells for different purposes like
(1) If you want your ex back.
(2) if you always have bad dream
(3) You want to be promoted in your office.
(4) You want women/men to run after you.
(5) If you want a child.
(6) You want to be rich.
(7) You want to tie your husband/wife to be yours forever.
(8) If you need financial assistance.
(9) HIV/AIDS CURE
(10) is the only answer to that your problem of winning the lottery
Contact him today on oseremenspelltemple@gmail.com