The world outside my window is cased in ice, thick like crystal glass. Hints of morning light begins to break through the dense cloud cover casting sparkling light across the landscape. A cardinal serves as an exclamation point against the white wintry backdrop.
It’s a Visual for Me in this Current Life Season
The beauty of the ice is stunning.
The danger of the ice is daunting.
It’s a visual of what I’m experiencing in this current life season: The blending of joy and sorrow, the conundrum of blessed and broken. How can they coexist? Opposites, yet completing one another to make a whole.
A brisk wind sent a flurry of cardinals into the safety of the apple tree. Their crimson feathers popped against the glistening branches, exclamation points defiant to the harsh winter landscape. The Spirit of the Lord quickened to me the image of my Jesus as He shed His blood so that I might have eternal life and live forgiven and free.
I now realize that the day of my salvation was an exclamation point against the harsh reality of a soul lost and alone in this world — an exclamation point of crimson blood.
One that provides everlasting joy regardless of my circumstances, for He is my joy … and He is with me.
One that leads me to the altar of His love to offer my difficulties, and create beauty from the sacred ashes.
When life is hard and our reality is harsh, the presence of God is our very joy in the sorrow. It is His presence that brings the blessing of restoration from our brokenness, and hope to our despair. He is the exclamation point that awakens my spirit to praise Him when I don’t understand, and love Him no matter what.
As the sunlight broke through the clouds, the ice encasing all that was around me shone like diamonds beneath a jeweler’s light. Without the light, the ice remained harsh and destructive, but with the light, came transformation into beauty.
Lord, Your Presence is an Exclamation Point Bringing Joy to My Sorrow
I caught a glimpse of a cardinal that remained in the apple tree, his crimson feathers more brilliant as he warmed himself in a stream of sunlight. I knew he was a reminder of the ever-abiding presence of the Lord.
Thank You, Lord, for loving me. Thank You for being my joy in the sorrow, and my blessed assurance in the brokenness. You are faithful, You are merciful … You are my sure place. I will look with expectancy for Your mighty hand, Your exclamation points bringing the extraordinary to my ordinary days. You, Lord, are my beauty in the ashes. I love You, Lord.
Selah
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Thank you so much for stopping by. I would love for you to share what’s on your heart in the comments below. Scroll a little farther down and you’ll see where you can leave your comments. Together, we can find the nearness of God in our darkest moments.
Sweet blessings to you,
Thank you for this Nan. My daughter will be leaving the shelter she is in by June to live with my ex wife and my ex’s boyfriend, a very strained relationship between those two, and I have been praying for God for a good transition as they struggle to find a new apartment by June as well and peace in the matter, and what and how God wishes me to help. I would appreciate your prayers as you are led as well, and thank you. I continue to keep you and David in prayer.Thanks Nan, God bless us all
Thank you for letting me know. This is a time to trust that the Lord is working everything together for your daughter’s good as we pray for her. I believe He is working. We may not understand, but when we can’t trace His hand, we must trust His heart. I’m covering you and your family in my prayers right now, Nan