It was one week ago today that we said see you later pop to my dad. This is what was on my heart that day.
Today we honor my dad; not his finalization, but his freedom. The last twelve days have been a tornado of emotions. Last Saturday, the day my dad truly became alive, we were gathered at his side. There had been inadequate time for me to open my Bible the five preceding days. That day seemed as if it would be the same, little time.
Then, a lull happened and everything was quiet. In hindsight, it was a unique calm, as if not of this world. One of those special moments we rarely recognize until they are written, gone from our grasp, but forever etched in our hearts.
Soft music was playing, and my mom was at my dad’s side. I sat down behind her and opened my Bible. The verse I landed on was Isaiah 45:3 ~ And I will give you treasures hidden in the darkness–secret riches. I will do this so you may know that I am the LORD, the one who calls you by name.
It was when I was reflecting briefly on this verse that my dad took Jesus’s hand. I have gone back daily since last Saturday to that same verse. In reflection, I realized it has been the truth of my travels here. These twelve days have been excruciating, and they have been extraordinary.
I know many of you are enduring dark seasons right now, too. Sometimes they become so oppressive that our eyes, ears, hearts, and minds become clouded by the dust swirling around us. When I view this world horizontally, it becomes too much to bear. When my perspective is eternal, I find gratitude even in grievous places.
God has a way of depositing hidden treasures deep in our discouragement.
It is in the dim places that the growth laden, secret riches from God’s hand become undeniably accentuated. I was not forsaken this week, and neither was anyone in my family. We have been given some heavy and layered loads, but they were not void of the promise in Isaiah 43:5. Time and time again the Lord has revealed himself. We do not drift in disillusionment alone. When Jesus is our choreographer, it is possible for our souls to dance even in darkness.
He pads our paths with priceless pearls of peace that bring grace to our grief. We must be watchful to see.
One of my biggest challenges is to abide freely in what is, rather than to shackle myself to what should be. I cannot imagine that we are that different. I pray this for us today, friends:
Father hold our hearts to a standard of hope within the haze of pervasive pain. Let us speak the truth when we tremble. Unite our hands in faith when we fear. Focus our eyes in the realm of the eternal and not the earthly. Equip us to trust where You have us, not where we think we should be. Believing in You is the inviting part, trusting You with the devastations of our lives is the intentional part. You know this of us, God. Give us fountains of gratitude in our grief and grace for our journeys. I praise you for knowing and loving us intimately enough to call us all by name. Thank you for your enduring faithfulness. Amen.