Healing through Tears?

I love how God ministers to me through song. The other day I as I turned on the radio, I heard this song by Laura Story titled Blessings. Most people when they hear the word 'blessing' think of good things, joyous things, gifts. This song challenges that thought and asks...can blessings come in raindrops? Can healing come through tears? It got me thinking. Can pain be a blessing?

Gracie's life was nothing but blessing to me...even through the sleepless nights, the seemingly unanswered prayers, and the veil of tears. She caused me to question all that I had once believed. My Sunday School answers were being shaken to the core - and it was unsettling. Trying to reconcile that even though God was strong enough and had the power to heal Gracie on earth, but was choosing not to was an excruciating reality to come to terms with.

Yet, through my journey of Grace, I came to know the heart and will of my Father. As I pressed on and delved into His Word, His truth, love and light were revealed to this breaking heart through the Spirit. Did things end the way I wanted - no. Did she receive the perfect healing I so longed for - yes. Did this 'blessing' come without cost - most definitely not. Yet, here I am over 2 years later, still breathing, still moving forward - if that is not a miracle and huge testament to Jesus and His love...I don't know what is.

We know Jesus never promised life without hardship, in fact He promised the opposite. We can expect that in this world we WILL have troubles. But the good news, the news that keeps me moving forward everyday, is that we know how this ALL ends. We know who holds the keys to life and death, it is He who holds Gracie even now. He has overcome the world. SO, if we know that eternity awaits, then doesn't that make this life and all of its trials seem a little more bearable, knowing that this is just a blip on the timeline of eternity? This is not our final destination, this is not our home.

Blessings - Laura Story
Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops
What if Your healing comes through tears
What if a thousand sleepless nights
Are what it takes to know You’re near
And what if trials of this life are Your mercies in disguise

When friends betray us
When darkness seems to win
We know the pain reminds this heart
That this is not, this is not our home...
What if my greatest disappointments
Or the aching of this life
Is the revealing of a greater thirst this world can’t satisfy
And what if trials of this life
The rain, the storms, the hardest nights
Are Your mercies in disguise

My First Article....

Thanks to your encouragement, my dear family and friends, I took the plunge and wrote an article entitled 'Beautifully Mended' and it has been published. Look for it in the May issue of the magazine 'Testimony'. The Testimony is a faith-based magazine that is connected to our church's affiliation with the PAOC.

I just want to thank all of you who have joined us on this journey. To those who were there in the valley with me and took time to read my updates and shared words of comfort and love. To those who still walk the path of grief with me and read my blog entries and comment with words of hope and encouragement! You have been a part of my healing journey, for the Potter has used each comment and word of encouragement to help smooth out the cracks of grief on my heart.

I know I don't walk alone, and for that I am so incredibly thankful.