Friday, November 28, 2014

Oh! The Majestic Light!


Psalm 8:1
Lord, our Lord, how majestic is your name in all the earth!  You have set your glory in the heavens.

It's Sunday morning.  I awaken conscious of the fact I don't feel rested.  It doesn't matter.  We have contemporary service to lead today.  I must roll out of the all-too-comfortable bed and embrace the day.

As I don slippers and robe, I hear it.  A steady rain is falling outside, tempting me in the worst way to snuggle back under the covers and slip into the land of soothing sleep.  Instead, I sigh and head for the kitchen to brew coffee.  I glance at the clock - 6:45.  I'll have to rouse Danny no later than seven.

I pour my morning glass of water, start the coffee, turn on my computer, and shuffle to the French doors to assess the grayness of this bleak day.  Yes, in my head, I know we need this rain, but in my heart, I long for sunshine.  My thoughts drift back to our recent time spent at the cabin, and I find myself missing the beautiful, if cold, weather we experienced there.


As I gaze at our deck, so pristine yesterday for our family gathering, now smothered in a damp carpet of fallen leaves, I grieve my tedious efforts to sweep it clear when obstacles have once again reared their taunting heads.





"Ouch!  Ow!"

"Danny?"  I respond in alarm as his voice infused with jagged pain pierces the silence of the house.  I am sprinting, emergency lights flashing in my mind, for the bedroom.  "What's wrong?"

"It's my back," he groans.  "It's gone out and hurts like the devil!  Why now?  Why, on Sunday when we need to lead worship?"

"Because the devil sees an opportunity," I tell him, "but we're not going to let him take it.  Don't we have those pain-relievers your dentist prescribed for your upcoming surgery?  Get some of those in you, take your shower, and I'll fetch the back brace."

With great difficulty, Danny manages to get cleaned up and dressed with my aid.  My heart breaks to see him in so much pain.  It's been years since his back has acted up, and that has been a blessing.  But of all days and times to do so?  I'm sending up lots of prayers as I try to make Danny as comfortable as he can be for the time being, asking the Lord to help Danny get through the Sunday service.

God, in His endless love and grace, provides.  Danny makes it through worship with flying colors.  But as we exit the church with the rain still pouring down, I note the strain and weariness on his face, and know I will need to wait on him, hand and foot, gladly, to ease the discomfort and make the rain in his back go away.

Our afternoon into early evening is touch and go.  The outside gloom reflects the discomfort of a persistent ache, a dreariness of the soul when pain-killers and heating pads and back braces can't fully assuage Danny's ailment.  I am consumed with concern for him.

Then, just as the sun is preparing to set, the rain ceases and the clouds recede.  The light!  Oh, the majestic light which appears, unbidden, upon the horizon!  God's glory is saturating the heavens with unbridled hope.  In spite of his condition, Danny grabs his camera and captures these wondrous photos.







Tomorrow, God promises.  Tomorrow is a brand new day full of My love, My healing, My joy, My grace.

We believe it.

We receive it.

And both Danny and I have a restful night's sleep . . .

~

When has God taken your rainstorms and turned them into sunshine?

Prayer:  Father, thank You for the tough and trying times which may make us sad and weary in the moment, but which lead us, with more open minds and hearts, to Your healing and comfort.  Help us to not miss the miracles and beauty You offer to us daily in the most ordinary things.  Let us daily praise You for Your love and grace which You lavish upon us.  In Jesus' name, we pray.  Amen.

18 comments:

  1. Beautiful post, Martha. Several years ago, I journeyed through a time where there was seemingly lost after lost (not just death). It was challenging to keep my footing. In the end, God led me out to new places where I met new brothers and sisters in Christ. New growth came out of these new places...

    Love and blessings!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Such a touching and meaningful comment you've left here today, Kim! It's so true that before new growth can come, we must allow God to prune us.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  2. There is a tenderness to this writing, Martha and lots of love and prayer too. During the dark times it certainly is difficult to find that light but we wait and keep looking don't we? Guess that is part of being faithful. Have a great weekend.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thank you, Jean, for your most caring and thoughtful comment here. Yes, that's what being faithful is all about. You have a great weekend, too!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  3. This is the verse that came to my mind:

    "Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning." (Psalm 30:5, NLT)

    Sometimes it seems to me that we don't really appreciate the light until we have to walk to it through the darkness. Valleys and deserts and wilderness seasons have a way of making the light so much more glorious. I have had back problems before, and it can be crippling - both literally and emotionally. But yes, God brings us comfort when we most need it, doesn't He?

    GOD BLESS!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Welcome, Sharon, and thank you for you most thoughtful comment! Yes, the Psalms always remind us of how walking through the depths of despair bring us into the presence of our Lord who will save us and lift us up from our trials and troubles.
      I'm sorry to hear about your back troubles, but praying that God will lessen that for you! Through Him, all things are possible.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  4. I know how that feels. My back seems to act up when I have a lot to do and no time to rest. Things always seem to get worse before they get better. "It's always darkest before the dawn".

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Often times, it is darker before the dawn, but we always need to keep the light in mind. This, too, shall pass . . .
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  5. I pray Danny is feeling better. I have back pain so I know how awful it is. Love you <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Yes, Danny is feeling much better, Nikky. Sorry that you, too, have back problems - no fun!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  6. Martha, you always find the rainbow, even in the gloomy day. Hope Danny faired well the rest of the weekend. As ever, his photos do not disappoint.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Thanks so much, Brenda, I try! Danny is much improved, and I'll be sure to let him know how much you enjoyed his photos.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  7. Martha, This is beautiful . . . both words and photos. I hope you are both feeling better today. A good night's rest is always a blessing.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Oh, yes, Deb, we are doing well and Danny's back is pretty much healed altogether. I'm so glad you enjoyed the post and the pictures!
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  8. Your post reminded me of my favourite quote:

    If you are crying because the sun has set down, your tears wont let you see the twinkling stars!

    Lovely pictures and as always a beautiful, touching post. Hugs <3

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Privy, please forgive me for taking so long to respond to you! Somehow your comment, along with Kathy's below, did not show up in my comments' feed. :(
      Oh, and I adore that quote! We miss so much beauty and opportunity around us when we linger on our sorrows.
      Love and blessings!

      Delete
  9. What a lovely post. I hope his back is better now. So glad God gave him the strength to do what he needed.

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Danny's back is still tweaking somewhat - it gets better and then it starts acting up again, but he is SO much improved since that Sunday.
      Love and blessings, Kathy!

      Delete

. . . Good Tidings of Great Joy . . .

  . . . Good tidings of great joy . . . ~Luke 2:10 Pictured above are my daughter, Sarah, son-in-law, John, and their three girls, Virginia,...