A Day of Holding and Beholding

Yesterday was the kind of day I want to remember forever! I don’t know which touched me more — getting to spend the day holding my new little grandson after his 52-day stay in NICU or beholding my daughter in her new role as a mother.  Both have done a number on my heart!

As I spent the day with Luke and held him in my arms,  I strangely discovered he filled a part of my heart that I didn’t even know was empty.  How can someone so little do something so big?

And, as I watched my daughter in her new role as mother, there was even more joy splashed on my day. It’s been a long road, with its ups and downs, and twists and turns for her, but we’ve both come to discover that it’s through the difficult, heart-wrenching losses and challenges in our life that we often grow the most.  A fresh and new perspective can be gained in the process, if we’ll keep our hearts and Bibles open. I learned this first-hand 32 years ago when my first son was still born. That is when my pursuit for Christ became my passion, and I began the process of going deeper and believing even if I didn’t have all the answers to my questions.

Keeping my heart open to the truths and promises that are written in God’s word is what I’ve come to depend on and lean on — especially during the tough seasons of life — the seasons that seem to last too long and on some days seem too hard to bear.  When you can only cry out, “Lord, help!”

Psalm 107:28-30 (NLT) has been my “go-to” verse for many years:

“Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble and he saved them from their distress.

He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves.

What a blessing was that stillness as he brought them safely into harbor!

Yesterday I got to BEHOLD once again the promise of this verse and the faithfulness of my loving Father God. He always comes through — in His perfect timing!

We’re all on individual journeys in life that will deepen our faith — if we’ll allow them. We don’t want to miss the pearl because of the storm. So, hang on if you’re in a hard spot right now. It will pass, and you’ll be stronger on the other side. You will. The harbor awaits!

With my whole heart,

Diane