Deeper and Wider
Do you remember that little song we used to sing in church as small kids? "Deep and wide, deep and wide, there's a fountain flowing deep and wide." Even though it didn't directly mention God's love, grace, hope, or anything else, we connected it to God. I was thinking about that little song this morning as I was praying and trying to give Him my day.
Instead of singing about His grace, I was thinking about my life and how it seems to be so deep and wide at times. And then, just when things look up or seem to be a tiny bit better - everything becomes deeper and wider until my life seems like a chasm before me. Like a tourist staring at the Grand Canyon I stand and star into the deepness and wonder if it will ever make any sense at all. Who knows.
What I do know is this - that as my life situations and caregiving responsibilities seem to grow deeper and wider - so grows His grace. My "stuff" won't ever be deeper or wider than His grace or compassion. No matter how hard it gets, how long the days become, or how over-my-head-in-caregiving I feel - His grace is deeper and wider still.
And you know what's really cool? What I see as a deep, dark chasm, others perceive as beauty. Tourists drive for days for just a glimpse at the beauty carved out in the Grand Canyon. I hope when I get a reliable vehicle, that my son and I can go see it one day, too. We may be looking at it and thinking it's so deep, it's so dark, it's so overwhelming - but there is someone (like God) who sees the beauty carved out of the rocks by the violent waters that once ran through the region.
There's a beautiful canyon on the Kite Trail where I hike when I can (or at least used to) at the Wichita Mountain Wildlife area. It's called 40-foot hole and it is deep - but I stand in awe and look at the beauty. It's definitely a visual wonder. The flowers are beautiful and the scene is quite breathtaking. I'd like to think that when people see our lives, it's not the violent formation they focus on, but instead they see the beauty, growth, what grows in spite of the pain and grief.
It's easy to focus on how deep and wide our pain and struggle is, but we often need to stop and view the beauty that has grown in spite of it all. Don't you find you trust God more? (When we're not mad at Him.) Personally, my relationship with God has gotten deeper and wider as I've come to need Him and know Him more. My faith has been redefined and it is now practical and applicable. These seemingly little things are like the gorgeous flowers growing on the edge of the deep canyon of grief and pain. He will bring beauty for ashes. (Isaiah 61:3)
Today, I'll look past my pain and grief and try to purposefully find the beautiful spots that come only from trusting God with the big stuff. And when I find those colorful flowers growing in unexpected places, I'll stop. I'll let the beauty sink in, and I will thank God. If He can bring beauty out of all of this - He really is God and I can trust Him for one more day. Will you join me?
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Affirmations for Caregivers
New Release! Peace Out!
I just released the 31-day devotional Peace Out! It's in the Bible. Each day's scripture has something to do with peace - and how we can continue to enjoy it and walk in it - no matter what! It's available on Kindle and print in my Amazon bookstore and in printable ebook form on my new website Dove's Fire Publications.
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