Beauty Unveiled

2009 has not started out the way I had thought it would at all. Yet, in the midst of unexpected storms I am finding God's Beauty all around me. Beauty is something that speaks to every soul on earth. Beauty inspires great works art, moving symphonies, passionate poetry and we are all capable of experiencing it. But there is something about beauty that speaks to the absolute core of a woman. Beauty is the image of God we women bare and it is the language in which He nurtures our very souls with. Have you ever stopped to wonder why it is a woman takes so much time primping and preening her hair and makeup. Or why she takes such pride in decorating her home with wondrous treasures. Or why she spends years establishing a garden filled with multitudes of blossoms and colors. It is because beauty is in every fiber of her being.

So here I am. The last month or so now not being filled with much beauty for me. Actually I should clarify that I haven't allowed myself much time to enjoy beauty lately. However, this week God spoke beauty to me when He knew I needed it most. Anyone who knows where I live knows that there are not too many clear days where the sky is blue and the grass is green. Thursday was one of those days though. As I drove down the freeway towards town to meet my best friend for lunch I could see the snow covered mountains on the horizon. The closer I got the more they became this beautiful backdrop that absolutely took my breath away. And in that moment I could hear God whisper to my heart. "This beauty is yours. It captures you because I made you to enjoy beauty, because I enjoy beauty and you are made in my image." Talk about your WHOA God moment, but there it was. God revealing Himself to me in the form of His beautiful creation. I was struck. My heart rejoiced in a God who in the midst of stress and pain and trials chose to remind to see the beauty He has created for and in me.

An Unexpected Storm

I was sure by now
God you would have reached down
And wiped our tears away
Stepped in and saved the day
But once again, I say “Amen”, and it’s still raining

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear Your whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as You mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I’ll praise You in this storm
And I will life my hands
For You are who You are
No matter where I am
Every tear I’ve cried
You hold in Your hand
You never left my side
And though my heart is torn
I will praise You in this storm

I remember when
I stumbled in the wind
You heard my cry
You raised me up again
My strength is almost gone
How can I carry on
If I can’t find You

As the thunder rolls
I barely hear You whisper through the rain
“I’m with you”
And as Your mercy falls
I raise my hands and praise the God who gives
And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills
Where does my help come from?
My help comes from the Lord
The Maker of Heaven and Earth

The words of this song have become my constant prayer these last few days. On Thursday I found out that my Nana had passed away. And while it was my full intent to begin my blog on a much happier note, I think I would much rather reflect on the emotions of the moment.

It seems like since I heard the news that my life has been stuck in slow motion. Every thought, action, minute in time has slowed to the pace of a snail. I have run the gamut of emotions from anger to sadness to disbelief to praise and through it all God has been my constant. I know that many would find it hard to praise God in a moment like this, but for me it seems like the only thing that makes sense right now. To understand this you have to understand my thinking behind it. I have come to understand that death is part of the life cycle. It is a direct result of the falleness of man. Yet we are not left without hope. God saw the falleness of His children and He reached out to them. God sent His Son to be a living sacrifice that we may have eternal life in Him.

This is how I am able to keep going. I praise Him for His Son and the hope that He brings. I praise Him because I know that tonight my Nana is rejoicing in Heaven with her Savior. I praise Him because I had 23 years to share in the life of a wonderful woman. I praise Him because I know He will never give me more then I can handle. I praise Him because as I grieve He hold my heart in His loving hands and offers me peace.

I ask that as my family is dealing with this loss that you will keep us in your prayers. Pray that all those who grieve find peace.