THERE IS LIGHT!

I've just met Emily at Her blog - Chatting at the Sky

From what I've read, I think we may be kindred spirits...to some extent at least. She has something she does every first Tuesday - she opens her blogs to posts from other women who have something to share.

 

It's the "celebrating" part of the statement that caught my attention, for at this time in my life I'm feeling more the "messy and the unexpected" over the lovely.

Life truly can catch us unaware. It can trample us under foot. It can leave us broken, wounded, and in complete despair. At least that's what the enemy would love to see happen. He's been shooting flaming arrow after flaming arrow until that just wasn't enough and he decided to come in like a roaring lion and threaten to tear our family to shreds.

His attempts have shaken our world. Our happy little home has been wounded, but that doesn't mean it won't heal. There are days when I am reduced to tears by the prospect of another day of dealing with what has happened and wondering if I can really manage to go to work and act as if nothing is wrong. But I manage. There are nights when I lay next to my husband, a true warrior - one who never really cries - and I wonder if I should tell him he cries in his sleep? Heart wrenching to say the least.

But I'm not writing this to have a pity party. No...I am writing this to share that in the midst of darkness there is always LIGHT. It's true! I've seen it, day-after-day.
Every morning whether I want it to or not the sun STILL comes up.
There is light.
Every day my daughters still laugh and smile and even the mischevious gleam in their eyes are back.
There is light.
Every day I awake next to my amazing man and am so thankful he is here and every day I walk out in the brisk North Dakota cold and remember how good it is to breathe!
There is light.
Every day I snuggle up in my favorite corner of our soft leather couch (yes...it's a "weathered leather" and it's glorious and so comfy it literally SNUGGLES you!) I grab my favorite book (my NLT Bible) and my journal and I spend time with my best friend. Here is where I find strength for the journey. It is here that I see truth and light and gear up for the battle ahead.
There is Light!

I love skyping with my eldest daughter and seeing my precious Hannah as she dances and sings as only an 18-month-old can do. It is incredible watching her grow leaps and bounds and seeing how carefree her life is. I love anticipating the appearance of my new grandbaby. I love seeing my Kenzi make friends here in lonely North Dakota and "get a life." I love little blessings that the Lord chooses to give us when we least expect it. There is light.

For I have found that when you realize that the battle is not yours but the Lord's, your load is lightened and you can once again focus on the important things in life. "For My yoke is easy to bear and the burden I give you is light." (Matt. 11:30)

Yes, my life is messy and yes, the unexpected hit with a vengeance - but we are hanging on and we are grateful for every moment we have because the battle belongs to the Lord and in Him THERE IS LIGHT!