As I walked, I began to hear singing. The song was familiar, but I hadn’t heard it in a while. The melody was beautiful and perfect and made my heart rejoice. I wanted to find the singer, and as I neared the sound I finally saw him. I looked up, and on top of a tall tree, a male house finch greeted the day with the most beautiful song. I stopped for a few seconds looking up to admire him. I had to smile as I tried to imagine why he was singing so happily. Summer has ended and cooler Fall days have started to embrace this part of the world. Perhaps he was happy because he had spent the last few months raising his family and knew he had prepared his children well for life in this world. He was probably rejoicing on a job well done. Or maybe the house finch on top of the tree was a young male who had spent the Summer being raised by good loving parents, and was happy that he had been well prepared for life as an adult. Whatever the reason, I was certainly witnessing a praise session. That little bird was content and he made me feel content too.
I started thinking about how I had woken up that morning. As I slowly opened my eyes from sleep and realized it was the beginning of a new day, I had to smile. And then I smiled again because I don’t remember waking up smiling in a very long time. And I smiled some more because I knew my Heavenly Father had placed that smile on my lips.
2017 has been a difficult year for me. From January until now, Murphy Law has tried to take over my days again and again, sometimes with much success. Words like “horrible, depressing, let down, discouraging” and many others like these have been part of my vocabulary for the past several months. I have experienced loss, hurt, criticism, sadness, and disappointment. However, as God helps me to see deeper, I have also experienced love, compassion, growth, generosity, healing, and so many more amazing things. With my eyes on Jesus, who helps me focus on the good, I can wake up smiling in spite of the storm that has encapsulated me for the past few months. I pray I keep my eyes on Him at all times! As I have learned before, and I'm experiencing it again, God doesn’t waste our pain, but always makes something beautiful out of our suffering.
Several weeks before my mother passed away, she told me how she was ready to rest from it all. Hurting, I told her we were going to miss her very, very much. “You’ll be ok” she told me looking away. The first few weeks after she died I would remember her words and in the midst of my pain think that no, we were not ok, but as God does his gentle work in my life, I’m starting to see my mother was right. Moms are always right! I am ok and I shall be ok. I do miss her deeply, and often the sharp pain of my loss comes out in a stream of tears down my face. I don't know when or if that will ever end. However, my mom knew that God has promised to heal the brokenhearted and to save those who are crushed in spirit. That's how she could say we would be ok.
If you are going through a difficult time, know that God sees your pain. Not one tear you shed goes unnoticed by your Heavenly Father. He cries with you, but more than that, He is very near, embracing you with love, strength, and comfort. Simply curl up in His arms while the storm passes by. And the God who loves you more than anything, will too heal your broken heart, bind your wounds, and gently turn your pain into something beautiful.
I am content and as I was coming home from my morning jog, I decide to join the house finch in song.
I love you Lord, and I lift my voice,
to worship You, all my soul rejoice.
Take joy my King, in what You hear.
May it be a sweet, sweet sound, in Your ear.
to worship You, all my soul rejoice.
Take joy my King, in what You hear.
May it be a sweet, sweet sound, in Your ear.
"He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."
Psalm 147:3
"The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit."
Psalm 34:18
