Thursday, May 5, 2011

Shadows


I took this picture last December, a few days after my nephew Bryce was born, at a time when I felt thick pain all around me, as if it were a physical substance. It was everywhere I turned--I bumped into it in my kitchen as I was struggling to remember how to cook. I heard it in the surface chatter of friends.

I was also clinging to God as never before. No, let me say that I remember realizing that I couldn't even hold on--I had to trust him not to let me go. In those still, painful moments of quiet before God, He began to speak His truth to my heart. I felt his discipline, but I also felt his unfathomable love.

And so when I looked out from my kitchen window and saw that the suffocatingly grey sky had been transformed by the light piercing through the clouds and spilling itself over the dull earth, I was moved to tears. There is beauty in shadow.

8 comments:

Jen Bontrager said...

I love when God uses nature to speak to us. Praying He will provide many more times of healing through nature.

Grandma Ruby said...

"The eternal God is your refuge, and underneath are the everlasting arms" (Deuteronomy 33:27). Beautiful photo of light & shadow! So glad for the comfort & peace God gives through His Word and His creation.

Carrie said...

Love you, Joyce. I think of you and Quinn about every single day.

Ann Marie said...

What beautiful thoughts coming out of an utterly painful time in your life! I'm so glad that you chose to depend on God's strength.

Deb said...

Beautifully written. I'll be thinking about you this Mother's Day. I am sure there will be moments of sorrow amidst the joy of the day. I'll pray you can hold on to the sunshine even when you're in the shadows.

Lynette Polinder said...

beautiful perspective.

maren said...

Beautiful thoughts, Joyce. Thanks for sharing!

Anonymous said...

God has shown His love in such real ways to us. For that I am so grateful, yet heartbroken at the great loss we have endured. He has fulfilled great plans, His plans, in our lives and will continue to do so as we allow Him. Love ya, Melissa