Sometimes the memories, the feelings, and hurts from the past come back. Sometimes they come back in full force seeking to define me once again. The memory of being that one person that was neither seen nor heard by those around me, the memory of being unworthy and not ever find my place of acceptance floods my heart and mind. I can feel the brokenness and insignificance all over again, and my mind’s memory of it all is so vivid. You think that you have left certain parts of your life far behind you, and then you realize that some of it still lingers, still being carried along with you in your heart and mind. It’s the memory of painful truths, that even the distance that time provides cannot completely remove.
As hard as some of the memories can be, the darkness of them only seem to accentuate the majesty and glory of God’s light streaming into my life. I still remember the many nights as a child, a young teen, and a young adult, knelt beside my bed praying, crying in anguish and feeling alone. Although I felt alone, with a heart full of sorrow that nobody understood, I realized that God was present during every moment, wiping away every tear, and hearing every broken word that was uttered before Him. God saw me, He heard me, He was there with me, He answered me, and He provided me with a firm place for my feet to stand upon.
A dark, painful memory flooded by the Light ends up being a beautiful story!
Because of the hard moments, I learned to cherish God’s love, grace, forgiveness, presence, and the many answered prayers He has blessed me with. I learned that He gives hope to the hopeless, that He turns mourning into dancing, and I learned that there really is power in prayer. Sometimes my mind remembers those dark, hopeless nights, but now, instead of just darkness, I also see a very bright light, and we all know what light does to darkness don’t we?
When light is present, it becomes the focus. Let God’s light shine upon you and let it be the focus of your heart and mind! As a star shines radiantly against the dark night sky, so will the Lord’s presence also be for you and for me!
A dark, painful memory flooded by the Light ends up being a beautiful story! Don’t give up hope! God is doing great and beautiful things here and now!
Psalm 40:1-3
I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.
He lifted me out of the slimy pit,
out of the mud and mire;
he set my feet on a rock
and gave me a firm place to stand.
3 He put a new song in my mouth,
a hymn of praise to our God.
Many will see and fear the LORD
and put their trust in him.
Highlighting the hope that we have in Christ! 