The Heart-Wrenching Beauty

During my teen years, before I had turned eighteen, I had lost all four grandparents.

I know the despair of death.

I know the look of deep sadness on my parents’ faces.

I know the quiet fear under the surface.

Lamentations 3:19-20 (MSG) I’ll never forget the trouble, the utter lostness, the taste of ashes...

I remember it all - oh how well I remember - the feeling of hitting the bottom.

But I also know the beauty of rising from the ashes, the smiles and laughter that eventually show themselves once again, and the quiet fear turned to confident hope in the future.

It’s only through God’s transforming power.

It’s only through His love.

Lamentations 3:21-27 (MSG) But there’s one other thing I remember, and remembering, I keep a grip on hope: God’s loyal love couldn’t have run out, his merciful love couldn’t have dried up. They’re created new every morning. How great Your faithfulness! I’m sticking with God (I say it over and over). He’s all I’ve got left. God proves to be good to the man who passionately waits, to the woman who diligently seeks. It’s a good thing to quietly hope, quietly hope for help from God. It’s a good thing when you’re young to stick it out through the hard times.