pools of blessing

“When they walk through the Valley of Weeping, it will become a place of refreshing springs where pools of blessing collect after the rains!” Psalm 84:6

 “immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy;” 2 Corinthians 6:10

My child,

Because I will go with you through the painful valleys of your life, my presence can transform your sorrow into something supernatural, beautiful and life-giving. I can cause eternal beauty to blossom from the broken ground of your heart.

If you will let me, I can sow my peace, comfort, love, truth, joy and endurance into those deep fissures of pain. Your tears are not wasted. From the wellspring of your sorrow, I can create refreshing springs and pools of blessing to revive and encourage you and others.

Please allow me to redeem your grief. I am the God of creation and re-creation. I can create something glorious from what is formless and void. But I can also reanimate the ruins of your life to create a stunning display of my splendor.

I love you,

Abba

My Abba,

Once again this morning, you have given me a precious glimpse of your beauty. My circumstances pale in the light of your love. I still hurt, but as the song says, my afflictions are eclipsed by your glory, when I realize just how beautiful you are and how great your affections are for me. *

I love the imagery of you creating reservoirs of refreshment from my tears. What a redemptive picture!  I, also, find comfort in Paul’s comment on the mystery of suffering while experiencing joy in your presence …“immersed in tears, yet always filled with deep joy;” I can’t fully comprehend how I can mourn my circumstances and rejoice in you at the same time. But I know it happens.

I guess you experience sorrow and joy at the same time as you walk with us in this world. All in one moment, some of those you love are suffering atrocities while someone else is giving birth to the beautiful baby for whom she fervently prayed.

Some are brutally persecuted while others reach their greatest pinnacles. Some are perishing while others receive the gift of eternity with you. That is hard to wrap my mind around. But if you experience joy and sadness simultaneously, I feel less troubled by this emotional paradox in which I walk.

I choose to trust you today to engage in profound re-creation in my life. I know one spring rain can cause the desert floor to burst with beauty. Take the arid landscape of my circumstances and create a supernatural oasis where we can drink from your fountain of delights.

I love you,

Mollie

photo: pawel opaska

*(paraphrased excerpt), “how he loves,” david crowder band