My boys baby and toddler years have been sprinkled with tears. Although in the end the laughter outshines the cries and the smiles outnumber the tears. There is a place for tears and sometimes even scars.
Because through the tears we can see the promise. In the ashes of grief we can see God’s promise of beauty. In mourning we can see God’s promise of gladness. In despair we can see God’s promise of praise. And in the scars we see the evidence of His healing power, a display of His splendor.
and provide for those who grieve in Zion— to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of gladness instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair. They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the LORD for the display of his splendor.
Isaiah 61:3
“You’re blessed when you’re at the end of your rope. With less of you there is more of God and his rule.
“You’re blessed when you feel you’ve lost what is most dear to you. Only then can you be embraced by the One most dear to you.
Matthew 5:3-4
4 comments
Bethe77 says:
September 16, 2011 at 8:19 am (UTC -6 )
You havve perfectly stated the beauty God gives us all through the pain the tears, as well as the scars and the ashes that are there.
Have a blessed day!
Blessings
Sisters 'N Cloth says:
September 16, 2011 at 8:23 am (UTC -6 )
Beautiful… Thank you for sharing. I love those verses from Isaiah!
~Melissa, http://www.sistersncloth.com
DevotionMama says:
September 16, 2011 at 8:44 am (UTC -6 )
Because I know someone's going to ask: The pictures are of Chico. His scar is from his birth. They sliced open his leg accidentally during the C-section. Thank God this is the only scar on any of my boys.
artsyclay says:
September 16, 2011 at 8:04 pm (UTC -6 )
Our unseen scars are also a testament to His grace and power. We make mistakes, we learn, we grow, we flourish…and always, always we can lean on His love.