Scriptures of Encouragement ~ Liquid Grace

Baptist Hospital beckoned through the rear view mirror, calling to my heart left behind in room 6 of the CCU. Our friend and deacon lay dying, finally surrendering to the ravages of bone cancer. It was so hard to let him go.

As we drove down the highway, approaching storm clouds rose over the distant mountains. Fingers of dark clouds, made darker by the setting sun, laced their way through the evening sky. I noticed the heavens were alive with alternating layers of darkness and light. Pops of brilliant magenta, every now and again proclaimed God's glory...regardless of the storm. Pillars of rain-bands flowed from the darkest of the clouds, their columns of liquid grace scattered all about.

The radio interrupted my silent tears. MercyMe challenged my sorrow with their song, "The Hurt and the Healer", the lyrics stirring something deep within me:

"Here I am, what's left of me, where glory meets my suffering. I'm alive, even though a part of me has died. You take my heart and breathe it back to life when the hurt and the Healer collide."

 "...where glory meets my suffering...when the hurt and the Healer collide."

I studied the evening sky as I pondered these lyrics. I saw the darkness, then the light overcome it. Again, the darkness slithered in but was overcome by the light. Repeatedly, the collision of light and darkness occurred. Randomly, magenta permeated the storm. I could clearly see the glory of God meeting the darkness of our suffering and infusing it with His Light. I thought of the shafts of rain beating down on the parched earth. They flowed from the darkest places of the storm. Just like God's grace.

My heart ached for our friend.
But my spirit rejoiced over the evidence of God's Presence in our darkest moments.

My heart lapped up the liquid grace poured out where glory met my suffering. 

"But as for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause - Who does great things and unsearchable, marvelous things without number. He gives rain on the earth, and sends waters on the fields. He sets on high those who are lowly, and those who mourn are lifted to safety" ~ Job 5:8-11.


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Are you interested in knowing a little more about me? God has honored me with a feature article in our regional newspaper, Ashe Mountain Times. It's all about my ministry and upcoming book, "If God Be For Me: The Perils of a Pastor's Wife." I stand amazed at the goodness of God.
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If you received Morning Glory via email, please visit the Morning Glory  page to be encouraged as MercyMe sings, "The Hurt and The Healer". It's an amazing song. Sweet blessings to you!