This has been a lovely, breezy spring. Cooler than usual with a soft wind that reminds me of my childhood. One of my favorite memories is playing outside on a windy day, filled all the way up with hope and happiness. Remember the uncomplicated joy of just being? Awake and alive and open to all life could offer?

And now I am awakened to much more. Hard paths and sorrows. Tears and burdens. But so many blessings and a heart still filled with joy. A rich tapestry of memories and days.

No suffering can erase God’s kindness–He draws me close through all of it.

Mother’s Day was last week, and it was sweet. So much to be grateful for. Surrounded by love. Yet three years since my mom has gone home to glory. And my Marissa–the short days of mothering her a blur on the pages.

I weep at the layers of suffering around me–some so deep that only God can touch them. The refining fire so hot that I can only watch and pray.

It’s a groaning world, isn’t it?

I feel the longing every day. The yearning in my own struggling, fragile heart.

The heavy burden of sorrow I’m praying others through, death and its darkness sitting very close. An enemy, though not a victor.

Still, your whole world can change in a moment.

The groaning echoes on and on.

But I know its cause and I’m grateful for its cure.

The changeless One. Jesus.

His love and His redemptive work.

His gifts–our eternal treasures. A future filled with light for those who follow Him.

And grace in this world. A portion for pain, a portion for valleys, a portion for sorrows.

A portion for dying, and for those left behind, a portion for walking on.

Meted out for each battle, enough and more than enough.

Comforting and soothing and filling us up.

Like a gentle breeze on a spring day.

Grace on top of grace.

And God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work. 2 Corinthians 9:8

Remember your word to your servant, in which you have made me hope. This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life. Psalm 119:49-50

The Lord is good, a stronghold in the day of trouble; he knows those who take refuge in him. Nahum 1:7