TEARS to TRUST

[my photo]

I have waited and waited
this week
hoping that I might have a moving blog post about
TEARS
... but nothing came ...
not even the outpouring of my own floodgate of
TEARS
It's not because the readings for reflection
were not inspiring or wonderful
because each of them are
I guess that I thought
somehow
miraculously
I might have the right words to share
or a special revelation from God
I even prepared this image

The Daily Scripture Readings

John 11:17-44; Matthew 23:37-39; Matthew 26:36-46; Hebrews 5:7-10; Luke 7:36-50; Psalm 56; 2 Kings 20:1-6

Beautiful passages in Scripture, yet even with the moving portrayal of our Lord Jesus, in John 11:35, I had no TEARS as I read and reflected not even while reading the beautiful Reflections or the tender lyrics of a special song shared "TEARS are a Language God Understands"💚 I still had not allowed the healing flow of TEARS to dampen my eyes and lament the loss or many losses throughout the years. Perhaps, the many times I cried throughout those years were the TEARS for now that fail to come. Perhaps, it's because I've hardened or am still too numb. All I know is that God's perfect timing of each of these One Word focuses were to give me the strength that He knew I did not have on my own. I even searched places (like The Daily Grace I recently shared) for TEARS and there were plenty - I still have not finished. 

I do believe that TEARS are a gift of Grace from God. Psalm 56:8 tells us that "TEARS are prayers, too. They travel to God when we cannot speak." For this I've been thankful on so many occasions, and I am quite the emotional person, but I've always had struggles with grief. I even read a beautiful blog post by Lisa Appelo, and I agree with every word & way because I know that TEARS bring healing. Even if you don't need healing, you should read this and more available from her. {another new place for me} I know eventually they will come - at unexpected times and places. I even reread some Comfort books I have, but no tears. As much as all the Reflection Readings & Scriptures were wonderful, I guess this is the one I need most:

"Help me O God, Give me the courage to cry. Help me to understand that tears bring      freshly washed colors arching across the soul,      colors that wouldn’t be there apart from the rain. Help me to see in the prism of my tears,      something of the secret of who I am. Give me the courage      not only to see what those tears are revealing      but to follow where they are leading. And help me to see      that where they are leading me is home. (Windows of the Soul by Ken Gire)

[my own photos]

It's said that a 

"picture is worth a thousand words"

So

now I have expressed in 3000 words 

(not including the TEARS image) 

what I am unable to do or write

I

🙏

for Godly courage, comfort & strength

in the days ahead

I

found in the past that gathering photos

also bring healing

{So far, in this case, they have not, but I keep gathering}

I

love the image painted in Ken Gire's words:

"... TEARS bring

     freshly washed colors arching across the soul,

     colors that wouldn’t be there apart from the rain.

Help me to see in the prism of my tears ..."

and of course, I love 

"where they (the TEARS) are leading me is

HOME"

I

still live in my beautiful 7 acres of paradise

here in my earthly

HOME

I look forward 

to the years I am given here

but even more to the years

in my eternal

HOME

[my photo]

If this week, you shed TEARS, I 🙏
 that our precious Lord

held you closely

because

I know He gathers all those

TEARS

in a bottle and 

He weeps along with us

<>

I recommend strongly

GRIEF SHARE

{I shared much from this decades ago}

in the past, receiving their 

daily encouragement newsletter

was wonderful & they have so much more

resources now & groups

online & in-person

<>

My concern for my 

NO TEARS

even had me searching for what

this means

- yeah, emotional numbness -

Grief Healing

is helpful

then I came upon this, 

oddly 

TEARS for fears

{the flowers reminded me of a beautiful bouquet I recently received}

TEARS
💦
This one is much more soothing & reassuring
IN HIS TIME
so
I will TRUST Him
Oh, and that's the next One Word focus on Monday:

• Trust 1 (Tuesday in book)

• Trust 2 (Thursday in book)

• Trust 3 (Sunday in book)
• Trust 4 (Monday in book)
• Trust 5 (not in book)
• Trust 6 (not in book)
• Trust 7 (not in book)
• <>
• Once again these may not be the same as or the same order as

The Blue Book, but they are from Jim Branch
LET'S HOPE and TRUSTthat they are, or just go with the book😉[the part in ( ) is after I checked each one]
{Yeah, it's a confused mess again, sorry}So just stick with The Blue Bookbecausewe are missing Psalm 20:1-9 (Weds);Job 42:1-6 (Fri); & Luke 22:31-38 (Sat.)
but the JB blog does give us these extra Scripture Readings:Psalm 125:1-5; Philippians 4:4-9; Matthew 6:25-34 and some different Readings for Reflection

And I expect that one day

WHOLENESS

and

HEALING

will come

- that's when we will be -

HOME

{upcoming One Words}

REMEMBERING SHORTYBEAR ...

This is a REPOST from the

Lighthouse of Prayer

(2017)

<>

Our dear

DENISE

(a.k.a. Shortybear)

OLDHAM

November 20, 1963 - October 18, 2017

from Chattanooga, TN

is now at home

with

Jesus

her mama

brother Charles

sister Vicki

may

they rest in

PEACE

not a farewell or goodbye just 

until we meet

I love You Denise!

Please keep Eddie (husband), Coco, 
family and friends 

in your prayers

*1st photo is of Denise and Coco

2nd one's from Marsha

{I tried to leave my comment on Denise's post link of photo, but need blog author's approval, so I hope you approve: 

"It is my joy, honor and such a privilege to have come to know and love you, my friend and sister in Christ. Words cannot express what a true blessing you are and have been to me. You have been through so much yet I know Jesus is right there with you. 

My dear Denise (a.k.a. Shortybear) I love you and you hold a special place in my heart today and always! {shared your photo with Coco on our Lighthouse of Prayer} You are a true warrior and the sweetest spirit ever... I treasure you just being you! With a heart full of love ~Peggy

[I wanted to enable replies, like my other blog has and use this in the comments, but cannot find where to do that ... it was Oct. 2014 when this prayer team slowed down and I believe that it was because Denise was taken so ill and Alice also, then I looked at November 2014 followed by some posts in March 2016 where I attempted to try again and there I read Denise ... sharing prayers for others and participating as the best team player I could ever ask for ... indeed Denise will be missed. I have so much I'd love to write about Denise, however if you read her sweet prayers, visit her blog, you will discover how easy it is to love her ... Denise deserves a real tribute, but this and her own words and prayers are the best I have at this time. 

Thank you all for your prayers!] 

Post script: 2025 ... from Peggy. It was in 2017 that I met Denise, at her wake & funeral through her family & friends that were there & her dad. We had never met in person, only through blogging yet I couldn't feel any closer to her than if we had

known each other our whole lives. There's only one other blogger that's as close as a sister, or maybe even better than some sisters, but I have

not met her yet in person either. However, she is the best person in every way since our blogging day connection, she has remained near & dear. All 3 of us, will meet some day when God welcomes us home, and what a joyful day that will be! These 2 precious souls crossed my path through our days together blogging online & God couldn't have chosen better sisters & friends to journey together.  

I hope each one of you are as fortunate as yours truly - because though our journeys are different, each of us need special people to walk & encourage us along the way - to be there in all seasons. We miss you dear Denise! And my, how beautiful you were dressed & ready as the bride of Christ (and your Eddie) it was a pleasure & a sorrow; a treasure to have flown from MN to TN to be present with y'all gathered that October day in 2017 ... still holds a fond memory in my heart! It was an honor to be present in your "celebration of the life" of Denise "Shortybear"! Then & now, I think of her often, and she still brings me such joy.