It’s 5:00pm and the rain falls light, cloud cover brings evening fast. She is just leaving work and I begin to pray. This driving in the rain is new. Driving herself everywhere is new. And I think about how holding myself rigid until that girl I gave birth to walks in the door is like opening up an old dusty book that I haven’t picked up in years.
The night I stay with the strange lady and her Siamese cats in the apartment next to ours, while my mother braves the tornado to buy groceries for our empty refrigerator. Sit frozen on an avocado footstool and stare at the television to mask the panic. Beg God silently in my head to bring her back safe. Wonder what I will do if she doesn’t . . . come back.
Violent wind beats its fists on the windows, shakes the floors and I pray for God to rescue me. Rescue her.
I remember today how He does answers my young prayer and I am thankful.
As a little girl, I lay still, stretched out in the back seat of the Volkswagen bug. My body shivers from cold and fear. We drive home from a late night party, my mother blurry-eyed from too much to drink, unable to navigate. It is early morning when the sky hovers pitch before the dawn and my bed waits empty. I ask Him to bring us home safe during those long hours, to take the wheel.
Today He reveals His heart to me in the remembering. The memories that once blister now bring thanksgiving, gratitude. Seeing the way he carries me, protects me, leads me – it restores my faith.
Because remembering with thanks is what causes us to trust – to really believe. – Ann Voskamp
Now my girl, she walks through the front door looking brave, tired from standing all day. Wondering where she can drive to next, asks if I need something from the grocery store. Makes plans with her brother for a special lunch after church.
I blow dust off the old book of memories, hold it close to my heart and return it where it lay before. Because I realize that my story is not her story and she – that daughter he gave me – is the beauty of my redemption.
What are you holding tight in worry today? Will you take a moment to look over the past, remember His faithfulness? Praying he turns your dark clouds into his glory revealed, grace raining beauty today.
O Lord my god, how great you are!
You are robed with honor and majesty.
You are dressed in a robe of light.
You stretch out the starry curtain of the heavens;
You lay out the rafters of your home in the rain clouds.
You make the clouds your chariot; you ride upon the wings of the wind.
The winds are your messengers; flames of fire are your servants. – Psalm 104:1-4
__________________________
Counting gifts with Ann today:
~the rain that finally came.
~time alone with my husband.
~seeing beauty in the mushrooms I scoop endlessly from the yard.
~a husband that takes care of details he knows I don’t like
~a drivers license for my daughter.
~the trip she makes to the grocery store for me.
~a mother-in-law who shares scripture and prays it for me.
Once again you nailed my heart!!! Thanks you.
Thanks for letting me know you were here Mary. Your encouragement is a blessing.
Just what I needed today, this reminder to remember: all those times of His help and deliverance! “Strength for today and bright hope for tomorrow…”
Thank you!
Amen Sylvia! May he strenthen your faith and give you hope today. Thanks for leaving a comment here.
I love how you worded this! My son got his license this week too. Especially, “the memories that blister now bring Thanksgiving.” Thanks for sharing.
Thanks Robin! Nice to know I am in good company.
memories that once blister now bring thanksgiving, gratitude…I love that…just beautiful.
I remember when my oldest daughter got her license…she became my personal shopper…she joyfully went to the grocery store….ran her sibling places and even would shop for cloths for me. My son’s not so much….but now I am on the last of 5…another girl….I might get another shopper again:)
Blessings~
Roseann, I am enjoying the freedom her driving gives me too. My son is still several years away from driving. I will savor the time I have him to myself in the car! Thanks for sharing with me here, I appreciate your comment.
This is my first time to visit and I’ve have had a hard day. I love your words “Because I realize that my story is not her story and she – that daughter He gave me – is the beauty of my redemption.” You have said it so beautifully and well. Thank you =)
Althea, welcome and I am so glad you visited today. Praying that the weight of a hard day lifts for you and that you feel His presence tangibly. Thanks for your kind words.
Those are beautiful pictures. And I love what you wrote. That feeling of being tense and worrying, pretending you are in control over something that is really out of your hands… so easy to slip back into, instead of remembering with thanksgiving and choosing to have faith.
Thank you! Yes, I do slip back into worry when it comes to letting go of my kids. This new season is an opportunity to go deep in trust. Glad you stopped by and left a comment!
nice….i hear you on kids…when i do worry it is usually about my boys….nice piece today…
Thanks for visiting today Brian, and for leaving your kind words!
When we see a person today we don’t often see the making of her. You gave me a bit of a look underneath the tapestry and brings a renewed choice to be thankful.
Blessings,
Pamela
So glad you got new perspecitve. What a gift! Thanks for visiting Pamela.