“Death is swallowed up in victory
O death, where is your victory?
O death, where is your sting?”
For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. How we thank God, who gives us victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ our Lord! ~I Corinthians 15:55-57
I just wanted to step in here a minute to say that our family is living with some sadness that came from the loss of our dog this weekend. Tears still trigger easily but comfort comes in the outpouring of love from friends and family through comments on my post yesterday and on Facebook. I am so touched, thank you.
I took these photos earlier this week, messing around in the light coming through my tall dining room window. Capturing the beauty of flowers to divert death knocking its ugly hand on our door. And I just have to say that I see an outline of an arm reaching for those flowers shadowed there on my wall (top photo). Do you see it?
God is good, He is with us, He reigns victorious!
Linking with these wonderful friends for Sunday reflection:
So sorry to hear about the loss of your family member. Comfort will come with the memories of your pet’s everyday rompings. The photos are lovely–the lights and shadows intensify the details.
Time heals wounds of sorrow. Right now everything is new and that feels far away. But you are right, looking at all the photos really helps me to find joy. Appreciate your kind comment.
Love the Amarillas! That is a wonderful verse, and a great reminder of His love.
I’m so sorry for the loss of your darling one, and I see the arm, and though giving you the amarillas.
Thinking of you today, sister friend.
Diane, I was thinking about you yesterday and wondering how you are. It was nice to see you here this morning. Appreciate your prayers!
Beautiful! What a great reminder in the time of sorrow. I’m so sorry to hear about your dog. Pets become such an important part of our lives. Praying comfort for your family!
Thank you for your prayers. We don’t realize how much they really are a part of our family until they are gone. The pictures I have been looking at make me realize he was there with us through an awful lot.
Just this morning I read a portion from the book, Future Grace. Back in the garden where God was meant to be our all in all…and then death entered the picture.
We were meant for life, abundant life.
My sister just went through this sadness also with their much loved pet.
Words seem never enough.
Yes, sometimes the heartbreak suffocates the words for me. But time, it is our friend in sorrow. Thanks so much for visiting with me today. All the comments are God’s hands extended.
I am so sorry to hear about your dog. I am so thankful He turns our sorrows into JOY! Your photos are beautiful, and yes, I see the arm!
Thanks Barbie, for your empathetic words of encouragement. And I am glad I’m not the only one who sees that arm extended there!
I am sorry to hear about the loss of your dog. 🙁 Animals are such a special part of our family, they bring us so much joy. I will be praying for you all, that God will come in and give you comfort during this time.
Blessings,
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Loss is always hard no matter how prepared we are. When we got the diagnosis of the cancerous tumor in his mouth we knew this was imminent. I have been crying every morning since but the loss is even more painful. Thanks for your prayers. I really do appreciate them. They are sustaining me, that I know.
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your beloved pet, Shelly – I know how hard that is.
Thanks Michelle. This too will pass. Right now it feels empty but I know joy waits around the corner.
So sorry to hear about your loss. I know your pain. We had to put our little daschund to sleep about 10 years ago because of cancer. Bob and I have never gotten over the moment. Bob carried Barney into the vets office on his bed, before the vet gave Barney his shot he reached up to give Bob a final kiss and reached out to give me my final kiss goodbye. May God be with you and your family during this time.
Thanks Fran. What a treat to see you in the comments. Our sweet dogs are God’s gift to us through seasons of life. Just grateful for the time we had with him and know there will always be a place in our hearts for precious memories. The loss feels big for me, spent more hours of my day with him than anyone else. He just went with me everywhere. Miss him greatly already.
Barney went everywhere with us too. We too were greatful for the time and memories with Barney. We have many times thought about getting another pet but at this time we don’t wish to be quite so tied down. Also, just don’t know if I could bare to lose another one, it hurts. God will help ease as time goes, may have to get a stuffed one to hold and hug for a bit. We couldn’t leave Barney at home alone, he would tear something up.
Someday I hope to get to travel to South Carolina, I always have wanted to see Myrtle Beach.
I think about Jesus walking the earth, seeing, touching the animals He (the Word) spoke into being. How he must have had joy in those created beings serving their purpose in His Creation. I look over at my Maggie, my West Highland Terrier, curled in her bed. I too spend a lot of time with her. She hates it when I pack a suitcase! Our pets are gifts from our Creator. His plan was perfect—-and some day the lion and lamb will lie down together in peace–and all will be as it should be. Until then, praying sweet comfort today.
Beautiful words to ponder Dea. Thank you so much. They bring me great comfort today, truly. You have a gift for leaving comments!
I love the comfort of these verses! Your pictures are a vivid take on Christ’s promises in the Word.
I know, I thought the same thing Kristen. Glad you and I are on the same page.
“God is good, He is with us, He reigns victorious!”
Exactly that. Comfort and peace to you, Shelly.
Thank you Lyla. I have so enjoyed getting to know you and the joy that rubs off of you naturally is like a breathe of the freshest air.
Comfort and peace to you Shelly. Blessings!
Thank you and so nice to meet you.
I stumbled over a video on my timeline of our Rose Dog chasing my son’s dachshund around the dining room table the Christmas before last. We miss her so.
These photos are gorgeous. Praying He sheds His light over your sadness.
Thanks Sandra. Looking at a bunch of photos over the years brought a smile too! Lots of happy memories with those creatures He entrusts to us for a time.
I’ve never seen these (among my favorite Scriptures) so beautifully depicted as with these brilliant photos! What a glorious gift!
Thank you Debra. While my dog was sick, those flowers stood tall as a reminder of new life in the midst of death.
Beautiful photos…beautiful words!
Praying for healing for your family.
Thank you Kerri. I feel the prayers.
This is my first visit here, from Katie’s site. So very sorry to hear about your sadness! Beautiful post … the title is so telling! I’m thankful that He is with us through the dark times of life! I love your images, and yes, I see the arm in the first one! So touching and beautiful!
Deborah, so glad to meet you and thank you for your kind words today. Writing about the sadness helps but I would rather make people laugh!
I am sorry to hear about your dog. Pets become such a vital part of our lives, and grief is very real in losing one. I loved your pictures – and yes, I saw the arm shadow you were talking about.
I realize how true your statement is after all the empathetic comments I have received concerning the loss of Winston. This kind of pain and grief is common to anyone who invested love in a pet. It is comforting to know so many people understand because sometimes I think I must be crazy to be this sad over losing a dog.
‘Victory shows up in the shadows’ – your words leaped of the page and captured my heart. This is where I choose to land daily . . searching for the light in our darkness. This last year we have faced many shadow as my husband died in March of sudden cardiac arrest. His death shattered our world in so many ways. Your words reminded me of Floss his dog – who worshiped him – Floss lost the will to live after David’s death and within a month he too died. It has been hard but we are committed to finding victory in the shadows. I just came across your blog today. Thank you for sharing your heart. . . it touched mine.
I am so sorry for your loss, I can’t imagine how deep that pain must be. And then to lose the dog shortly after. It makes my heart break for you but I also hear the determination to fight the grief and go on and I applaud your spirit. So glad you found this post and I am so thrilled it spoke to you today. This will go down in my list of thanks today. Blessings and prayers to you Joy. I hope to talk with you again!