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Proper Sorrows
It’s been a tough couple of weeks. I cancelled my vacation due to my illness, my sister’s surgery, and the passing of a friend…
SORROWS
When storm winds blow through our lives, we must take time to learn the lessons and not let them come and go without growing from them. We must stand strong. Sorrow cuts to the depths of our souls leaving a burrow that can only be filled with time, love, and God’s comfort. It can cause us to take a long hard look at our lives, it can cause us to cry and cry aloud to God. However, if there was no sorrow, there could be no joy. If there was no storm, there could be no rainbow.
ITS PROPER PLACE
God promised to give us joy for mourning, and we must be patient and wait for His gift. Yes, it may cut deep into our spirits. Only when we understand that God is molding us, shaping us, refining us for His glory, will we allow sorrow its proper place. Stand, my brothers and sisters. Continue to pray. Continue to love, and continue to trust God to walk us through the sorrows. He has done it before, and He will go it again.
A GREAT LEGACY
I dedicate today’s reflection to my friend, Edgar Lovelace, who made his transition to heaven a couple of weeks ago, and to his family, Dale, Tonya, Cliff, Carmen, Mark, Sonya, Jo, Phil, Ben, Ria, Camille, and Dwayne. Continue to encourage one another; you are so good at that. Edgar left a great legacy in each of you. You are going to be just fine.
Edgar, you dubbed me your guardian angel, but now you are among heavenly angels. You are “clothed in white garments”, rejoicing with the Lord. I rejoice on earth with you.
The Red Bird Story Pt. 2
The Red Bird Story Pt. 2
…Continued from Part 1
A DIVINE CONNECTION?
At first, I thought my mom was exaggerating. As God would have it, on several occasions I witnessed the divine connection between her and the red bird. Sometimes it was me who was struggling and she would call me on the telephone and say, “Honey, I just saw a red bird…God says everything is going to be OK”. Since my mother’s death, my children, grandchildren, siblings, and I see red birds too. Whenever they appear, they linger long enough in a space to let us know our God has sent them to bring comfort.
MAMA RET’S FAVORITE
It came to me ask God for a redbird on this day, a gift that I desperately needed. Silently, I did just that. I went back to watching television actually not thinking about my prayer, intent on being sad perhaps. Within a few minutes, my husband whispered, “Les, look, there’s a red bird, Mama Ret’s favorite.” He had no idea that I had just asked God to send one to me. I witnessed the most beautiful red bird that I had ever seen. He flew so close to my window I thought he was going to fly into it. He fluttered his wings for a couple of seconds. Just long enough for me to notice him, and then he flew off and perched in the magnolia tree in my front yard. We watched him for several minutes. If my husband hadn’t noticed the red bird first, I may have missed my blessing.
A MUSTARD SEED
I encourage you to have faith. Faith the size of mustard seed will do, for starters. His sacred Word says, mustard seed-sized faith will move mountains. I have learned that turning everything over to God, frees me of worry. It’s all in His hands anyway. I am most grateful for all the “red bird “ visitations. Whenever I see one, I thank God for the gift, for His unconditional love. I invite you to receive God’s daily blessings. Ask and you shall receive. What He did for me, he will do for you. His love can show up in any form because He created everything. Trust Him to give you comfort.
The Red Bird Story Pt.1
The Red Bird Story Pt. 1
MISSING MAMMA
My mother transitioned to heaven September 24, 2004, one week after her 78th birthday. I was a grown woman, 57 years old. But I thought I would die, too. Unresolved grief had already taken a physical toll on my body. My husband and family were concerned that I would fall into a pit of depression. No matter how hard I tried, I couldn’t locate the joy that I once had. My smile had deserted me a year before she left. All that remained was pain. I missed her so much. As I sat in my family room having one of those “missing mama” days, I began to cry and to pray.
MY PRAYER
I said “Father, I know my mother is at perfect peace with you. I understand that she is free of all cancer, pain and all the cares of this world. that she lived a good life, and that she is your daughter. I know that You called her home to be with you. Yet, my eyes long to see her beautiful face, and my ears ache to hear her angelic voice. I beseech you to help me through this storm.”
A VISITOR
On this particular day, I reminded God that my mother’s favorite bird was the red bird. After my father died, a beautiful crimson colored bird started visiting my mother. He would chirp and flounce around to get her attention. It seemed as though he wanted her to be certain that he was there as her gift from God. Mama would share stories of red bird sightings and encounters. She said he always seemed to appear when she was having troubles and going through dark times. She believed it was God’s way of comforting her and reminding her that He is always with her and that everything is in Divine Order.
Continued in Part 2……
My Cup Overflowing
(Adapted from 23rd Psalm)
Lord, you are my Jehovah-Raah; my shepherd, I will follow you all the days of my life.
You are my Jehovah- Jireh, my provider, I will never want for anything.
You are my Jehovah Rapha, in you I will have rest and peace for my weary soul.You will make the bitter, sweet.
Lord, you cannot lie, so I place my trust in you.
Though I may journey through dark times, I will have no fear, because I am your child and I know that I am safe with you.
You give me favor over my enemies, and you fill my cup overflowing.
Your love is unconditional and never ending.
I am grateful for your goodness and mercy, and that I will live with you forever.
Amen
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