Wake and see it's a lovely day

picture by: Jeanette Mayhew

written: April 4, 2008

This morning a song was on my heart... as it often is... and I found myself singing it in the middle of a cloudy rain storm on the way to grab my morning cup of comfort. It's a song that's been preformed in different ways but Out of Eden's style fits me. "I think it's gonna be a lovely day" is the chorus line of the song and the rest of it reminds me that no matter what is happening in my life, I can find it to be a Lovely Day. It's not because every day is fun, beautiful, exciting, or simply relaxing.... just because God granted me a new day with new opportunities to meet Him face to face in his creation: his people, his earth, his restoration.

I've seen the tragic destruction of Hurricane Katrina and in the midst…His mighty hand of Restoration and Redemption… a single flower, which only blooms once a year, is seen rising strong and tall through the rubble. It's an encouragement for, as well as a statement of, the people in the region that I had the opportunity to get to know heart to heart.

I've watched as a young widow, who passionately loves her sweet husband, wail due to her loss at the memorial service I attended for my dear friend yesterday… and in that His amazing Grace and in His arms of Love… saw her surrounded by hundreds. They not only loved them both but were encouraged by knowing they will see him again for eternity.

Although, in both situations there is a boundless amount of traveling before them through “the valley of the shadow of death”... but they “will fear no evil” ... they may cry... yell... be silent... grieve... but then they turn to the only one who is the complete Neosporin to our souls and finally find rest.

He of all knows the suffering and heart ache of loss as he watches millions turn from him everyday. He knows all to well the tragedy of death, as his only son hung painfully on the cross for sins that he did not commit. I have found in my own life experience the suffering is an opportunity to come face to face with the Savior of my soul and..... let him hold me and strengthen when I have nothing left to offer.

You see, there is strength in our weakness. We finally stop trying to do it all and begin to do nothing else but embrace Him. In joy there is plenty of opportunity to see His beauty and his goodness... in pain you have to lift your head up as to not get caught in the storm that is likely to consume you... when you lift your head and look Him in the eye he offers you Hope. He helps you walk on water and through the storm. There is no easy way around it, so you simply go through it.

For me, there aren't questions of "why" but "how”. Why confuses the matter, because you usually don't get a clear answer or sometimes you don't get the answer you are hoping for ... but the How ... well it's a call to action. Action helps you to move and movement helps to you live and living ... that's what it's all about.

Live a life full and worthy of memory. Live a life that is worth touching hundreds and millions as you focus on others. Live as if each moment counts because it does... Today, Tomorrow, through Eternity. You matter! If you are alive, there is a reason. If there is a reason, then YOU MATTER! He has a purpose and a reason. You will never know the complete value of who you are if you don't live it for Him.

He is the only one who can give the enveloping peace we all seek. He will use the people around you and send you people that are like "Jesus with skin on"... someone that is like my dear friend Ben Hawkins (that I spoke of earlier). They will remind you that "YOU MATTER" and "I SEE YOU though you think your invisible… I SEE YOU".

So...I guess... today I'll wake up and I'll see it's going to be a lovely day. My love to all who will take time to read this rambling of someone who truly and deeply loves her Lord and all he has created.

"Here I am Lord... what are we up to today?"

Have a lovely day... :)