Reflections on 2018

 

As I reflect back on this year I want to echo the words of the Psalmist - "God - I can't thank you enough!" 
In making the huge move from Pietermaritzburg to Fish Hoek in December 2017, there were many days where I felt out of my depth, unsure of myself, unsettled and on a STEEP learning curve. However, through all of these moments, I have always felt the strength of God and the grace of the Holy Spirit. People have been incredibly loving and kind to our family in our new home; old friends have stayed in touch and this has certainly kept our spirits up during the tough days; and of course our family have been a truly solid rock of support and love. In all of this, I am humbled and blessed - I say again:
"Lord, thank you. You did it!"


"You did it: you changed wild lament
    into whirling dance;
You ripped off my black mourning band
    and decked me with wildflowers.
I’m about to burst with song;
    I can’t keep quiet about you.
God, my God,    I can’t thank you enough." - Psalm 30:11-12 (Message)

Living in Grace
D3LM3

This will pass

Today's thought for us is quite simple really - we may experience despair and pain today, but this too will pass. There will be HOPE in the morning.

^"Sing the praises of the Lord, you his faithful people;
    praise his holy name.
⁵ For his anger lasts only a moment,
    but his favour lasts a lifetime;
weeping may stay for the night,
    but rejoicing comes in the morning." - Psalm 30

Hold on - God is with you. There may be weeping today, but JOY is on the horizon.

Living in Grace

D3LM3

Tears in heaven - Lent 1

"Bitterly she weeps at night, 
tears are upon her cheek." - Lamentations 1:2

As I was reading this verse from Lamentations I suddenly thought of the song by Eric Clapton, Tears in Heaven. He wrote the words to this song after his 4 year old son Conor plunged to his death in 1992.

The loss of a loved one is enough to make anyone weep at night and to "wipe tears from our cheeks". Death makes us wonder if there will be tears in heaven (which the book of Revelation points out that there won't be) - and what heaven will be like.

As we start this journey on Lent, it is helpful for us to be in a state of 'grief' - not so much grief at the loss of a loved one, but rather grief at our sin and what that cost Jesus. Lent teaches us to focus on the Hope we are given through Jesus, but also that this came at a great cost.

Psalm 30:5 - "For his anger lasts only a moment, but his favour lasts a lifetime! Weeping may last through the night, but joy comes with the morning."

Living in Grace
D3LM3