Sunday, September 23, 2012

Good and Perfect Gift


“Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.” James 1:17

The word translated “perfect” in this verse is the Greek Teleios, used to describe something that has achieved or reached its goal, objective, or purpose.  When I read that this morning my mind went to Kyson, my unborn baby who never made it to what we would consider perfection or completion here on earth.  A miscarriage is far from what most people would call a perfect gift.  Losing a baby is heart breaking and leaves a void.  Yet, it can be looked at in a different light.  The child, made in God’s image, knit together in my womb for a time, the child I watched on the ultrasound screen jump, reach out his arms, open his hand and show me his finger, open his precious little mouth, the child I saw life within, the tiny flickering of a heart beat, that child is a gift.  Oh, but how can I come to the place to call a deceased child a good and perfect gift?  Only by the grace of Jesus!  A perfect gift, having achieved or reached its goal, objective, or purpose…  This child’s purpose was to live in my womb for three months and then spend eternity bringing praise to the Savior in heaven.  I was chosen to be this child’s mother, not for a few months, but for eternity.  It is only in this light, the light of knowing that my child, the fruit of the love between my husband and me, is before the very throne of God, beholds His glory, brings praise to His name for all eternity, only in that light that I see that this child is a good and perfect gift.  We are not promised a tear-free, pain-free life; actually we are promised that there will be trials, but that doesn’t mean that the trials cannot bring gifts.  These gifts are from the Father of lights.  He in Himself is good.  He is love.  He does not change.  So while it may be hard to be thankful for the miscarriage, I am thankful for my child.  My child is now completely perfect and beholds the majesty of Perfection.  Someday I will partake of this perfection as well, and today I will be grateful for the gifts of each of my children, Luke, Hope, Lydia, Timothy and Kyson, my three that I am blessed to hold today, physically love, and those two that are held by the Father and loved in my heart.

Monday, September 17, 2012

Seeing, Not Just Looking


So I drove an hour this morning in the fog.

I looked into the sky and saw the sun, a perfect circle, bright, yet I could look at it.

I’ve been trying to see lately, not just look but see what the Lord has to show me through His creation.

I thought about this earth, how we are in a sense in a fog, not able to see clearly.

I Corinthians 13:12 came to mind: For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

I thought about the sorrow I have experienced lately, how through it all The Light still shone.

I thought about how the sun still brings light even through the fog, but only what is closest to us are we able to see.

Maybe sometimes we are supposed to be wrapped up in fog, and the Lord shines His light on what is dear to us, reminds us of what really matters.

Perhaps sometimes the Light is so bright we are afraid to gaze at It, but through the fog, we can behold the Sun more fully.

I just love it when God writes a love letter in the sky to me, reminding me to see, reminding me to taste and see that He is good.