My Much-Needed Reminder

The beauty that arises after fire scorches the ground can be unexpected, surprising, captivating. The stark contrast between the desolate, damaged foliage and the simple, delicate new growth of a lovely flower amidst ruin brings hope–hope for continued growth and beauty despite difficult circumstances.

Alright, OK, .....so this isn't an actual flower. I found this fabricated beauty in the rubble on our ranch after the fires and windstorm swept through a month ago. The fake hydrangea was once on my mom's porch, but now has found a new home amidst the burned landscaping. Had to search for it. Beauty in the ashes. A much-needed reminder.

In anticipation of today—the one year anniversary of my Daddy’s passing—I’m writing this entry to myself. For even though I think I'm fully trusting in a sovereign God above all, sometimes I'm distracted by the craziness of life and need to be reminded of the beauty around me, the growth that is still occurring, and that God has a purpose for all of this because He loves me and He knows me best of all.

With last night marking our 30th night living in a hotel due to the California fires, it seems that lately I have been prone to allow frustration and doubts to creep into my pea-brain, while stirring up emotions and affecting my ability to function as a mom, a wife, a daughter, and a friend. Throw in a dash of insomnia, (actually, make that a large dash), and you have one lady needing to re-learn every last lesson from a difficult season of grieving for her sweet Daddy whom she loved so very much.

So, Jill. Here's a quick reminder of some of the lessons you have been learning through Scripture, sermons, friends, and through Bridge's book, "Trusting God, Even When Life Hurts." Read, believe, repeat.

• Your Daddy loved the Lord, and right now is in His presence, pain-free and joyfully