Thursday, April 21, 2011

Redemption



re·demp·tion

[ri-demp-shuhn]
–noun 1. deliverance, rescue

Several years ago, we were living in painful chaos. I've written about it before, one time specifically in a post called "If You're hurting". As a family, we had literally spun recklessly to the concrete with a pounding thud that rang in our ears for a long time even after the fall. Our final "rock bottom" moment blew up around us in the spring, near Easter time.

Easter is fresh beginnings, new growth, and beauty from every angle. Easter celebrates redemption. We tell stories of the wooden cross on a hill and the big empty tomb. But Easter symbolizes a personal redemption story for our family as well.

The heartache and misery that is experienced when destruction thrusts itself into normal lives is unspeakable. Our foundation was shaken and hope seemed impossible to even faintly whisper.

I had never experienced such a dark time before...or ever since. Just as spring brings rainfall to the dead grass, God allowed rain to cover my dead, but still beating heart.
The thunder didn't stop through the screams, moans, and cries of desperation on my knees. The rain continued to pound relentlessly, beating my body to a shrivel on the floor.I didn't realize the rain was soaking my spirit, helping it to grow. My weakness was overwhelming. Pain, destruction, and desperation fell upon us on all sides. When I mentally imagined that I couldn't possibly endure more rain, it stopped.



Instantly.




Like a miracle.





The sun came into focus and new life began. Several years later, life is amazing again. Looking back, I am always stunned at the miracle God gave us when He instantly stopped the storms in our life. I had no hope and every day I waited for the darkness to return. But it had left us for certain. In the stillness after the rain, God sent us redemption. He rescued our family and held our quivering bodies in the palm of His hand.

I absolutely LOVE this life. It truly is a beautiful life, and I am extremely grateful for each blessing. Every day I celebrate it in every teeny-tiny way possible! This blog shows how excited I am to savor every detail and each minute.
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Never stop believing. Never, never give up. I have been in severely dark hours and am in awe of how beautiful life can be after the rain.

If your heart is breaking and you can't gather up the pieces fast enough with your bare hands, then rest in God's promise of redemption.
We are reminded of that promise every spring at Easter time.

In those days I wanted to run far away and never look back. I listened to this hymn on repeat during the darkness and it soothed my wounds. It was a true blessing to my weeping spirit.

Jars of Clay: I'll Fly Away



However,I didn't need to fly away to heaven (though I desperately wanted to at the time) for the happiness to come. We were given a sweet little heaven on earth. And although I know that struggles and heartache may come again someday in our little life's journey, I cherish the moments of now and the happiness that breathes life into our family every day.


~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

I hope you can celebrate new beginnings and that you never lose hope. For more Easter thoughts, visit a previous post, Thank you for the Cross.

"If we had no winter,
the spring would not be so pleasant..."
~Anne Bradstreet



HAPPY EASTER!

We have some really BIG plans for our egg hunt this year...


ginormous plans...




Enjoy your Easter Sunday,

10 comments:

Quirky Homemaker said...

What a great post! Have a very Happy Easter!

caveman said...

This post stirs my soul so deeply, bringing so many raw emotions to the surface, I don't even know where to start. So I won't. But what I will say is this: I love you Lisa Renee Miller Moore. And I always will. For me, Easter is sort of like a scar, a tender part of the year that feels just a little different. I wish I was holding you right now. Holiday's are extra busy for the Moore family. This Easter I hope I get a lot of time doing nothing except holding your hand while I silently thank God for our redemption.

WhiteWhispers2u said...

Very nice post! I love the reminder to have faith that God is always at work.I too have had dark days one things after another and it has changed us all and I have to say for the better.I am looking forward to calmer days though and hope it's around the corner sooner than later.Blessings, may your Easter be fabulous~Cheers Kim

Judy@cutest-little-things.blogspot.com said...

Through great trials and tribulations can come even greater triumphs and joys. I'm sorry for whatever heartache you and your sweet family endured (and wish only happiness, health and joy everafter!). Your message of hope this Easter season as we reflect on what forgiveness truly means is a ray of optimism to others going through their own dark times. When we're ready to surrender ourselves to God's grace, wonderful miracles can happen in our hearts :)

I'm so happy that you're smiling again! :)

Have a blessed Easter!

(Can't wait to see what's stuffed into ginormous eggs!!!)

Judy@cutest-little-things

Jane said...

Such a touching post. Yes, God is amazing...His grace redeems us, in spite of everything we have thought, have felt, have done... Hallelujah!

Redemption...defined is paying a price in the marketplace. That's just what Jesus did for us. Thank you sweet Jesus, for loving us so much...for paying the price for us...

Wishing you and your family a blessed Easter together.
Hugs,
Jane (artfully graced)

Nancy said...

It is wonderful to see a post on the true meaning of Easter, and from such a personal experience is so very touching. I love you and am glad that things are bright and happy again!

Stacey said...

I love this post, not that there was a time that was so dark but that joy and redemption do come. I love the Sarah K and Jars of Clay song, one of my favorites!

BonBon Rose Girls Kristin said...

I always feel like Easter is a chance to start over too!

Erica said...

Very nice post.

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b. said...

beautiful post. so happy you have come through and are living such a sweet life.

i pray the Lord brings me through my trial very soon.

the song wouldn't play so im gonna look it up on youtube.