Redemption

re·demp·tion

/rɪˈdɛmpʃən/ Show Spelled[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.

source unknown, please advise

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,