Memories Redeemed

I opened up my Grace for the moment devotional Bible today and faint memories flowed back through my mind.

Exactly three years ago I made a call to one of my brothers and I told him..."I am so tired of crying. I am so tired of hurting. I want the tears to stop...will they ever stop falling?" I don't remember all he said...I'm sure it was something like Anna He's there with you, trust Him, lean on Him...He sees every tear, He knows your pain, trust Him. It was a time in my life words were a life line more or less...any truth great or small was like a preserver keeping me afloat.

Our call ended and before heading to work I opened up my Grace for the moment devotional Bible for January 11 and read...

"I am tired of crying to you. Every night my bed is wet with tears; my bed is soaked from my crying. My eyes are weak from so much crying about my enemies. Get away from me, all you who do evil, because the LORD has heard my crying. The LORD has heard my cry for help; the LORD will answer my prayer(Psalm 6:6-10) Trust the LORD with all your heart, and don't depend on your own understanding. Remember the LORD in all you do, and he will give you success.(Proverbs 3:5-6)"

Tears flowed down my face...different tears. He knew and felt the pain, the darkness, the sorrow...He was listening to my heart...I was not alone I was in His embrace...

It's been three years, I can't believe it...the memories don't have the same effect on me any longer. They don't paralyze me and flood me with sorrow...He's redeemed them. The memories of "my darkness" are no longer wrought with pain and grief...the darkness has been shattered with light, life, love...what I feel when these memories come back are His strength...His understanding...His love and protection...His redemption and the lengths He goes to to bring us back from the dead...this is how He brought me back to life...this is how He speaks to me...on this day I was like Lazarus walking out of the tomb...