I was scrolling through photos the other day and this one made me a little teary. In 2018, Michala's freshman year in college, she was home for Thanksgiving break and snapped this picture of Terry and me. We were still rebuilding the house from Irma, and battling some other storms, and we were constantly exhausted, to say the least. I had taken a shower on this particular night and curled up with Terry to watch a movie with Michala.
I would be remiss if I did not point out the fact Michala is a masterful photographer. She really is. She is exceptionally skillful when it comes to capturing moments. On the one hand, she takes photos that belong in magazines. She has an incredible eye for beauty and lighting. She also snapped this picture of Terry and me and captured one of my favorite moments. Wrapped up in Terry’s arms is my favorite physical place to be.
We were cuddled up watching a movie and Michala was curled up with Rusty on the couch when she secretly captured this moment. I look dreadful, but oh how I love this photo. This was during such a trying, tumultuous time for Terry and me. Yet when I look at this photo, I am reminded what the enemy wanted to use to destroy us, (Genesis 50:20) God used to bring us closer. Thus the reason why I love and treasure this picture. It is a beautiful reminder of the way God redeems, renews and restores. He held us so close to Him during such a difficult time, it brought the two of us closer together and even closer to God, our Papa.
Our nation is going through far worse storms right now than what my Terry and I faced, and this picture serves as a reminder to me … Papa is holding us, close. He’s right here. We need to rest our heads on Him, and trust He has us. We need to trust what the enemy is trying to use to harm and destroy us, God is using for His good to accomplish what is now being done, the saving of many lives. (Genesis 50:20)
God is whispering to us to do the next right thing. When the world tells us to do or think one thing; God is reminding us to do and love what is right.
“Do not love the world or anything in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. For everything in the world - the cravings of sinful man, the lust of his eyes and the boasting of what he has and does - comes not from the Father but from the world. The world and its desires pass away, but the man who does the will of God lives forever.” - 1 John 2:15-17 (NIV)
It can be so tempting; easy, even, to fall into a crowd-like mentality and source our opinion based solely on cable news rather than scripture and truth. But we are called to be the light and walk in the light, not hide in the dark.
“But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.” - 1 John 1:7 (NIV)
God’s arms are open wide for us all. Let Him hold you during the darkness, and breathe His life and light into your heart, so in turn, you show the world His goodness. Shine His light … don’t hide int he dark.