She’s sitting at a table lost in thought. I watch her for a moment before she looks up to find my face. We haven’t seen each other in months and yet it’s like no time has passed.
The truest friendships are like that. They span the length and test of time to reconnect in the space of a single heartbeat.
The instant our eyes meet, I see.
Suffering. Caught in the shadows of joy.
Though her eyes light up, and her beautiful smile betrays the pain, I know.
Time has not been kind.
In between the pages of laughter are the sentences that stop us still. The ones that can never be erased. Throughout our life, death comes to us all. In one form or another. Our marriage, children, our notions of security, dreams and letting go of things not meant for us.
But stars can’t shine without darkness. Souls can’t surrender without first being broken.
I admire people who choose to shine in the midst of darkness. In the midst of grief and anger, alive and well.
It’s a leap of faith when we accept that what we do not see is greater than what is happening to us. Holding out hope that what we cannot know is better than what we had planned.
For the darkness threatens to swallow us whole. It lures us to silence when our heart needs to speak. It tempts us to act when we need only be still.
Faith tells us that in the midst of our darkness He is still bearing light.
For God, who said, “Let light shine out of darkness,” made His light shine
in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God
displayed in the face of Christ.
2 Corinthians 4:6
Her deep soul ache spills from her lips like water over a dam. She can barely speak the words that have pierced the most tender places of a mother’s heart.
Yet amidst the rushing water is the calm, still of surrender. The peace of knowing He is her glory. And in the midst of her suffering He is still worthy of praise.
Because a woman who loves God on purpose knows His faithfulness is no accident.
He is the potter, and the work of His hands is for the display of His splendor, not our comfort.
We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.
2 Corinthians 4:8
The path of the faithful is not for the faint of heart. It is not for those who easily grow weary. For we who are alive are continually given over to death so that we might reveal His life at work in us.
And despite what darkness is at work in our flesh, His strength is sufficient for this day.
This one day.
And I continue to believe that His purpose for us is good.
We may not understand it now, but in time we will. And we will look back and see that even at our darkest, He was preparing the way for grace.
Broken by life. Born unto death. Redeemed by Light.
What darkness or death threatens your faith? Do not lose heart.
For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
2 Corinthians 4:16-18
In the face of your deepest fear and the darkness that surrounds you, all you need to do is stand. You see, God isn’t looking for shooting stars. He’s looking for lighthouses.
Leave a Comment
Michelle Athens says
So beautiful and true are your words.
tammy @ grace uncommon says
Thank you Michelle! xo
Faith says
So many of us have been broken by life, and redeemed by Light. We hope in Him and He will never forsake us. Let your light shine, and His strength carry you through it all!
tammy @ grace uncommon says
Amen, Faith. xo
Debbie says
Help me to be a lighthouse, even when the world’s report of spreading cancer tugs at me. Through it all I want to honor YOU, not my flesh.
tammy @ grace uncommon says
Me too, Debbie. I echo your beautiful prayer. xo
Renee Swope says
So beautifully written, Tammy. So much redeeming hope-filled truth right here that I needed to remember:
It’s a leap of faith when we accept that what we do not see is greater than what is happening to us. Holding out hope that what we cannot know is better than what we had planned. For the darkness threatens to swallow us whole. It lures us to silence when our heart needs to speak. It tempts us to act when we need only be still. Faith tells us that in the midst of our darkness He is still bearing light.
Thank you so much for being a lighthouse here today.
tammy @ grace uncommon says
Mmmmmm, thank you so much Renee. You’ve been a lighthouse for me, many times. xo
JJS says
Beautifully written!
tammy @ grace uncommon says
Thank you! xo
Trisha says
Thank you., Tammy. I needed to be reminded of this today…
tammy @ grace uncommon says
I’m so glad Trisha. God knew I needed it today too. 🙂 xo
Joanne says
Thank you Tammy for your words of encouragement. You have touch my heart and given me strength to not give up as I wait in quiet hope on God. God always know when to send help at my time of need. Thank You Father. You are good. In Jesus’ name.
Love and blessings!
tammy @ grace uncommon says
I love how God is always in the details…sending us words of encouragement and grace when we need them. Blessings! xo
simone says
Thank you. Feel like I am being swallowed whole by the darkness at the minute. Please pray God will guide me.
tammy @ grace uncommon says
Praying for you Simone; may you feel God’s arms wrap around you and bring you peace in the midst of your circumstances. Lifting you to Him. xo
Marge says
Once again Tammy you spoke and wrote the words that speak to my heart and soul. Thank you for being a lighthouse.
tammy @ grace uncommon says
Mmmmm, thank you Marge. I’m so honored to be a vessel for Him reaching out to you. Blessings! xo
Somer says
This was poignant and beautiful. I have two friends like that. Just one look. And we know each other. Eyes that see our hearts. That scripture is my favorite verse in the Bible. Thank you for this post.
tammy @ grace uncommon says
I love that Somer. To have one is a gift, two….remarkable! You are a truly blessed. Thank you & many sweet blessings! xo
Tara says
This reminds me of the song “My Lighthouse” by Rend Collective Experiment!
tammy @ grace uncommon says
I’ve never heard it, I’ll have to look it up! 🙂
Susan Gruener says
So visually beautifully written. Truths that we can hang on to. Some of my favorite verses.
May you be blessed as you bless others.
tammy @ grace uncommon says
Mmmmm, thank you Susan. I cherish your blessing. xo
Angela says
Thanks so much Tammy. I am so encouraged by this devotion. Jesus loves all the time!! I love to feel His arms wrapped around me too. He always sends me help in my time of need!! He has blessed me with brothers and sisters in Christ in this new church I started going to just about over a year ago since I had a job relocation. I m not a member of the church and I m being treated as one. They are here for me since my family lives in other states. I m FOREVER grateful to God for these beautiful people of God taking time out to drive me to the hospital wait for me do things for me really help me out. I m truly blessed for all of their prayers for me too. I love yoi Jesus. Thanks so much Tammy for today. To God be all the Glory.
tammy @ grace uncommon says
Mmmmmm, you’re welcome Angela. Thank you for being here. For writing to me. I love how God is in the details of our lives. How He shows up, brings together and binds us to one another. The intimate details only He can know, and give. I’m thankful you have found a family in your church. We are the church, whether we are a member or a visitor, the body is us. I’m so happy you have found a place where you are loved and cared for. To God be all the glory, amen. xo
Marty says
This is one of the most beautiful posts I’ve ever read here on (in)courage. I would read a sentence and think, “oooo…that’s good.” And then I’d read another and think, “ooooOOOO…so true.” This statement stands out for me: “The path of the faithful is not for the faint of heart. It is not for those who easily grow weary. For we who are alive are continually given over to death so that we might reveal His life at work in us.”
We all have a story…thank you for sharing part of yours.
tammy @ grace uncommon says
Thank you so much Marty! I’m humbled & honored by your words. Blessings to you. xo
Becky M says
The first thing in the morning when I get up this time of year — I turn on our Christmas tree lights. The other day I just couldn’t. My mind was so filled with the darkness of a crisis our family is going through I just didn’t want those lights on. Thank you for your reminder of whose light lights my heart — even in these incredibly difficult times. God bless!
tammy @ grace uncommon says
Mmmmmm, this is tender to me. Prayers for you Becky, and your family, and the crisis you are facing. May you continue to find God in the darkness, lighting the way. I pray you find the courage to stand in the power of His strength and find His peace in the storm. xo
Beth Williams says
Tammy,
I want to be a lighthouse to help others going through trials. This whole year has been one trial after another. But through it all God has been there and sustained me. He has shown me his love and mercy.
Have a blessed Christmas!