One thing that life has taught me: God loves me with an everlasting love and every trial or sorrow I face is an act of His Mighty Grace. It has been through the darkest valleys that I have found peace, joy and love; because, pain forced me to lay aside all my foolish desires and pride. There I came to know God, who is my greatest treasure. He indwells me with His presence like an overflowing spring of joy, hope, peace, and love. So, out of the Ashes; I found Joy Abounding with hope, love, and peace within.
Psalm 30:5,10-12
weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning. Hear, O Lord, and have mercy upon me: Lord, be thou my helper. Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing: thou hast put off my sackcloth, and girded me with gladness To the end that my glory may sing praise to thee, and not be silent. O Lord my God, I will give thanks unto thee forever.
POEM: OUT OF THE ASHES
Out of the Ashes
By Effie Darlene Barba
I Cried to You, Lord; my heart broken in two
Why did he leave? My love tried and true
Had left me there rejected that day
With never a thought or pardon to say
Didn’t You hear my pleas and my prayer
Or maybe in truth, You don’t even care!
Chorus
Then, Gently, so gently you reached out Your hand
To cradle me there to help me to stand
Your Love did allow my pain and despair
That I might see You ARE my answered prayer
If I had not walked through the darkest of night
Then, would I have longed for Your glorious light
Until I was broken, my life undone
I loved from afar Your Precious Dear Son
There in my darkness Your love drew me in
A humbled and broken heart you did win
And then you unveiled this great mystery
The Love I had sought was inside of me
Out of the ashes to my heart’s surprise
A joyous love song began then to rise
Alone in the dark, the words did resound
No solace for me, the fear did surround
“It’s Cancer” he said, I heard him quite clear
“The best you can hope is maybe one year”
I Cried out to You, I don’t understand
How could this be a part of Your Plan
Didn’t I love You enough, Can’t You see
How could You let this happen to me?
Chorus
Then, Gently, so gently you reached out your hand
To cradle me there to help me to stand
Your Love did allow my pain and despair
That I might see You ARE my answered prayer
If I had not walked through the darkest of night
Then, would I have longed for Your glorious light
Until I was broken, my life undone
I loved from afar Your Precious Dear Son
There in my darkness Your love drew me in
A humbled and broken heart you did win
And then you unveiled this great mystery
The Love I had sought was inside of me
Out of the ashes to my heart’s surprise
A joyous love song began then to rise
How foolish to not have thought of Your Loss
When Your Son did die on that old rugged cross
Silly to think my life on this earth
Should be filled with only laughter and mirth
I see now my trials have been Your act of Grace
That I may turn from myself to seek Your Wondrous Face
Only then can true love fill all my heart
For Your love in me will never depart.
Chorus
Then, Gently, so gently you reached out your hand
To cradle me there to help me to stand
Your Love did allow my pain and despair
That I might see You ARE my answered prayer
If I had not walked through the darkest of night
Then, would I have longed for Your glorious light
Until I was broken, my life undone
I loved from afar Your Precious Dear Son
There in my darkness Your love drew me in
A humbled and broken heart you did win
And then you unveiled this great mystery
The Love I had sought was inside of me
Out of the ashes to my heart’s surprise
A joyous love song began then to rise
cONCLUDING TWEETS
[tweetthis]What appeared to be trials or pain I found were Gods Acts of Grace & Love[/tweetthis]
[bctt tweet=”When all is gone & God is all that is left; then, you find you are the richest of all” username=”effiedarlene”]
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2017
Disclosure of Material Connection: I have not received any compensation for writing this post. I have no material connection to the brands, products, or services that I have mentioned. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.