Blessed be God, even the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies, and the God of all comfort;Who comforteth us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort them which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we ourselves are comforted of God. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4
When loved ones, friends, or even those we meet along this journey are surrounded by darkness; all too often we want to rush in and talk, talk, talk. As though our words might bring comfort. Then, we wish to rush away when that doesn’t work; proclaiming defeat. It is hard to stay; lovingly sitting quietly, forgiving the wrongs, holding tight to hope when everything seems to keep crashing downward. Perhaps, it would be impossible to stay and quietly persevere. Yet, there are those times when that is what we are bid to do. Our only hope to do that is found in the strength, love, and grace of Christ indwelling us. When we remember God’s grace and mercy toward us; then, we can be love, grace and mercy to others around us. Had I drowned Pete with words, he might never have seen God’s Grace. Instead, He saw God’s Grace ultimately through God’s Grace and Love within me providing me the strength to stand, take Pete’s hand, and quietly pray. At the same moment, God was showing me the depth of His love for me as well. If I had never known sorrow; could I have ever known God’s comfort? Could I ever display God’s comforting Grace to another person in their darkness; had I not known the power of God’s Grace reaching to me?
I Did But Pray
In your darkness filled with fear
I walked beside and drew you near
There were no words that I could say
So Quietly I did but pray
What more could I have said or done
Than point you to God’s own dear son
By showing you the grace of God
As on this road we both did trod
My words would mean so little now
Unless I were to live somehow
Displaying Grace by what I do
Forgetting self to think of you
No distance then would be too far
Willing to go where e’er you are
To walk beside to take your hand
To bring you hope, to firmly stand
That when the world a dark abyss
Upon your brow my gentle kiss
Awakening to see God’s light
A hope within could rise and fight
Against the tides that pull you down
The anguish that would bid you drown
Please take my hand and come with me
Oh how I wish your heart could see
The love of God, His Grace to you
That as His face comes into view
Amidst the sorrows in your heart
God’s comfort bidding them depart
His love can wrap you in His arms
Protecting you from evil’s harms
Oh, how I wish that you could see
My strength, my love is Christ in me
So,
In your darkness filled with fear
I walked beside and drew you near
There were no words that I could say
So Quietly I did but pray
Is there someone you know who is drowning in despair? The weight of life’s trials are wearing them down? Or are you weighted down with sorrow and pain? Oh, my dear friends, remember this. God in His Sovereignty allows those sorrows that come into our life. [bctt tweet=”Into a broken world God reaches in with a steady hand of Grace bringing purpose out of our pain”] 1. Either He is drawing you closer to Himself in the midst of the trial 2. Or He is preparing you to share in His Glory by allowing you to be the testimony that leads another to Christ. Usually, He is doing both.
Photo courtesy of https://unsplash.com/joshuaearle The poetry is mine.
©Effie Darlene Barba, 2016
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.