The Fish Tank

I am beautiful. I am smart. I am creative. I am stubborn. I am funny. I am emotional. I am passionate. I am determined. I am a daughter of the King. I am saved by grace. I am love. I am full of chaos. I am His. "Oh yes, you shaped me first inside, then out; you formed me in my mother’s womb. I thank you, High God—you’re breathtaking! Body and soul, I am marvelously made! I worship in adoration—what a creation! You know me inside and out, you know every bone in my body; You know exactly how I was made, bit by bit, how I was sculpted from nothing into something. Like an open book, you watched me grow from conception to birth; all the stages of my life were spread out before you, The days of my life all prepared before I’d even lived one day." Psalm 139: 14-16 Have you ever let these verses sink in; really truly allow them to penetrate your soul and very being? I have heard, said, and written about these verses multiple times. I don't, however, t...

I watched my friend of 24 years sob over her mother like I had never heard before in all the years I've known her. From heart ache to divorce to a deployed husband (multiple times), I have never heard her wail like this. Her mother is 59, far too young to be at this stage, and they were told there was nothing more the doctors could do. Hospice or an answered miracle call was all that was left. Through her wailing and sobbing she asked the whys and we all stood there in silence also wondering why such a beautiful woman's life had come to this. Why couldn't it be the convict or the abuser? I couldn't answer the whys then and I still can't. All I could do for her was pray, love on her, and give her a verse I had read that morning before we made our way to the hospital. "So do not fear for I am with you; do not be dismayed , for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand." Isaiah 41:10 God does not tell us t...