Sea foam swirls around my feet as it kisses the shoreline and then disappears, leaving behind a haphazard trail of color. Ocean gems glisten, wet and bright beneath the sun. Some are sleek and black while others bear a pockmarked complexion. Still others expose their glossy interior, mother of pearl shimmering in shades of purple and green.
Stooping to select a seashell for my collection, I think of the creature whose life was once contained in one of nature’s smallest homes. Empty shells. Pieces of what once existed. Fragments of a life.
My mind wanders to the time he sat in the front seat of the car, bent over; the emotional weight of fear and anxiety pulling shoulders to knees and drawing cries for relief from youthful lungs.
I remember the way I longed to comfort him, but I had no words. I remember the anguished tears tracking across the precious face I’d soothed with a mother’s kiss when elbows and knees met pavement or unkind words left their mark. But, now? I had no comfort to offer other than my presence. Reassurances of love. Promise of prayers.
[bbctt tweet="Sometimes I wonder if He hears?Why have the pleas gone unanswered?#whenwaitingisdifficult#takethiscup#thywillbedone"]
Gazing at the shell in my hands, I’m struck by the beauty of what remains when something ceases to be and I beg God to take the fear. The depression. The origin of all of his pain.
But, years pass and the prayer goes unanswered. Sometimes I wonder if He hears? If He longs to see joy spilling from His child as much as I do? Why have the pleas gone unanswered?
[bbctt tweet="None of life's hard places are outside of the power of holy redemption.#allthingsmadenew#wearehealed#answeredprayer"]
Then God reminds me. None of life’s hard places are outside of the power of holy redemption. Jesus embodied hope that we might rise to a new life free of sickness. Suffering. Struggle. He is the one who will restore and renew.
You, too, may relate to the agony of mental illness. Maybe you battle chronic health issues. Or, you might long for the restoration of of a broken relationship. I don’t know what in your life pains you, but He knows. He hears. And, though you and I may wait longer than we’d like to see lives transformed by answered prayer, we can cling to our faith in anticipation of something beautiful being borne despite and even through the struggle.
[bbctt tweet="I don't know what in your life pains you, but He knows. He hear.#somethingbeautifulbeingborn#clingtofaith#restoringhope."]
“The suffering won’t last forever. It won’t be long before this generous God who has great plans for us in Christ—eternal and glorious plans they are!—will have you put together and on your feet for good. He gets the last word; yes, he does.” (1 Peter 5:11)
One glorious day, God will empty our lives of the dross to reveal the beauty He’d intended for us all along. And what remains will be like the loveliest shell adorning the sand; a reminder of what once was and a testimony God’s transformative love.
Peace and grace,
Tammy
I often link up with the following: LMMLinkup, Porch Stories, Tea and Word Tuesday, Grace and Truth Blogger Voices Network, Tea and Word Tuesdays, Anchored Abode, Worth Beyond Rubies Wednesday, Let’s Have Coffee, Soaring With Him, Purposeful Faith, Encouraging Word Wednesday, Sitting Among Friends, Imparting Grace, Destination Inspiration, Tune in Thursday, Heart Encouragement, Faith and Friends, Faith on Fire, Dance with Jesus Anchored Abode
Hi Tammy,
This resonated with me as I have chronic health issues but it also took me to a recent post that may encourage you as it did me to share it after all this time.
The gift of a Rose… https://teawithjennifer.blog/2019/04/18/the-gift-of-a-rose-at-easter/
You’re most welcome to join me in a cuppa,
Bless you,
Jennifer
It is hard when our struggles are ongoing and it seems that God isn’t answering our prayers, but it definitely helps to remember that it won’t last forever and that God can work beauty even through our suffering.
I agree, Lesley. I can’t imagine being without the hope of something more. Blessings, Tammy
Unanswered prayers can feel frustrating and lonely! Appreciate your perspective on this and especially the reminder that ‘None of life’s hard places are outside of the power of holy redemption.’
Thanks for stopping by! Have a wonderful day. 🙂
I’m so thankful that Jesus embodied hope. What a beautiful way to put it, Tammy. I love this too: “None of life’s hard places are outside of the power of holy redemption.” Amen.
Hi Lisa! He is truly hope incarnate. Such a blessing!
I’m so thankful even in our deepest darkest moments God has made a plan for us to receive his joy in his presence.
He knows every minute detail and every need. Praise God!
Thank you for linking your post up with Grace & Truth this week, Tammy. I’d love to have your post as my feature this week, however, one of the requirements for being featured is to have a link back to one of the hosts of G&T. Do you have that link somewhere on your post and I’m just not seeing it?
Hi, Amy! That would be wonderful! I don’t know how I missed the link, but it’s listed at the bottom now. Blessings, Tammy
Hi Aimee. I’m such a rule follower that I don’t know how I missed this! I’ve added the link to Grace and Truth. 🙂 Blessings, Tammy
To be consistent in prayer when you aren’t receiving the answers you hope for is one of the hardest things as a Christian. Love the post!
It is, isn’t it? These are the times I think of the verse about perseverance developing character. Blessings, Tammy
Thank you for your kind words and for sharing this post with your readers, Aimee. Praying God uses each of us to speak truth, hope, and love into the lives of others.
Blessings,
Tammy