Rhonda's post on Through the Lens of Worship this week ends with a question:
"What image do you have that serves as a reminder of God's touch in your life?"
The following image is from a Through the Lens of Worship outting when we went to Wonder Valley. We had to stop to capture the beauty of the biggest lupine bushes/plants (does lupine grow in bush form???) I have ever seen.
Lupine will always remind me of Yosemite. My father was a photographer and after his death, my mom, brother, aunt, uncle and I scattered his ashes near Bridal Veil Falls. About 7 years later,my husband, a friend and I went to Yosemite. For me it was the first time since we'd been there for my dad. I decided to write my dad a letter and while we were in Yosemite, I would find the secret place where his ashes lie and leave him this letter.I wrote a long letter and told him everything that I never got to say as we were not close when he passed. I was hurt and needed to forgive, but he wasn't here to forgive. I spent some time with the Lord in that secret place in Yosemite, my husband and friend stayed back as I wanted to be alone. I said some things that I'd hoped the Lord would pass onto my dad. I then proceeded to rip up the letter and to toss it out
over the place chosen for his memorial. It was a hugely healing moment. I still struggle with the wounds and unforgiveness... it's a lifelong process. But when I see lupine, my spirit sighs and feels at peace. It was a great time of bonding with my dear friend and husband and I am so grateful they were with me that day. My brother has not been back to Yosemite in over 10 years and we may have a chance this year.
God is a God of second, third, fourth chances and beyond! He reminds me that in the end, what matters is that we love Him and seek Him with all of our hearts and to do the best we can and He is faithful to complete what He started in us.
"Being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in your will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ" Philippians 1:6
My father struggled with being faithful to God, but in the end, he made the choice to follow after Him. If we are honest, we can all admit that there are times when it is very hard to do the things that we ought to, just as Paul talks about.
In conclusion, I am reminded that even...
"If we are faithless,
He remains faithful;
He cannot deny Himself."
2 Timothy 2:13
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Praise God Sarah. I am very grateful that the Lord is taking you through this healing process. And I remember that day, and what the Lord began in you. I love you. You are a very strong woman of God, and I'm glad I'm with you.
ReplyDeleteThis post today has me in tears.
ReplyDeleteI'm reading through the Old Testament and every time the Lord did something amazing for the Israelites they built an altar or left a stone or something at the spot where God did that thing to serve as a remembrance of what God did. I think we all have spiritual markers like that in our lives, but don't always place that kind of importance on them. How cool would it be to have a photobook full of images of our spiritual markers?
Thank you for sharing this post today!!!
Yes! Thanks for sharing Sarah. I have faith that the Lord has passed your message along to Dad. And I'm so thankful you've gotten to go through this healing process at put a lot to rest. Dad would be (and is) proud of what you've become... the path you've chosen. The lives you've affected.
ReplyDeleteI've been praying for an opportunity to visit Yosemite again. To visit that small stream where his ashes lay. I can't believe it's already been over ten years. Photography really does help pass the time (as well as everyday life of course). I feel close to him when I'm holding my camera, as though I were a little kid again admiring Half Dome, or the falls, while he snapped away with his camera, capturing one of God's masterpieces. I always think back to that time he took me there. I fell in love with the place. And I can't wait to be back again.
Love ya and God bless,
-Your lil bro'