All the Days.

“Shadows and Light”

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Have you noticed life is hard for many of us right now? Not only in our personal lives; the world feels chaotic too.

Loss or trauma, past regrets, unexpected changes, ongoing health or addiction issues. Whatever it is, everybody’s dealing with something.

And sometimes when it’s hard I wonder if God is hearing me.

And if he is hearing me, what am I not comprehending? Where is the relief from the relentless troubles in our lives and in this world?

Today I read “Surely Goodness and Mercy will Follow Me all of the Days of my Life and I will Dwell in your House Forever.” It stopped me. Like it was the first time I really read that verse.

Because it doesn’t say that goodness and mercy will follow me during the times in my life that are easy. It doesn’t even say that the hard times will be short or that everything will make sense or that you won’t suffer here.

It says that Every Day of our Lives, Goodness and Mercy will follow. Even as I am walking through the darkest valley of the shadow of death. Even then, even when I feel the fear, regret, anxiety and grief of the darkness, I can trust God. In fact, the only prerequisite is that we enter God’s presence; in his word, in prayer, and through seeking and trusting him, even- especially with- the big, ugly, scary things in our lives.

From wherever we happen to be right now. He promises he will find us in any dark corner of our mind or in this world. He promises us goodness and mercy because he loves you and me.

And I’m sending you love too- we are in this together.

That’s why I paint- Gretchen

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