This is what my kitchen table looked like on Saturday:
I bet you can’t tell it’s a dinosaur theme! Family and friends gathered for a baby shower to celebrate the life of baby Isaac. He will be born in the next few weeks - grandbaby #5 for Johnny and I and we can hardly wait to meet him. We love to celebrate new life.
Years ago, I volunteered at our local crisis pregnancy center. A new center now takes its place called The Charis Center. I’ve written content for this amazing organization. (I will provide the link below.) The staff provides much-needed services for women and hope they will chose life for their babies.
But while God gives new life that we celebrate, we also endure days when death comes for our loved ones. Last week, that was the experience of my sweet sister. When Debbie called to tell me about the unexpected death of her husband, Gerald, I was totally in shock. The entire family reeled at the reality. What do you do when life ends abruptly leaving those behind shattered into a million sharp pieces? Mourning envelops and days are as heavy and dark like a thunderstorm in the night in the piney woods of south Arkansas. What do you do? You let grief consume you.
What else do you do? You celebrate new life. That’s what Debbie did. Because in the midst of the shadow of death, God’s grace came in the form of a baby girl, Stella Ruby. She was born the next day after her grandfather was celebrating his forever life in heaven. Isn’t that just like God the Father? He shows His deep love in the form of a baby. Just like He did when He sent Jesus the Son to be born into a very dark world, heavy with sin. Just at the right time, the Light came and still shines brightly. Brilliantly.
No, it doesn’t feel bright for Debbie today or for many, many days to come. It doesn’t feel like a good day to many others of us trapped in the fog of impending death and depression. The light seems dim and distant. But it’s still there. He is there in the face of a newborn child. In the darkness, life comes. And He gives His grace with each breath in this moment. And this moment. And the next. Love has come.
The following excerpt is from a story that will be included in my upcoming book, Unseen People: Sharing Light and Life with Your Neighbors and the Nations. Click the link below to see the progress of the book.
I’ve shared this story recently, but it seems appropriate to share it again today:
Life is precious. We take it for granted. From abortion, to abuse, to being neglected, to indifference, we forget that we ALL are precious and God gives us all life. A life we should treasure.
A Good Blog : I wrote this at the end of the crazy Covid year. Angry at the Evil
Another Good Blog: “His presence peeks through likes rays of light piercing the thick fog. And He’s there. Always there. He just had a veiled face…And the light comes. Because the fog always rises.” The Fog Always Rises
Some of the links above are associate links. That means, when you click and purchase, I receive a small percentage of that sale. Those funds, as well as funds from paid subscribers, support my writing this piece each week. Thank you! I commit to forwarding a minimum of 10% to the amazing nonprofits: She Is Safe and The Red Cord. They help raise awareness of sex trafficking. They help prevent, rescue and restore victims to new life.
A Final Good Word
At my church last Sunday, we celebrated the baptism of five students who had decided to give their lives to Christ recently. At our state Baptist camp, Falls Creek, our student minister baptized each of them and captured it on video for us all to see.
Why do we celebrate baptism? Why do we applaud when individuals are raised up out of the water? Watch this short video to see why: Baptism: Let your light shine. Immersion is a picture of the death, burial and resurrection of Christ. It is a brilliant picture of new life. It’s an everlasting life. It’s a life that starts here and ends with forever being with Jesus. It’s a life my brother-in-law is experiencing today along with so many loved ones. One day, I will be there and join the party. And while I love my life here and enjoy it with my family and new babies to be born, what a day it will be when we all get to heaven. Please make plans to join me!
I’d love to hear from you today. This is your chance to share with me whatever is on your heart today. Please share:
Contact me privately: deannalynnsanders@gmail.com.
Thank you for taking your time to read my words. And if you would, please share a good word with someone today. Invite others into our Good Word community.
Thank you, sweet friend. Always amazed at how He gives us grace.
God bless Stella Ruby!