When my birthday rolled around in the fall, I looked back at the previous year and was grieved. All I could see were months of sorrow and pain from a great wound that was not healing nearly as quickly as I wanted.
And yet, by Christmas--just when I thought I'd feel the pain the most--my outlook had completely changed. And now, in 2010, by the grace of God I see a bit more clearly.
I see character developed.
I see relationships strengthened.
I see a future developing.
I see a heart healed.
And I rejoice. I rejoice that He has delivered me from all my fears. I rejoice that He has broadened the path beneath me. I rejoice that He has trained my hands for future battles, even while in the midst of fighting one. I rejoice that I learned how God arms me with strength by coming to the end of my own.
The pain had a purpose, I guess.
"For who is God besides the Lord? And who is the Rock except our God?" (Psalm 18:31)
There is no God besides the Lord--no friend, no medicine, no escape. He is all, and He is enough.
And now, I move forward.
