After a rain of tears, there is always more of you than before. Rain always brings growth.”- Ann Voskamp
In Chapter 11 (“Breaking into Being Real”) of The Broken Way, Ann Voskamp compares the past, present, and future. She shares the following three observations:
- the past– a memory sealed right into you
- tomorrow– a mystery unknown to you
- today– God’s momentary gift to you (why it’s called the present)
Yet, past memories often bring feelings of sadness and regret, especially the words “if only“. As a result, Ann delves into the nature of regret:
“But there’s no way back. Maybe life tastes a bit like regret. Whatever you do or don’t do, there is no way to never taste it. And though you may have to taste regret you don’t have to believe . . . [or] live in it, like rowing a boat that goes only backward, trying to find something that’s been washed out to sea. It’s God’s sea. And that means all is grace.”
As Ms. Voskamp points out, the gift of sadness enables us to avoid the nothingness of numbness. Furthermore, God’s grace allows us to make U-turns, even though time may not. In addition, Ann relates the deepest comfort she knows. She encourages that God holds us in His arms, even when life abandons us.
However, Satan, who hisses “with masked innocence,” lies to us. He tells us our God isn’t good enough to turn the bad in us around. Satan wants to steal our very knowledge of the Healer’s presence (emphasis Ann’s).
Satan’s prosecutions ultimately imprison you. Ann concludes:
“Make Him present — even when it feels too broken.”
Today’s question: After a rain of tears, how has rain brought growth to you? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “Believing against all odds”
