“When we watch little children run around the backyard, spotting fireflies for the first time, we remember, don’t we — that even in life’s complication, childhood wonder and abundance still exist. It just takes a bit of love to draw them out.”- Aubrey Sampson
“God is too good to be unkind and too wise to be mistaken. When we cannot trust his hand, we must trust his heart.”- attributed to Charles Spurgeon
Aubrey Sampson concludes Chapter 4 of The Louder Song as she confesses her anger with God for her cousin’s tragic death. When she asks her ekahs and receives no answer, she:
- yells and screams at God
- refuses to walk with Him
- tells God she no longer believes in Him
Yet, the author notes the irony in her response. Because the whole time she spends in lament, she’s still talking to God. And He allows Aubrey to vent her frustrations. Above all, sometimes we see clearly only when looking back. Then we see God’s hand of love touching everything. For example, God’s love showed up in the kindness of the Crater Lake park ranger . He allowed a memorial park bench to take up space on national park property.
Thus, God’s love shows up in miniature miracles. So, Aubrey writes, “instead of answering our ekahs, God shows up in them.”
Furthermore, we need weekly reminders that suffering isn’t something to pass the time nor a test we must pass. Rather, through suffering God pours His rescuing love out into the world.
In conclusion, Aubrey wants you to know this:
“No matter how hard and sad things get, no matter how angry we get, God’s love reaches down through the heart and marks us. It changes us. It transforms us. In the midst of darkness, we can find unexpected surprises. . . . though suffering and tragedy are not the exceptions in this life, love is the extraordinary surprise that accompanies our grief.”
Today’s question: For you, how does childhood wonder exist in the midst of life’s complication? Please share.
Tomorrow’s blog: “The fires of sorrow – finding yourself”
