Lily Remembered at the Great Wall of China

Lily was remembered by my sweet friend Eliza at the Great Wall of China! 🇨🇳 😍 ❤️ 

Tweet

Out of Darkness

My friend Eliza recently published a book called "Out of Darkness." I got my copy today. :)

I'm so deeply touched that along with Eliza's Aunt Adele (who was stillborn), my two L's are included in the dedication. Isn't it so beautiful how she phrased it... the children who took their first breath in the King's land.

My signed copy!

All proceeds from the book are being donated to Justice For All, a non-profit pro-life organization. I'm excited to read my copy!

Here are Eliza and I in Colorado at Ellerslie last Fall.. that is where we met. :)

Tweet

Heal the Wound but Leave the Scar

This song is just.... so beautiful.

"Heal The Wound"

by Point of Grace

I used to wish that I could rewrite history

I used to dream that each mistake could be erased

Then I could just pretend 

I never knew the me back then

I used to pray that You would take this shame away

Hide all the evidence of who I've been

But it's the memory of

The place You brought me from

That keeps me on my knees

And even though I'm free

Heal the wound but leave the scar

A reminder of how merciful You are

I am broken, torn apart

Take the pieces of this heart

And heal the wound but leave the scar

I have not lived a life that boasts of anything

I don't take pride in what I bring

But I'll build an altar with

The rubble that You've found me in

And every stone will sing

Of what You can redeem

Heal the wound but leave the scar

A reminder of how merciful You are

I am broken, torn apart

Take the pieces of this heart

And heal the wound but leave the scar

Don't let me forget

Everything You've done for me

Don't let me forget

The beauty in the suffering

Heal the wound but leave the scar

A reminder of how merciful You are

I am broken, torn apart

Take the pieces of this heart

And heal the wound but leave the scar

How many times I wished exactly what the song says... that I could rewrite history... that each mistake could be erased... that the old me didn't exist. How I wished I could hide all the evidence of the past, that the scars would disappear along with the wounds. I know that many people will be able to relate to that feeling, no matter what their past holds.

But, my friends, the scars have a purpose... Sure, God could choose to wipe our slates clean and give us no memory of our sin and pain. But, with that, I truly believe we would lose the knowledge of the preciousness of the blood of Christ. We would take it for granted, maybe be deceived into thinking we aren't even in need of repentance, redemption, and reconciliation to the Father.

He wants to heal our wounds and give us freedom, but maybe the scars are meant to remain. Maybe the scars are meant to shout to the world of what a redeeming and merciful God we serve, the beauty of suffering. "The memory of the place He has brought us from is meant to keep us on our knees," as the song says. We bare our scars for the world, so others see the meaning and purpose in their own scars. So that others turn to the One who uses our scars for His glory.

Thank you to my friend Eliza for sharing this song a while back (that was the first time I heard it). :)

Tweet

Lily, a Jewel, a Glisten of Life

It cheered me up on Wednesday to know others are thinking of my March girl like I am. Within 30 minutes, my dear grandmother and friend Eliza (who I met at Ellerslie this past fall) both sent me something in honor of Lily's birthday. Thank you for loving me and my girl so well. :)

This is the beautiful letter Eliza wrote to Lily (her aunt she mentions was stillborn):

Dearest Lily,

I don't know where to start with this birthday letter, but I know that God has laid it upon my heart to write to you.

Happy sixth Birthday, precious and beautiful girl. Your life was short and for some reason God chose to have you live with Him. Maybe it was because He would have missed you too much here on Earth. Sometimes, things happen and we don't know why. I don't know why my aunt had to die. I don't know why I am in a wheelchair. I don't know why some things happen the way they do. Yet, even with the not knowing why, He knows. God has a purpose in everything, and even though I wish I could have met you, I know you are in a much better place than this Earth. So, keep dancing with Jesus and give my aunt a hug for me if you could. Her name is Adel. I look forward to taking a walk with both you and Jesus in Heaven. Soon and very soon shall we all be together.

Love,
Eliza

Here is a free verse poem for your Lily:

Lily, a jewel, a glisten of life.
An everlasting beauty
Though none upon this Earth did hear your laugh
your life is authentic

Dance my dear with Him
Run and play in the safety of Him
This life is but a breath
Yet, your life has just begun

Here are a couple photos of Eliza and I, taken last fall

Click HERE to read the poem my grandmother sent me on the same day Eliza sent this letter.

Tweet