Clear as Mud

I listened to a friend share about a glorious encounter she had with God.

She described being in the car surrounded by praise music and receiving an encouragement of supernatural proportions.

Her smile was wide.  Her eyes were bright.  Her hope evident in the tones of her voice.

This isn't her norm these days.

She is dealing with pain. A broken heart awakens her every morning and follows her to bed each night.  Her prayers are repetitive. She yearns for restoration.  She aches with what should be...what could be. 

Yet none of that was clouding her at this marvelous moment.

For this brief pause she shared how God had been ministering to her...in spite...in the midst of a muddy mess.

There was this moment of clarity for her...and for me.

As I stood there listening....watching....observing...I noticed that God's glory was brilliant against the backdrop of her season of darkness and pain.

If it weren't for the oppressive pain....would she notice or even need God like she does?

If her current season was complete joy and contentment would she miss out on these marvelous moments with God?

I am not sure she would trade them but maybe....just maybe....she wouldn't go back  to who she was before.

How does pain do that?

How is it that we hate every moment of it yet learn so well from the tears cried in that place?

How is it that laughter never felt better than after periods of sorrow?

I hate watching anyone hurt.

I hate what my friend is dealing with day in and day out. 

But I loved watching her bask in the spotlight of grace today.

Her yoke was cast off and His yoke fit her like a glove...easy and free.

Like anyone else in a hard place she will endure more pain.  But marvelous moments do happen.  The mud will clear and laughter will ring as grace does its work.