GRACE

by Pamela McCormick

I see dead limbs outside my window; I see tiny hints of green climbing the tree, as if they are saying, “I’m coming, bare branches. I’m coming to bring you new life.” I see daffodils springing up Where there was once a covering of deep and cold earth, A fragrant beauty for the eyes and the nose adding color and vibrance to a once barren lawn Green and yellow, colors of spring, reappearing and making life known Dead things are being renewed and are being brought back to life again. They were not forgotten.

I see bushy-haired squirrels and beautifully colored birds foraging for food I see little mouths filled with acorns, storing away meals for today. I see worms and bugs, being drawn from the ground, Bringing provision and much satisfaction to many hungry birds. They are all provided for They were not forgotten.

I see and hear the rain soaking the earth The ground is drinking up the moisture where there had been much dryness. I see cows lying down in green pastures Signaling the coming of even more rain I see children dancing in the rain and twirling round and round, As if to say, “Stay rain. You feel good.” The children are laughing, and all is good. And I see children making mud pies; How much fun they are to create And the good memories of life once forgotten, regenerated again They were not forgotten.

I see hurt and pain leaving my body And recognizing a refreshment coming to me and knowing That the miracle that is happening inside me is A precious gift from my Savior For God heard my cries to Him for help in my distress And He answered me. With the closeness of His Presence, God said to me, “I am doing a new thing.” God said, “You were not forgotten.”

No more am I defined by what has been said or done to me Instead, I am dressed by God in robes of righteousness and splendor Just as the tree, the squirrels, the birds, the children were provided for, God is providing something to me. A new way of thinking, a new way of seeing me. Through eyes that once saw so much darkness, my eyes now see hope rising in me.

I see a brilliant sunrise, like I’ve never seen before I see beauty and not the ashes of yesterday I see love, and I’m overwhelmed by God’s goodness, and I smile I see my sadness and tears changing to tears of sweet joy. Whispers of His grace. I was not forgotten.

“The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent me to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, and provide for those who grieve, to bestow on them a crown of beauty instead of ashes, the oil of joy instead of mourning, and a garment of praise instead of a spirit of despair.They will be called oaks of righteousness, a planting of the Lord for the display of His splendor.” Isaiah 61:1-3

Like the rain impacts the deepest recesses of the earth, God’s rain, His blessings of love and peace, are falling on me. And replenishing me. The sunshine is returning, and my countenance is changing, As God is shining His love down on me. Because of all the Lord has done, I am rejoicing and singing a new song God is delighting in me. In the good and the bad times, He continually is singing over me A song of deliverance, a song of much love His love never changes for me. His love changes me.

I hear the melody of those birds singing outside my window, And all that is within me is worshiping the God of my salvation. I am seeing God, because I am choosing to see Him and am listening closely To the love songs He is singing over me. I hear His whispers of grace, Be still and know that I am God Where things were once so broken, I am seeing things being mended and being made new God did not forget me.

I will tell others the glorious deeds He has done And I will tell others of the grace He has shown to me, a sinner I will tell them of the perfect and beautiful love of God I will go in His Name and help others know this God that has loved me so well and tell them of the new beginnings He brings. Freeing them from strongholds of fear and insecurity, Like He is doing for me I will whisper the same words of grace He whispered to me

I was never forgotten.It is because I thought I was that I can minister to others and say, “You are not forgotten.” I will be available as the Lord leads For the wounded, the weary, the hurting Because I have been all those things And Christ delivered me. That need, that kind word, that word of peace, that word of love God has not forgotten me, and He has not forgotten you.

Keep looking to God. Let God love you. Let Him pour Himself out on you. He will be the Great you need, when you need it most He will provide what you need when you cannot see life ever returning God has not forgotten you He has so many more surprises to show you. If you will just be still and listen to His Whispers of Grace

Love you more than you can imagine. Go and love others, like I have loved on you. God