“Oh, taste and see that the LORD is good!” (Psalm 34:8 ESV)
All weekend the words from this verse kept replaying in my head. Sometimes it’s so easy to forget how amazing our Saviour is and yet the last couple days I have been in awe again at how good He truly is. My husband is romantic and surprised me big time this past weekend to celebrate our 11th anniversary. As I reflected on our 11 years of marriage, I was reminded of all the little things he has done for me. The way he compliments me often and the way he still looks at me are just a couple things that show me every day how he cares for me. I am thankful to have a man that loves me so dearly. Travis would tell you he feels it is part of his job as a husband to spoil me and make me feel special. That is so important to him. I often look at my children and think of the way that I love them and think how amazing it is that God loves them, and me, even more. This weekend I reflected on marriage and how God created it to show us how much more He loves us. All that Trav does for me to show me the way he cares for me and loves me is nothing compared to the way my Holy God cares for me. Wow!!! It just amazes me to write these thoughts down. How amazing that God chose marriage to show us a sliver of what He feels for us.
“The LORD is good”.
While we were away, I read a book in which the author shared the story of her past and how God redeemed her. It reminded me of the sin I was once entangled in. I was a sinner; I was on the path that leads to death, yet God opened my eyes from the darkness and blindness and redeemed me. The book reminded me of the first time I ever told Travis about my past and how he never flinched or made me feel guilty for it. Right after I told him he reminded me who I was, and who he saw me as, and he told me he didn’t care what I had done in my past. God not only saved me, but He gave me a husband who chose not to look at my past but chose to be with me and love me despite it. How wonderful is that? When I was in the hospital after trying to take my life a friend of mine gave me a card with this verse.
“Behold, I am doing a new thing;
now it springs forth, do you not perceive it?
I will make a way in the wilderness
and rivers in the desert.” (Isaiah 43:19 ESV)
I would look at this verse and think nope I don’t perceive it; I don’t see it and I don’t see a way through the wilderness I am in. Now life has radically changed. I would never have thought my life would be where it is today. This weekend I was reminded of how my life now isn’t perfect, but it is marvelous because Jesus chose to die for me so I could be free from my past, from my sins, from the terrible things I have done and from the wilderness I was once in.
“The LORD is good”.
Church on Sunday was different as we were all able to sing together again. How good it felt to raise our voices to the one who has held us through this past year, who has calmed our anxieties and worries and given us peace that as it says in Philippians 4:7, “surpasses all understanding”. We sang songs blessing Him, stating how majestic He is, how He is our rock and greatest treasure. It was so beautiful to be able to open our mouths and exalt the one true King.
“The LORD is good”.
Yesterday I got to see my sweet grandma. After a year of not being able to hug her, I was able to give her the biggest squeeze and I was able to sit with her in person, chat with her and catch up on how life has been for her. It was so special! I thank God for her health, that through this past year He has kept her well and she can still smile, laugh and tell me funny stories at 97 years old.
“The LORD is good”.
Oh yes, I see the goodness of God. It doesn’t mean life is perfect and there aren’t hardships but through my marriage, through my redemption story, through being able to sing with my brothers and sisters in Christ and through being able to embrace my grandma once again I saw His goodness and I was left humbled that He continues to refresh my mind and pour His truth into my life.