Perspective

Recently I attended a wedding in Luray Virginia. My husband and I decided to stay for the weekend because of the time of year to enjoy the beautiful colors of fall in the Shenandoah Mountains and to get away for some “us” time.

Well, it wasn’t long before we realized that with the very unusual weather this summer (i.e. 1000 inches of rain…lol) that we were not going to experience that beauty on this particular trip. I was sad for the Bride a long time friend’s daughter as her desire was to have this same backdrop at her outside ceremony. To give you a quick background on the Bride now 23 and a Registered Nurse in a Cardiac unit in PA. She lost her father of a massive heart attack when she was still in high school. He was only 39 years old. He was a wonderful God fearing man that loved his family, friends and bluegrass music with a passion. I was honored to be among his friends and still miss him greatly. The Wedding was going to be a day filled with many emotions both joyous and sad. But God knew this and painted a beautiful backdrop of love with family, friends and of course her new Groom. The weather was absolutely perfect as was the ceremony and reception that followed.  It was a gorgeous venue with a beautiful green Mountain range to serve as a backdrop.

Love does not delight in evil, but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. I Corinthians 13:6-7

God spoke to me on this trip telling me that I often place great value on what I believe God’s priorities are for me; when in reality he has a well mapped out plan that will result in a beautiful ending; it just might not look the same to me.  Every day offers us a chance at a new beginning. We can choose to be joyful and loving despite the clouds, disappointments, disputes and difficulties or we can be entrenched in a sea of emotion that drives us to be unhappy, complain, jump to conclusions, make bad judgements, harbor grudges and be victims without voices which would be the enemy’s “Playground”.

We can rejoice too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance, and endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of Salvation. Romans 5:3-4

“I am the vine you are the branches. If you remain in me and I in you, you will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing” John 15:5

 “The thief comes only to steal, kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life and have it to the full” John 10:10

Even in all of this God will still be a loving, kind, grace giving God that will forgive us and let us start over each and every day. He expects nothing from us but a believing heart that he is the Alpha, Omega, Beginning and the end.  He is the one who sent his Son Jesus to die on a cross brutally for all of us. God is the absolute definition of forgiveness and Grace.

Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days. Psalm 90:14

As we were returning home on Sunday the drive was a beautiful, sunny albeit very windy and cold day. I commented to my husband that although I was disappointed in missing the colors the wedding was amazing. The extreme change in the weather was a reminder that God can do anything.  As we were nearing our home about 5 miles from the house…there it was ONE beautiful tree bursting with color surrounded by a grove of green trees. We both laughed at the irony of it.  It was right in our “backyard” not 2 hours down the road.

God will bring us our joy right where we are. He will meet you every single day in every situation all we have to do is ask and believe, be obedient, humble and merciful as he is to us.

God our Father and Redeemer,

Thank you God for your divine wisdom, love and unending beauty that we are so blessed to be gifted with each and every day. Thank you for your unending Grace that falls on me even when I don’t deserve it.

Fill us with your hope, joy, love, forgiveness, humility and obedience that we might be living examples of your love and your heart for all to see.

Amen

Tammy “TT” Williford lives in Waynesboro with her husband of 41 years and their dog Riley. She considers herself to be a mother of 4; a son and daughter and their chosen spouses. She also has a beautiful granddaughter who may or may not be “the love of Nanny and Pappy’s life”.

Tammy currently works full-time for a local Health System as a Patient Advocate and is looking forward to her Retirement date in November 2019.

She attends LCBC in Waynesboro, and serves on the Board of Directors for The Connection. She has discovered a passion for Women’s Ministry, and being involved in other Women’s growth in their faith. She feels blessed every day to be surrounded by so many women who love the Lord and feels that they have helped to strengthen her faith walk.  She feels gifted for Mentoring and Prayer.

Tammy continues to look for ways to grow with The Connection and help to serve as God would lead her.