The people walking in darkness have seen a great light; on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned. Isaiah 9:2 (NIV)
Do certain dates mark a time in which God shined a bright light into your deep darkness?
Today is such a day for me. It’s this day, 28 years ago (January 7, 1988) that our Hannah Joy was born: a bright light into my land of deep darkness.
It had only been 1 year since I had fallen into a pit so black I didn’t think I’d ever witness the light of hope again. Exactly one year earlier an ambulance wailed down the street, announcing to all of our neighbors that tragedy had struck our young family. That ambulance carried our 7 month old daughter out of our house. We would never again hold Karissa in our arms or be warmed by the bright joy of her presence.
It’s those gripped by the chilling cold of darkness who deeply appreciate the dawning of the light!
“…on those living in the land of deep darkness a light has dawned.”
The months following our daughter’s death were illumined with faint shadows of God’s presence with me. Within my withered and lifeless soul, God’s Word began to gently glow. A slow trickle of hope began to fill the uncertain and fearful caverns of my fractured heart.
“My future is in your hands. Let your favor shine on your servant. In your unfailing love, rescue me. How great is the goodness you have stored up for those who fear you. You lavish it on those who come to you for protection, blessing them before the watching world. 21 Praise the Lord, for he has shown me the wonders of his unfailing love.” (Psalm 31:15, 21)
When our days feel dark and hopeless circumstances blind our way, do we really dare to believe that God is storing up goodness towards us? Goodness that will be lavishly poured out at an appointed time? Will the light of His favor shine on us again? Will He bless us with His unfailing love before a watching world?
For the past 28 years, the light of January 7th dawns to remind me that anyone who has breath can dare to trust in the Truth of God’s promises. They are sent to light the way for those living in deep darkness!
…for those living in the land of deep darkness, a light has dawned!
It is with continual gratitude for God’s unfailing love that I declare, “Happy 28th Birthday, Hannah our Joy! Thank you for being the spectacular reminder of God’s brilliant favor, the perfect tapestry of His unfailing love, the choice vessel used to lavish us with His goodness. When He brought you into our family, He blessed us before a world that was waiting and watching with us for a light to shine into our darkness. You are a beautiful reflection of His glorious light and are so deeply loved!