Magnolia Blossom

Clip from Steel Magnolias

Life and death have continued as part of the ebb and flow of life. This movie clip expresses what so many feel as we stand beside the grave of our loved ones and it reminds me of the precious, beautiful Southern Steel Magnolias who have surrounded me through the journey in the “valley of the shadow of death,” held me up and helped me laugh. (Proverbs 17:22)

As I was in the deepest part of the valley, one of my magnolia friends was saying something very kind and each time this occurred I would become a weeping willow instead of the stately magnolia I wanted to be. I pleaded, “Please, don’t be nice to me. It turns on the waterworks and I cannot get it shut off.” She looked at me, smiled and then punched me in the arm and said, “Ok, I won’t!” We laughed long and even to this day, my magnolia friends, when they too struggle with emotion, will say, “Don’t be nice to me!”, and someone will take the lead and fist bump them in the arm. We all know grief and loneliness. We are all journeying through the valley. We all have the hope of tomorrow and a joyful reunion. (I Thessalonians 4:13)

The cloud of witnesses will continue to grow. Scripture tells us until the Lord returns: “While the earth remaineth, seedtime and harvest, and cold and heat, and summer and winter, and day and night shall not cease.” (Genesis 8:22) People will come and go in our lives. Each makes an impression and we in turn impact their lives.

This journey has not been without pain and tears. There has also been great joy and beautiful memories. We have to look only to the life of Jesus and know we live in anticipation of our restoration, redemption, and renewal.

Proverbs 3:5-6 has been my guide:

Trust in the LORD with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding.6 In all thy ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct thy path.

For, “Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou (JESUS) art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.” Psalm 23:4

Take time to thank the Father for His gift of grace in giving us all these beautiful people to sojourn alongside us. They can remind us of all we so easily forget in the heat our battles: “God is good all the time! All the time God is good!”

Good, Good Father, by Chris Tomlin

Father,

You are a good, good Father. You guide, guard, protect, and comfort through all our days. I lift up each one reading this who is deep in the valley and desperately trying to make sense out of something You never intended for us to endure. Lord, show Yourself strong and mighty and wrap them in Your loving arms as You have done for me so many times. Use me, to extend love and laughter, food and friendship, grace and goodness until they again can see Your light shining in the valley leading the way home. May they walk safely and surely on stones of faith.

In the name above every name I pray, the majestic name of Jesus.

Amen.