His Love Colors My Life

In "Other" Words

This week's quote is:

"In our lives the darkest times, the days that are bleak and black, add depth to every other experience. Like the dark bits of color in a mosaic, they add the contrast and shadows that give beauty to the whole, but they are just a small part of the big picture."

~ Amy Grant~
Mosaic: Pieces of My Life so Far


For the past two weeks, God has been using the darker colors of sorrow and grief to bring beauty to my personal mosaic, so today’s quote is so apropos to my situation.

My aging mother is in the last stages of Alzheimer’s. Over the last two weeks, her health has deteriorated so much that we are being forced to make some difficult decisions including separating my parents. Dad wants to continue on at the Assisted Living facility while mom now needs more skilled nursing care. She is not eating and is refusing medication so we must decide whether to continue rehab or call in Hospice.

In the midst of all the difficulties of the last two weeks, I took time out to attend our denomination’s Women’s Conference. Though I was hurting and exhausted, I decided to go since I had already paid for it.

During the worship time, He lightened the muted colors of my sadness with the brilliance of His presence as He comforted, lifted, and encouraged. The dark colors of my grief were interspersed with shining reminders of my mother’s faith and memories of happier days, as well as gilt-edged reminders of what awaits her when her suffering ends.

Coming home from the conference, I realized though the dark colors are still a part of my mosaic right now, the oppressive heaviness of their muted tones is gone. They are only a part of the whole picture creating the necessary contrast to bring out the true beauty of His face.

When I look around and see those who don't know Him, I weep. This world is blinded to the knowledge of the beauty of His Light that comforts, lifts and encourages. Their suffering must be oppressive indeed. So in the midst of my sorrow, Lord, I stop and pray for those around me who don't know Your Light. May You be a beacon shining into their darkness, turning their hearts toward You.


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