Milestones

At times grief shows its face without any warning.  At other times it is very predictable.
Today is tinged with sorrow, as it is my niece Sara's birthday. 
Sorrow is to be expected.
Another milestone of grief.

Yet, a deeper grief was in residence the two previous days.
Why? 
Because grief does not follow any schedule.  It doesn't have to, nor will it.
It does not offer any apology.

It has been my experience that grief will surface when I am dealing with any emotional issues.  This emotion is also sensitive to weariness.
I know that I am not alone in that I have more difficulty with emotions when I am over tired.
So I have been both overly tired and dealing with a few issues, which offered fertile soil for grief to thrive in.

What to do?

Take it all to Papa.
He is all wise.  He is the peace giver.  He delights in taking our burdens.

My way of doing this, often is through worship.
Worship enlarges our vision of our God.
As He fills our vision our perspective changes.  Our struggles are not minimized, but rather our God is seen for Who He really is and that gives us confidence that everything is going to be alright.

A reading in "My Utmost for His Highest," by Oswald Chambers spoke of what our true goal needs to be.  We need to press on to know Jesus better and more fully.
That is my desire.  I have walked with Him long enough to know that there is nothing, nor anyone,that is as satisfying as my Jesus.
He has never deserted me.  He promised that He wouldn't and He keeps His Word.

I also am learning that when anything is given over to Him, it is made into something beautiful! 
Every single milestone and every step in between.

When we give our very selves over to Him, well, He will make us beautiful.  Just the way He already sees us!

I am reading in Galatians right now and just read one of my long-time favorite verses.  It is found in the second chapter, the twentieth verse,

" I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me, and delivered Himself up for me."

Such a lovely picture!

I surrender myself to Him; identify myself with His sacrifice, which means that I accept the fact that I, a sinner, have a Savior, who paid for every wrong I ever did or will ever commit!
Washed clean and filled with...Him! 
My God, my Savior with me, leading me, carrying me, until that glorious day. 
The day that I stand before Him and He wipes away every tear and welcomes me home. 
That will be the final milestone and then grief will be banished for all time!