Redemption for a Family {Part 2}

Read Part 1 here.

Spring is here! I've always been in a rush for summer to come, but God seems to want me to find rest in the wonders of spring. As my husband and I prayed before dinner the other evening, these words from my mouth surprised me, Thank you God for spring and the promise of new life. Before we prayed (it was my turn to pray) I gave a slight sigh as I wasn't sure what my prayer would be. I love how if we begin with a single word and full surrender to God, He will do the rest.

This passion of mine to capture spring through the lens of my camera has me in awe of the new life blossoming before me. There is beauty in watching life appear through the dirt. Maybe I'm still overflowing with gratitude from the impact of this past Easter. I wondered as Easter ended, what comes next? As I write the answer comes. The promise of new life comes next.

We come to the cross and surrender our old life to Christ and we are made new.

Do you think this is what God intended with spring? He gives us new life springing up all around us, and all shortly after when the resurrection of Christ took place. I'm still feeling like the new girl on the block when it comes to my faith, so pardon me if I seem late to this revelation.

As I find rest in the wonders of spring, God reminds me of the new life He has given me and also my husband and children. I'm not always sure if I can include my children because they are not believers, but as my husband and I were filled with joy and peace from trusting God, hope overflowed and touched the lives of our children (Romans 15:13).

I see this new life Christ has given us with fresh eyes. God really does redeem. Memories of pain begin to fade and they are replaced with moments to celebrate. Some are small moments but the small are worth rejoicing over. Then there are those moments where time seems stands still and I hear God whisper, "Don't miss this. I'm doing something new."

"See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland." ~ Isaiah 43:19

Now I understand why He directed me to find rest in spring...to see how He made a way.

• He made a way for a father and son to learn how to love each other. A relationship that spent years in turmoil has been made new. To witness a recent embrace sent my heart leaping with joy.

• He made a way for another son to realize his full potential as both a musician and a student. I'm blown away by his talent.

• He made a way for a marriage to not only survive, but to bring together a union that was never fully made...a marriage that joins man, woman and God. I would have never imagined our evenings would be spent praying together.

• He made a way for a family to find healing — to be made new.

I'm still humming these lyrics over and over again, "Thank You Lord. I just want to thank You Lord." My heart is overflowing with gratitude.

"For this reason I kneel before the Father, from whom every family in heaven and on earth derives its name. I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his Spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the Lord’s holy people, to grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of all the fullness of God.

Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us, to him be glory in the church and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen."

~ Ephesians 3:14-21