Beauty in Ashes

To all of you questioning where God is. I am too. I spent the majority of my night in tears. Watching the news. The rain (which is usually my favorite, but today was not bringing me joy) I scrolled through social media watching families in my community scared to death. So I also caught myself stopping to ask God with a face full of tears, where are you? You are a God that makes Beauty from ashes and all I see right now is ashes, so where are you? I want to be your Light. In a world so full of fear, I want to point people to you. But I cannot do that if don't know where you are.

So I asked Him. Then I Listened. And this is what I heard:

He is in the water. The water that is clearing itself of pollutants as we all stay inside.

He is in the air. The air that is clearing up because we aren't driving everywhere everyday.

He is in the families. The families who have been spread far across states and are now all brought home, together.

He is in marriages. My marriage. A marriage with two opposite schedules, so busy and full, who now have time to slow down and fall in love all over again.

He is in your neighbors. Neighbors who are experiencing Him for the first time because people are going out of their way to take care of one another.

He is in the lunches. The some 400 lunches House of Hope has given out in the last week by people of the church (which Is NOT a building) are providing.

He is in the stillness. The stillness so many of us never experienced in this high pace society of ours. In this stillness, people are hearing His voice for the first time.

He is in the free hours. The hours in which our usual commitments where canceled. He is opening up so many new gifts and talents. Allowing us the time to create, learn and grow in ways we always said we didn't have time for.

No, I don't believe He is behind this all, or making this happen. He feels the pain and His heart breaks for His children who are ill and fearful. But yes, I believe He is here. He is all around us, making beauty from the ashes. In a world so overrun with chaos, fear and anxiety, maybe you need to stop and ask Him where He is. And then listen. Listen to His response. Listen to how He is moving in your life. Listen to how He wants you to respond. Listen, because yes, He is here. 

-Brooke