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I know many who are struggling. They live in the “land of before” rather than the possibilities of what the “ land of after” might hold. Whispers of hope are silenced by fear. Scars seem ugly instead of serving as reminders of battles conquered, wounds healed, and brokenness made beautiful.
Light and life can be easily dimmed with shadows. Shadows that seem like cold, tear saturated, dark spaces. I’ve been there. I bet you have also. I’m grateful that throughout my difficulties in life, I’ve had the honor of hiding in the secret place of the Almighty. Even after temper tantrums and impatient moments of anger and frustration, He loves me still. He provides safety and rays of light within the shadows.
Today, I’m thankful for a God who sometimes allows me to wait in the shadows, but never permits me to stay alone. I find Him there. He is my comfort, my shield, my exceedingly great reward.
I’m praying for those who are waiting inside the darkest part of the shadows with no realization of a secret place. I pray they find their “after” and let go of the “before.” Most of all, I pray they recognize that in the “After,” Christ commands looming shadows to warm the soul.
This post is an inspiration from 
by Lisa-Jo Baker.
Here from Lisa-Jo’s site. This is beautiful, Jennifer ~ what a mercy that Christ does bring us to the “afters”. Thank you for the reminder of how faithful He is!
Thank you for reading, Sarah:).
Thank you for sharing. You know, I have come to finally understand, and, through clinched fists and closed eyes, appreciate the trials because I have seen the light after the dark. I have ridden the terrifying waves that brought me to a lush oasis. You are so right.
Thank you, Lili. I’m so glad you can identify with the post. It is a beautiful day when we can look back and see the hand of God.
At last, Jen. I finally jumped over here, after many attempts. I am so blessed by your words and is being reminded of how those before times have been now redeemed.
Thanks for coming over to my page. I am all the more blessed to have found your blog and I will keep coming over to drink from here.
Thank you, Lolita! I’m so glad you enjoyed the post.
this was beautifully written..almost I felt, a response or addendum to a post I wrote to my children about fear creeping in during a waiting season, enduring the stress of “maybe” and realizing that He speaks to us in the “maybes” of life. He “never permits us to stay alone in the shadows” – of that “maybe”. I linked these posts and hope my readers will be further encouraged as they drink deeply of His love. have an amazing weekend.
Thank you, Lisha. I hope you also have a wonderful weekend! 🙂
Very nice post. I like the concept of finding comfort in the shadows.
Laura Hedgecock
http://www.TreasureChestofMemories.com
http://www.Twitter.com/LauraLHedgecock
Thank you, Laura.