Great Sorrow Becomes Great Joy!

This is me.  

1984. 

10 yrs old.  

Chubby cheeks. 

Silly personality. 

I don't know who took this photo of me on my elementary school campus.

I don't know who gave me the cross necklace...

but I'm certain they hoped the cross would change my life (24).

 

When I was 10 "dad" 3 walked out of my life and "dad" 4 (of 7) galloped in on his non-white horse. 

I was wise enough to the ways of my world to know this "dad," who thought he was our "knight in shining armor," wasn't staying.

Though  I was a child I was no longer disillusioned by promises of forever.

I no longer believed a refuge home and a wealth of love would be mine.
Instead of hoping I waited for forever promises to be broken. 

Someone had to live in reality. 

I had to let go of their fairy-tales.

As I let go I concluded that I was not worthy of all the delightful things little girls truly hoped for...
to be someones beauty,
to be a father's treasure

to be wanted

to be loved

BUT GOD

This 27yr old photo sits beside me with each post I type.
I look at it and hear the Redeemer say,
"I gave you the cross.  Abundant Life.  Forever.  Life in the wealth of My deep love for you.

I look at the 10yr old girl wearing the cross necklace,
and I whisper in her little girl ear, "God always had victory in mind for you."{25}

And my great sorrow becomes my great joy.(26)

You're Beautiful.

You are treasured

You are sacred

You are His.

Sharing 100 Joys with Sarah Marley.