Sweet Sixteen

As the words, “sweet sixteen” came to mind, I laughed.  So fitting for this sarcastic girl, who generally refers to November as “sweet November.”  Truthfully, November is sweet.  It’s the time of year that I reflect most on what the Lord has brought me through.  It’s the time I’m most thankful for the Lord’s providence in my life, the hope for the future, and yet it’s the month I hurt the most. 

This week at church, I was reminded of the Lord’s hope and purpose for us in the difficult times, and how that shapes our character and who we are.  I am grateful for the hope I have in the Lord.  I am thankful that these times refine my character, and bring me closer to Him, and that His work in my life means the hurt has a purpose.  I am thankful for the many amazing people he has brought across my path to teach me, love me, and show me even more of who he is.

I panicked earlier this week when I couldn’t remember where I had put the cards and notes from my Daddy.  Moving will do that to you ;).  After a few minutes of panic, unpacked boxes, and a mess in my living room, I found them.  There is just something so sweet about the words left behind….of the encouragement I so desperately want to hear.  It’s like the memories are so fresh, when they feel so far away.  In a sweet moment of revelation, I realized this is the same desire the Lord has for me and his word.  With that same desperate need and desire, I should long for and cling to the words my Savior left behind.   What a sweet reminder of the refining process…of knowing there is something more than just the hurt in these experiences.  It was also a sweet kick in the butt of His expectations for me and where my focus and desperate desires need to be, and where I have definitely fallen short.

Sixteen years ago, I lost my Daddy.  Sixteen years ago, I wondered what today would feel like, look like, and how weird it would be.  After all the wonder, here it is…just a normal day.  There were moments of tears, and moments of smiles and sweet memories.  This year, I woke up to a calm peace and joy in my heart.  I could feel the prayers of my closest friends and family.  My heart will always hurt, because I will always miss my Daddy, always wish he was here.  I am blessed, though, because he was an amazing Daddy.  This craziness has allowed me to experience some unimaginable blessings in life.  It has taught me to really trust God, to seek him as a friend and to value the days I have.  In the best of times and in the most difficult of times, He has absolutely taken care of me. 

So, as “Sweet Sixteen” comes and goes, I will be grateful for the tough times, the gentle revelations, and knowing that the Lord cares enough to keep working on me.   

Psalm 145:8-9  The LORD is gracious and compassionate, slow to anger and rich in love.  The LORD is good to all; he has compassion on all he has made.