Are You Clinging to the Rock?
I am excited to have a sweet friend, Mary Denman, as my Final Friday Friends guest today. She is a skilled photographer and has a heart for expressing the Lord’s truth through her talents. If you are interested in photo tips, even for cell phones, check out her blog.
Mary is a wife, mom of five, writer, photographer, and all
around busy lady. She combines her love of teaching, writing and photography on
her blog – www.marydenman.blogspot.com
around busy lady. She combines her love of teaching, writing and photography on
her blog – www.marydenman.blogspot.com
Mary has had articles published in several national
magazines including WHOA Magazine and Focus on Your Child. She has been the
conference photographer for Blue Ridge Mountains Christian Writers Conference
and loves to do head shots for fellow authors. Contact Mary at
TWITTER: @MaryDenman
IINSTAGRAM: MaryFDenman
When I was in Italy last year at Lake Como, I noticed a
beautiful clump of flowers growing out of a rock wall. Of course I took
pictures.
beautiful clump of flowers growing out of a rock wall. Of course I took
pictures.
Then a boat went speeding by, kicking up a strong wake.
The waves started.
They washed over the flowers.
Again and again.
Covering the plants.
Soaking the plants.
Drenching the plants.
It looked like they should drown. Or at least be washed
away.
away.
But they clung to the wall.
Ready for the next onslaught.
They exhibited tenacity. Perseverance. Quiet strength.
I marveled at the lesson there.
I’ve been like those plants. It’s been the most difficult
year of my life by far, burying my mom and father-in-law two weeks apart.
year of my life by far, burying my mom and father-in-law two weeks apart.
Then,
two major surgeries four weeks later. Months of recovery.
two major surgeries four weeks later. Months of recovery.
Waves of grief and loss have washed over me. When I don’t
expect them.
expect them.
Threatening to make me feel like I’m drowning.
Again and again.
But the flowers cling to the rock.
Why? Because their roots are deep. They dig into the
crevices.
crevices.
The waves crash over them, but they don’t break. They bend.
They cling. They remain.
They cling. They remain.
There are days when I feel like I might break. But I
haven’t.
haven’t.
Why? Because my roots are deep. They dig into the solid
Rock. The immovable Rock.
Rock. The immovable Rock.
It isn’t always easy to cling. But I do. I know that God has
gotten me this far. I trust him to walk me all the way through. No matter what
waves crash over me.
gotten me this far. I trust him to walk me all the way through. No matter what
waves crash over me.
I can’t say this is easy. It’s not. I long for relief some
days.
days.
God gives me breaks in between the waves. For that, I am
grateful. Very grateful.
grateful. Very grateful.
But I also know that what I’m going through can be used by
God.
God.
To comfort others with the comfort I have received.
To deepen my roots.
And so I think of 2 Cor. 4:8 – We are afflicted in every way,
but not crushed: perplexed, but not driven to despair;
but not crushed: perplexed, but not driven to despair;
And I cling to the Rock.
Get in on the conversation
3 Comments
Hi, I am Sherry Carter. Nice to meet you!
The Conversation
Beautiful! So happy we have that Rock to cling to! Loved this post.
Thanks Caroline. I'm learning to cling every day. Have a wonderful day!
Mary
Mary is wonderful at applying God's Word through her photos. I'll forward your comment to her.