I almost missed it because I was looking at my phone. Out of the corner of my eye, I noticed a tarp, dirty and paint-splattered.
Curious, I looked up, and saw a marvelous mural going up in Edmonds. An artist was on a ladder painting the northwest in all its glory. If I hadn’t looked up, I would’ve missed the masterpiece. I would’ve only noticed the mess.
2020 has been messy. We have been splattered with the paint of unexpected circumstances. We’re grappling with the dirt of disappointment. Sometimes we laugh at memes. Sometimes we cry and ask “what next?” The truth is we don’t know what’s next but we do know WHO’S next.
Dolly Parton and Zach Williams sing a stirring duet I cherish called “There was Jesus.” This is my favorite part:
“Like a blessing buried in the broken pieces
Every minute, every moment
Where I’ve been or where I’m going
Even when I didn’t know it
Or couldn’t see it
There was Jesus….”
Jesus is in the mess with us.
The One born willing to be born in a stable is always willing to sit with us in the stink of our troubles and hurts. He’s there.
“And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”~Matthew 28:20 (NLT)
In this unsteady time, Jesus remains steady. He is faithful and we can lean on Him.
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.” ~Hebrews 13:8 (NLT)
God’s good plan for your life continues regardless of the pandemic. He never stops working in our lives. Jesus is undeterred!
“There has never been the slightest doubt in my mind that the God who started this great work in you would keep at it and bring it to a flourishing finish on the very day Christ Jesus appears.” ~Philippians 1:6
If God is with us in the mess and working steadily and diligently, then there’s always going to be a blessing to count in the mess!
Thanksgiving Day, 2017 our son had to fast in preparation for a surgery God would use to save his life. Josh was skin and bones, ravaged from ulcerative colitis, and as we gathered around his sick bed you could hear our hearts cracking if you listened. But looking back on that day, I remember our family standing strong for Josh. My dad told funny stories to distract him from the horrible liquid he had to drink. We all could be brave as knights because the King was with us in that hotel room blocks away from Duke Hospital, providing the courage.
Josh is thriving today and a tradition was born out of that crushing time in our history: we have cinnamon rolls every Thanksgiving Morning to celebrate God’s healing and faithfulness.
If you are walking through a mess in your life right now, I encourage you to look up. There is always so much more going on, always something to be grateful for. God not only sees the big picture, He’s painting it! In His hands, messes become masterpieces.
By Erica Parkerson
About Erica: My motto in life is Churchill’s, “NEVAH, NEVAH, NEVAH give up!” I have 2 kids who can both vote and a red-headed husband, dreams of seeing whales in real life and a love for Hallmark. It was at the age of 16 that I discovered God at St. Patrick’s, a little church with the most beautiful stained glass windows. He’s the best friend I have ever had. I’d love to meet you on-air every day 2pm-6pm!
