Finding Joyful Reminders of God’s Presence Amid Life’s Crushing Moments

In the heart of tragedy, such as losing everything in a fire, there emerges a profound awareness of God's presence, a gentle reminder that even in our darkest moments, we are not alone. As the ashes settle, we often find unexpected beauty—sunlight filtering through the smoke, the warmth of community gathering to support us, or a quiet moment of reflection that deepens our faith. These glimpses serve as reminders that God's love and grace accompany us through the long journey ahead, illuminating the path forward with hope and resilience.

Last Wednesday morning, a fire broke out in our garage, and in just a few minutes, our home was consumed by flames. As we watched the chaos unfold, I found myself singing "Firm Foundation" by Cody Carnes, feeling an unexpected sense of peace mingled with numbness. While I'm not quite ready to delve into the details of this experience, I can say that we are okay in every way, and I attribute it all to God’s presence and support, as is our community rallying around us.

As daylight broke and we surveyed the devastation, I gazed out where the living room window used to be, and in the distance I spotted a single dahlia in bloom. Framed by charred lumber, hanging insulation, and ashes, the vibrant pink flower emerged like a whisper of hope. In that moment, I found myself pondering, "Is it possible to find joy amidst this sorrow?

I wandered into my garden, feeling like I couldn’t breathe. But there, in the midst of everything, the first dahlia had bloomed. Miraculously, the garden remained untouched. I picked the dahlia and held it tightly as we walked through the remnants of our home. I reminded myself to focus on what we still had—our lives, both human and canine. Yet, in that moment, as I tried to be brave and choose joy, I felt my heart breaking slowly.

As we continued our walk, memories of the things we cherish and lost, began to resurface. The first thing that came to mind was my well-loved and frequently used Bible, which thankfully survived with only water damage. It did not even have the smell of smoke. The water damage will forever remind me of God’s goodness in keeping us safe. PS— I found it incredibly reassuring that I opened the Bible in this page randomly.

As the days passed, I experienced a rollercoaster of emotions. Two nights later, I still felt a bit shell-shocked, struggling to fully comprehend what had happened and why. Then, I received a notification from the northern lights app on my phone that the northern lights were visible again, just a few days after we had seen them from our previous home. I asked my husband to join me, as they were exceptionally vivid to the naked eye—something that rarely occurs. In that moment, I felt a pure, childlike joy wash over me. And I remember saying out loud “I needed this God. Thank you.”

A few nights later, I was grateful to witness the beauty of the sky once again, catching a glimpse of Comet Nishimura, albeit only through my phone. This stellar display graces our view only every 80,000 years. This rare sight felt like a true gift, especially because a dear friend had brought it to my attention and invited me to her house to watch it with her. Standing in her farmhouse driveway, we both marveled at the wonder of that moment.

For me, it was a deeply soul-cleansing experience. Looking up at the stars reminded me of God's promise to Abraham and Sarah, a testament to their enduring faith and hope during the long season of waiting for His promise to be fulfilled.

And last but not least, this week brought our first frost, signaling the end of the dahlia season. But before that, Penhill Watermelon treated us to its one and only bloom of the year. My heart sang with joy, as this is my favorite dahlia, known for its striking pinks, raspberry and peachy petals that resemble a juicy watermelon. Dahlias symbolize inner strength and creativity, making this one and final bloom all the more special.

Despite the sadness in my heart, I’ve chosen to focus on gratitude. Jesus walks with me through this journey, reminding me that even when the weight feels unbearable, I am not alone. I am choosing joy, even in the midst of grief, because these moments of beauty — the aurora, the dahlias, the comet — are reminders that life continues, and that there is always light, even after the darkest night.

In this challenging moment of my life, I find it difficult to express my prayers. It feels like I have no words, only deep emotions. So, I have turned to the Psalms, where I’ve discovered comfort and the very words that elude me. Thank you, God, for Your Word that guides us when we feel lost and draws us close when we’re wandering in the desert.

Praise be to the Lord,
    for he has heard my cry for mercy.
7 The Lord is my strength and my shield;
    my heart trusts in him, and he helps me.
My heart leaps for joy,
    and with my song I praise him.

Psalm 28:6-7