There are times in life when we hover between the shadows and the light. Or the two work together in what looks like harmony, but we question how this is even possible. The tension of one pulls you away from the other even while knowing you are where you should be.

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I love capturing the space between the shadows and the light in a photo. I find the snapshots captivating. But when God places you in the middle of the tension and invites you to sit awhile, it feels completely different. I relate on so many levels because life is often found in the balance of dark and light. There are times we only see shadows.  As quickly as those appear, God brings us amazing light to compensate for the darkness. The beautiful tension of living in the middle between the shadows and the light describes my life for the past month. To be honest, maybe even longer.

The shadows of life appear when darkness sneaks in hoping to steal your joy. The light that playfully dances between objects, casting life’s shadows, dims and flickers. It catches you unaware and leaves you uncertain.

But life is one of contrasts and as soon as shadows fill a space, they are just as apt to disappear in a brilliant cover of light. Happiness fills and overtakes life’s shadows and the light of joy turns into the song of your heart.

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Living in the in between and hanging in the balance of stark contrasts looks like:

vivid sunsets playing off of dark clouds streaked with lightning.

death followed closely by new beginnings.

Or deep, belly laughing one minute and heart wrenching crying the next.

It is the act of grieving deeply over loss and rejoicing over the addition of a new member of the family. The light and dark which are at odds with each other seemingly begin to interact in beautiful harmony. The space between the shadows and the light is exactly where we meet God.

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Today I’m in the middle of this tension. Through it all, I’m reminded how God creates the contrast and is in every detail. I wake up with tear stains on my pillow as reality hits me squarely in the face. The daily tears remind me of the loss of my dad and the joy of welcoming a new daughter-in-law into the family. When it doesn’t seem possible to balance the joy with the sorrow, God creates the balance needed. God’s love, comfort and everlasting peace surround the heart that feels inside out and upside down.

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May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit. Romans 15:13

Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.Philippians 4:6-7

Let God be your middle! The place where emotions swirl and the shadows meet the light. Allow your center to focus on the One who brings hope and watch the tension dissipate into calm.

Whatever tension you find yourself in the middle of, may you feel the light of God’s love bringing balance back into your life.

Sitting in between the shadows and the light,

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There are two books I highly recommend as you balance in this place between the shadows and the light. The first is Hope Prevails by Dr. Michelle Bengston. The second book is The Happiness Dare by Jennifer Dukes Lee. Click on the book covers for more information and to order your own copy.
             

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