Isn’t Facebook fantastic?? That Mark Zuckerberg is one smart cookie! It’s a wonderful tool to share pictures, stories, call internationally, stay in touch or even reconnect!

Today, I was reminded of the power of Facebook through its “memories”. What an ingenious idea to remind you what you shared a year ago or even 9 years ago on this particular date!

For me, today, I saw this memory from 2010:

It was nice to dream of her finally last night…It was good to hear it wasn’t my fault and to hold her hand one more time….still hard to believe so much has time has past and so much has changed…bittersweet this morning but actually…maybe…heaver on the sweet.

This memory was a month after the first anniversary of my sister in law’s death.

In the calendar year that had followed her death I became a new person…After a losing battle with despair, I sought help for my sorrow and confusion. In my seeking, I found Jesus waiting to comfort and heal me.

In that calendar year I chose to make the journey through my grief to get to the other side of it….

That choice paved the way for this dream that finally lifted the last of my guilt that I failed her. I was finally in a place where I could receive it as the gift it was.

Better than Facebook, God uses His Word and other sources to continue to remind me of how truly far I have come:

Jesus Calling September 23 (italic emphasis by me)

“Walk with me in the freedom of forgiveness. The path we follow together is sometimes steep and slippery (my path included a social escape from alcohol, my sons health, and marital difficulties). If you carry a burden of guilt on your back, you are more likely to stumble and fall (my burden was a fear of continuing to fail those I loved). At your request, I will remove the heavy load from you and bury it at the foot of the cross (see my blog from September 21). When I unburden you, you are undeniably free! Stand up straight and tall in My presence, so that no one can place more burdens on your back. Look into My Face and feel the warmth of My Love-Light shining upon you. It is this unconditional Love that frees you from both fears and sins. Spend time basking in the Light of My Presence. As you come to know me more and more intimately, you grow increasingly free.”

I read those words on the same day I saw this Facebook memory for the first time in 2015. I was able to write that I was forgiven and that I knew I had really let her go into the  Father’s hands.

But it gets better- because that is just how GOOD God is…a SECOND devotional writes these words on the SAME date:

The 365 Most Important Bible Passages for Mothers September 23

(emphasis mine including visual picture choices)

“God didn’t want them to lose hope that the good things he had promised would happen. the heartwarming predictions in this passage are a hopeful song that god offers to anyone who needs a reminder that times of difficulty don’t have to predict the future…He sings the song of a new day over you. He sings the song of new possibility. He sings the song of unfailing love. He wants you to share his belief that good things will happen again. He makes promises that only he can keep. Let his song of promise give you new reasons for hope.”

In the 7 years since I first wrote this Facebook post I have realized that my difficult times DID NOT predict my future– a future that has me waiting for a handful of teenagers to come over on a hot Saturday night to fellowship and study the Word. I have seen the exciting new possibilities that a life with God offers! I have seen good things happen again and again! God has shown me reasons for hope!

God is NOT done with this date! He now uses a THIRD devotional to drive His points of forgiveness, grace, and mercy home for me!

Jesus Always September 23 (emphasis mine again)

“I know you sometimes feel as weak and helpless as a bent reed or a faintly burning flame. Accept your weakness and brokenness, beloved; let them open your heart to Me. You can be fully yourself with Me because I understand you perfectly. As you tell Me your troubles, I refresh you and offer you Peace that surpasses all understanding. Instead of trying to figure it all out (which is what I consistently try to do!), lean on Me in confident trust. Go off duty for a while, trusting that I’m watching over you and working on your behalf. My healing work within in you is most effective when you are resting in My watchful care.”

What God does for me is open for everyone…that is the beauty of a relationship with the Lord. He does not discriminate…only loves.