Redemption Song (Why the World Needs your Story, even that Messy One!)
Everyone needs a friend who can spy beauty in bedlam; a friend who can extract something marvelous out of the mess.
Everyone needs a friend who can lasso hope in the hurt and discover purpose in the pain.
My dear friend Ashley Larkin is that kind of friend.
She’s a woman who inspires me to live fully awake and refuse to sleep-walk through this short life of mine.
She makes me want to laugh more, dance more, hug my children more, and chase more wildly after Jesus.
Ashley is a beautiful woman living a beautiful life.
I just know you’re gonna love her like I do. Here she is…
If you’re like me, you long to know that it matters.
You long to know that your scrapping and scraping, your saying yes and agreeing with life in a thousand everyday decisions is for something.
You long to know that your struggle through that darkness, that loss, that abandonment, that tedium, that sorrow is for a purpose.
And though sometimes you might want to tuck away that pearl, that diamond, that precious thing that represents your struggle for beauty from ashes, we need to know it.
And though sometimes you might want to drive away the memories because you are still afraid of the dark, and it hurt so badly, you are no longer where you once were.
You climbed your way out of that relationship. You rejected the lies that told you you’re something you’re not.
You walked that journey through sorrow that nearly broke you through the middle.
That place, that hardship — you know the one I mean — we need to hear about it.
Only you will know exactly who to tell, and I’m not suggesting you cast your treasures willy-nilly, but let me just say, someone needs to hear it.
And see you live it. That hope beacon in the middle of the churning storm. The light extending from darkness.
We need to hear you sound your trumpet.
We need to hear you sound your tiny penny whistle, your little plastic drum — whatever you’ve got.
We long to hear the song that was written out in pencil-scratched staccato and flowing legato, the lines composed through tears and angry screams and silent confusion and the ones who stayed near.
We need to know the song sung between you and God — the only one who can truly make beauty from disaster, make safe places for the lonely, make shining strength from the fight.
Because you know, don’t you, that we are made for redemption, all of us.
And so we need to hear your song on that instrument trilling freedom and joy, your song of a mess being made treasure.
We need your song.
So sing it, sister. Play it, brother.
Belt out that redemption song.
Ashley Larkin, wife to Michael and mama of three shining daughters,
writes about living fully awake several times each week at her blog, Draw Near.
She believes in pain redeemed and hope where none has the business of being.
Ashley finds more and more joy all the time in embracing the messy beauty of this life and writing stories about it.
You can receive updates on Facebook and connect with Ashley on Twitter at @AshleyMLarkin.
Linking with Jennifer for Tell His Story, Beth for Wedded Wednesdays
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Oh, Ashley, thank you, friend, for inspiring in so many ways. Wish we weren’t just sharing blog space today- but space beneath the same roof- huddled up on the couch with a coffee and hours of conversation or stretched out in the backyard while the kids play. I’ll keep dreaming and one of these days I’ll give you that hug I always envision sending your way! You’re an amazing writer; what an honor to host you here!
Dear Alicia, I love your dream and CANNOT WAIT for the day when we actually meet face to face! You are a soul sister, blessed encourager, a true gift to me. Thank you again, friend, for the privilege of being here and meeting your dear readers. Jesus’ sweetest blessings over this place and the words he gives you, your life as mother and wife — all the places you minister in love, truth telling, grace and faith.
Each thoughtful word…every phrase and imagine…it always overflows with His Spirit of truth.
The “tucking away of the pearl” and “beauty from disaster” struck me immediately of Matthew 26 {the servant who hid his treasure his Lord entrusted to him} the O.T. prophet promise {I forget who} that “he makes beauty from ashes”.
The end of August finds me on the other side of the river of some pretty painful and lonely places.
I had to get counseling. I had to tell my pastor The Holy Spirit was no longer in the church and he needs to find out why. I thought I had forgiven my family, and realized I had not. Instead of getting a part time job, with The Babe trodding off to school in the fall, so we can climb out debt, God called me to home school my oldest girls. I thought honestly, I was possibly losing my mind. But God showed up! Preformed an about face in many, many situations, and I feel empowered and comforted that of He will see me through the rest. Please pray for me. As you know, I share your belief and God- planted gift and urge to share. But what? and how much?, and where to find the time? right. Not to mention I keep toying with the idea of starting a home schooling blog, because I so fell in love with such an amazing and Biblical homeschooling philosophy I can hardly stand it!
Blessings of you Ashley,
Cheers!
Leah, you have lived through much these last few months! Friend, I am praying for you and also thanking God with you for this — “God showed up!” — your own Redemption Song! I pray you would continue to experience God’s presence and that he would continue to make a way for you…in your homeschooling, in your family’s debt, in your dreaming about sharing words and the exciting vision he’s given you. I so appreciate your encouragement and words of love, as always. Blessings to you, dear sister!
Hi Ashley,
I loved your hope-filled post. i will be going to bed with aim to dream a new song between me and God.
Thanks 🙂
Anita, I am praying for you right now as you dream of a new song with God. What a beautiful picture…I am smiling so big. Blessings of fresh hope to you, dear one.
I am finding out that “this is” life. This present messed up, painful, joyful moment. Thank you dear Ashley for putting words to so many things I feel and experience.
Jenni, thank you for your words, friend! Yes. For many years, I felt I needed to categorize and make my days one thing or another. If it wasn’t perfect, if this bad thing happened or I screwed this up, then it was a waste or a disappointment. But to live knowing that these life moments can be messed up, painful and joyful all at once — somehow that frees me from trying to figure it all out or reign it in or try harder or…Truly, it is God who makes the beauty of these days, not me, and he simply asks me to come along in love and trust. What a relief.
I’m singing, Ashley and Alicia! Can you hear me? Yep! I love this amazing post, Ashley. I so resonate with what you share here today. Your words capture an enthusiasm and encouragement that I believe all of us needed to hear. I’m so glad I stopped by for a reminder that God is the great Redeemer and that He’s using you and me to sing His song and tell His story! Thanks to you too, Alicia, for always sharing such amazing writers and their hearts here at your beautiful place!
I hear you, Beth — yes, I do! 🙂 I’m so grateful you felt encouraged today and am immensely grateful to Alicia for hosting me. This living business is hard work, and we need to be reminded — at least I do — that God is continually making beauty from ashes, singing a unique song through each of our experiences. These sorrows and struggles are not wasted in his hands. I’m so grateful for that!
“We are made for redemption – all of us.” Even me, blowing my yellow penny whistle in the wind. Thank you dear dear girl for the reminder. You’re so good at helping me find the melody when all seems like noise – and hear the call of the shepherd when I’m lost. Thank you Ashley! A beautiful, uplifting, encouraging post!
I see you there. I hear you with your little penny whistle. The wind is carrying it straight to my ears. And it sounds like faith, and it sounds like hope, and it sounds like life that will not be snuffed out.
Your words remind me of Jesus’ that his sheep know the sounds of his voice, and they follow him. Your sounds — your whistles, your little lamb bleating — are calling back out to his voice — the one you know even when “all seems like noise.” Bless you, dear one. He hears. He sees.
Thank you for sharing your friend – she sings such a beautiful song. So thankful for God’s redeeming power.
I’m sneaking in here to say, thank you, Mindy, for your welcome. It’s been an honor to share space with Alicia and be introduced to her beautiful readers today.
This post inspires. This post leaves me with a smile. This post resonates with each one of us. Thank you for the call to share the redemptive power of Christ in my own life. May my struggles in life always lead me to walk closer to Him, who always holds me close.
“May my struggles in life always lead me to walk closer to Him…” Yes, Sis, I want my heart to beat with that prayer! How easy it is to allow the struggles to create wedges and disconnect and apathy. May we draw close and receive his healing so that we can sing of the redemptive power instead!
Ashley, your gift as an encourager sings a glorious lullaby of hope. You tuck words into the folds of our hearts with your tender heart.
Elizabeth, your words bless me.
As do you, friend!
Ashley, these words are so encouraging, so inclusive, so enveloping of us all! In reading your words, I am reminded to continue to see the light in the darkness and to know I am not alone on this journey, that we are a band of sojourners with a part in the symphony! Thank you!!!
Grateful to be in the light-seeking, sojourner band with you, sister!