For a day in your courts is better...

God is good- all the time- God is good.

In August of 2009 I started something called "Tuesday Night Dinners" at my grandparents house with my grandfather, grandmother, Aunt, and cousin. It was a time where I sat with my grandmother and aunt for long periods of time and learned to cook delicious meals, laughed with my family, and made so many memories. It quickly became something that was a non-negotiable part of my week.

On June 26th of this year my sweet grandmama passed away. It was painful. Still is painful. It hurts to breathe when I think about her because I miss her so very much. We talked everyday- more than once. She taught me so much. I always brought her lilies because they were her favorite. We always talked about food- I mean all the time. She loved Jesus. I loved her.

Why in the world am I telling you this now?

Because this past Tuesday night was the first time we have cooked in her kitchen, in her house- Since she passed away.
As I walked into the front door I immediately felt warmth- It was so good to walk in with a hand full of groceries ready to cook for my family. I started to sort through what I had brought- trying to get organized- all the while trying to ignore that fact that she was not sitting in her chair. I found myself several times with questions about how to make my recipe and did not have her to ask.

It ached. Goodness gracious the knot in my stomach seemed immeasurable.

I called one of my best friends when I got into the car and just let loose the tears. It felt good to vent and I was reminded quickly of the fact that Grandmama was home. She was in the courts of the Lord.


The sweet part of this seemingly sad story-

I got home that evening and sat down with my bible feeling oh so weak- I opened up to the Psalms and found refuge, hope, JOY, and such excitement in God's word.

Psalm 84 was where I landed. How good is God to point out His promises to us through reading His word!

Can I just type out the whole Psalm here? Okay- Thank you!

Psalm 84 (ESV)

"My Soul Longs for the Courts of the Lord"

How lovely is your dwelling place,
O Lord of hosts!
My soul longs, yes, faints
for the courts of the Lord;
my heart and flesh sing for joy
to the living God.

Even the sparrow finds a home,
and the swallow a nest for herself,
where she may lay her young,
at your altars, O Lord of hosts,
my King and my God.
Blessed are those who dwell in your house,
ever singing your praise! Selah

Blessed are those whose strength is in you,
in whose heart are the highways to Zion. [2]
6 As they go through the Valley of Baca
they make it a place of springs;
the early rain also covers it with pools.
They go from strength to strength;
each one appears before God in Zion.

O Lord God of hosts, hear my prayer;
give ear, O God of Jacob! Selah
Behold our shield, O God;
look on the face of your anointed!

For a day in your courts is better
than a thousand elsewhere.
I would rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God
than dwell in the tents of wickedness.
For the Lord God is a sun and shield;
the Lord bestows favor and honor.
No good thing does he withhold
from those who walk uprightly.
O Lord of hosts,
blessed is the one who trusts in you!"


Oh, to imagine the courts of the Lord!


It was such a sweet reminder of how our lives here on earth are a vapor- and of what is waiting for us as believers for an eternity!

I love the thought of my sweet grandmama waiting for me at the door of the house of my God!

We have victory in Jesus. Death, oh death, Where is your sting?


Thank you Lord for your word, for in it we find rest!