Shattered

That’s what I would have been if it were not for the Lord.

For this month has been filled with grief and some uncertainty, for our family.

It began with a family very dear to our hearts, they tragically lost their unborn baby and we were praying it wouldn’t take the life of the mother as well.

My heart felt sick for their loss, but as the mother recovered I was very thankful.

Our hearts were still raw from this when our oldest daughter let us know she was pregnant.

Sadly, our response wasn’t what she expected, not because we don’t want more grandchildren, but because our hearts were still healing.

This news came on the heals of an ER visit by a different family member who was released but with questions as to what was going on.

Thus, we didn’t respond with excited enthusiasm, more like careful praise.

We prayed daily for our daughter and her unborn baby.

My heart dropped when I received a call from her communicating something was terribly wrong and they were headed to the ER.

God’s plans are perfect.

My husband had taken the day off to go hunting with a friend and at the last minute neither of us has peace about him going so he called his friend and cancelled.

It was that same day our daughter was taken to the hospital.

We drove there and swapped vehicles, taking joy in the ability to watch our grandchildren, while praying for our daughter, son-in-law, and baby.

At one point, the news was not good and we prayed, telling the Lord we trusted Him with our daughter and her baby.

I texted prayer requests and loved on our grandchildren like crazy.

In the end, God restored our daughter, but the baby is at home in Heaven.

A few days later, I got a message from our daughter who lives in Chicago.

She was heading to the Urgent Care.

My husband was able to chat with her over the phone and we prayed.

The next day I received a call from her husband’s Grandmother who was taking her to the hospital.

I cried.

I texted prayer requests.

Thankfully, the hospital put her on medication which worked quickly and we were rejoicing at her quick recovery.

Throughout these days of grief and uncertainty, God carried us.

He was in the middle of the entire thing, helping us have joy even with the grief.

Although our hearts were filled with sorrow we had the security of God’s Word and the comfort of a future when we will all be together in Heaven.

At one point I was sharing with our daughter one thought which brought me so much comfort.

“You know your baby and our friends’ baby are both with Jesus.”

Her voice suddenly had a note of hope in it, “Yes! I bet they are having a wonderful time together.”

“I’m sure they are.”

As I look backwards at these days I’m astonished by the faithfulness of God.

He orchestrated such incredible details throughout the whole thing.

Things like my husband being off work.

Our daughter being with her husband’s Grandmother.

Our Ladies’ Bible Study being so supportive.

So many people taking meals to our daughter and husband.

The huge number of people praying…

If someone had told me what I was going to walk through, I’d have told them it would shatter my heart into a million pieces.

But I’d have been wrong.

Instead of shattering my heart, it has strengthen my faith and renewed my joy.

It has brought me to a place where I can let go of our children and grandchildren into God’s hands, for He is far more capable than I.

Lastly, it has reminded me to love more deeply, cherish the day I’m in, and rest in the Sovereignty of God.

He alone can see tomorrow.

It is He, which knows the number of my days as well as the number of each of my loved ones.

His ways are perfect and I can rest in that.

I have comfort in His Word and hope in His future.

Psalm 27:1 NKJV — A Psalm of David. The LORD is my light and my salvation; Whom shall I fear? The LORD is the strength of my life; Of whom shall I be afraid?

Psalm 37:39 NKJV — But the salvation of the righteous is from the LORD; He is their strength in the time of trouble.

Psalm 56:11 KJV — In God have I put my trust: I will not be afraid what man can do unto me.

Isaiah 61:10 NKJV — I will greatly rejoice in the LORD, My soul shall be joyful in my God; For He has clothed me with the garments of salvation, He has covered me with the robe of righteousness, As a bridegroom decks himself with ornaments, And as a bride adorns herself with her jewels.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your help in times of trouble. Thank You for Your salvation which brings us security for our future. Lord, thank You for Your wisdom, which brings us guidance and direction. Lord, thank You for Your truth, Your Word is our comfort and encouragement. Lord, thank You for Your Holy Spirit which gives us peace no matter the circumstances and joy even in the midst of grief. Lord, thank You for Your faithfulness, for we knew You were with us throughout these circumstances. Please continue to heal the hearts of those who mourn. Please help each one to walk through the grief while clinging to Your precepts and focusing upon Your will for their lives. Lord, for those who are watching their loved ones pass away, I humbly request You meet them where they are. Bring them assurance in their time of sorrow. Bring them wisdom and direction, that they might honor You in all things. Lord, please continue to draw Your people close, that we might be more like You. You are well aquatinted with both grief and suffering. May we, each one, find shelter in You. May Your name be glorified through our lives and may we honor You in all we say or do. Thank You, Jesus. I humbly request these things in Your name, Jesus. Amen.

The gift of patience

1 Thessalonians 1:3 KJV — Remembering without ceasing your work of faith, and labour of love, and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ, in the sight of God and our Father;

Paul’s letter to the Thessalonians holds these beautiful words:

“…and patience of hope in our Lord Jesus Christ…”

For the follower of Christ, their reason to be patient is their hope of eternity, bought by the precious blood of our Lord Jesus.

Patience is a consequence of a soul secure in Him.

It is an understanding of who God is and what He has done.

It’s also an opportunity.

Patient obedience to pickup our cross daily and follow Christ is a privilege.

It draws our hearts closer to our LORD and it helps us to be a testimony to others.

And we desire that each one of you show the same diligence to the full assurance of hope until the end, that you do not become sluggish, but imitate those who through faith and patience inherit the promises.
Hebrews 6:11‭-‬12 NKJV

Our diligence in following Christ is a testimony to those around us.

Thus our patient attitude of hope is a witness to the world.

This Christmas let us give the gift of patience.

James 5:11 NKJV — Indeed we count them blessed who endure. You have heard of the perseverance of Job and seen the end intended by the Lord—that the Lord is very compassionate and merciful.

May we be patient and steadfast in shining the truth of Jesus Christ in mercy, gentleness, kindness, compassion, and grace with those God has placed in our lives, loving as He does.

For all times and seasons are in His hands, and:

“The LORD is righteous in all his ways, and holy in all his works.” Psalm 145:17 KJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your gift of patience. Thank You that it is through Your salvation we can rest in hope of eternal life. Lord Jesus, only in and through You do we find the ability to be patient, gentle, kind, merciful, compassionate, and loving. Lord, on our own we are simply unable to wait patiently, because it is through Your hope we have peace. Thank You for that. Thank You for Your birth, Your death, and Your Resurrection! Thank You for Your Holy Spirit which teaches and admonishes our hearts. Lord, please help us to be people of patience, peace, and joy. Thank You. Amen.

Finding hope

1 Peter 1:3-4 NKJV — Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His abundant mercy has begotten us again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, to an inheritance incorruptible and undefiled and that does not fade away, reserved in heaven for you,

Unless we truly understand the truth of these words, we will miss finding hope.

Because true hope, confident expectation, is through Jesus Christ.

Acts 4:12 NKJV — “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Thus, when we believe on the salvation of our Lord Jesus Christ and we accept His payment for our sins, we are granted hope, confident expectation, of eternal life.

Our future lies in heaven with Him.

Therefore, nothing on this Earth is permanent.

No circumstance is everlasting.

No pain endures past the grave.

Jesus said:

John 14:3 NKJV — “And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also.”

Thus, finding hope resides in understanding salvation.

Finding hope requires our complete surrender to God.

It’s also a beautiful daily practice.

Romans 12:12 KJV — Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;

For the follower of Jesus, our hope is in Christ and in this truth we can rest secure, patiently hopeful.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your Word. Thank You for salvation. Thank You that You know what each one of us needs each day. Lord, help us to daily rejoice in our hope, to be patient in tribulation, and steadfast in prayer. Help us to view life through Your Word. Lord, please continue to polish and hone us as we seek to honor You every day. I love You, Jesus. Thank You for first loving me. Amen.

Psalm 12

To the Chief Musician. On an eight-stringed harp.[fn] A Psalm of David.

Help, LORD, for the godly man ceases!
For the faithful disappear from among the sons of men.

They speak idly everyone with his neighbor;
With flattering lips and a double heart they speak.

May the LORD cut off all flattering lips,
And the tongue that speaks proud things,

Who have said,
“With our tongue we will prevail;
Our lips are our own;
Who is lord over us?”

“For the oppression of the poor, for the sighing of the needy,
Now I will arise,” says the LORD;
“I will set him in the safety for which he yearns.”

The words of the LORD are pure words,
Like silver tried in a furnace of earth,
Purified seven times.

You shall keep them, O LORD,
You shall preserve them from this generation forever.

The wicked prowl on every side,
When vileness is exalted among the sons of men.

Psalm 12 NKJV

It is easy to think the times we are in are unique, never before seen.

In many ways this is a unique time, but it is not never before seen.

God has seen the ways of mankind from the very beginning and although we may be coming up with new ways of doing old things, the heart of man is the same as of old.

Wickedness and evil are still here.

The poor and the needy are still here.

There are oppressions, slaves, and wrong doing happening around the world.

It happened in David’s day, our day, and all the days in between.

But God…

He knew at the fall of Adam and Eve that sin would wreck His good creation and He promised at that point in history to provide a way for us to be saved.

After these things I looked, and behold, a great multitude which no one could number, of all nations, tribes, peoples, and tongues, standing before the throne and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, with palm branches in their hands, and crying out with a loud voice, saying, “Salvation belongs to our God who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb!” Revelation 7:9-10 NKJV

Although, these days are unique to history in the way people are suffering and striving, but God knew this would be the consequence of our stiff-necked rebellion and He loves us so much He saves us from these things.

Our God is Mighty and able to save.

He came Himself as a humble man to endure suffering and to walk among those who strive to bring hope, peace, and salvation.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for all You have done and all You are doing each day. Lord, thank You that these things we are seeing and experiencing are not outside Your abilities. Thank You that You have already brought us salvation and now we are able to rest in You, knowing our soul is safe when we believe upon Your name and what You have done. Thank You for all Your compassion, mercy, and long suffering. Thank You for reaching out to each sinner, loving us before we loved You. Please help us to be devoted to You in all things. To walk in the paths You have given that we might bring glory and honor to Your name. I love You, Jesus. Amen.

Pain

Matthew 26:48 NKJV — Now His betrayer had given them a sign, saying, “Whomever I kiss, He is the One; seize Him.”

When they had twisted a crown of thorns, they put it on His head, and a reed in His right hand. And they bowed the knee before Him and mocked Him, saying, “Hail, King of the Jews!” Then they spat on Him, and took the reed and struck Him on the head. And when they had mocked Him, they took the robe off Him, put His own clothes on Him, and led Him away to be crucified.
Matthew 27:29‭-‬31 NKJV

Mark 15:15 NKJV — So Pilate, wanting to gratify the crowd, released Barabbas to them; and he delivered Jesus, after he had scourged Him, to be crucified.

Just three portions of scripture, but they contain such incredible pain.

He was betrayed for money by one of his closest friends.

Jesus was beaten after being questioned by the religious leaders. Luke 22:64

He was scourged and beaten by the Roman guards.

He was hanged on a tree and yet had done nothing wrong.

Jesus knew pain and suffering.

And incredible as it is, the truth is He chose it to save mankind.

Thus pain and suffering was the short term cost, but the long term gain was life eternal.

For those who are called by His name, let us take heart when dealing with pain and suffering.

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to  be  compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.
Romans 8:18 NKJV

Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Hebrews 12:1‭-‬2 NKJV

Pain and suffering are part of this life and Jesus experienced an enormous measure.

But the hope we have in heaven is sweeter by this understanding of the cost to Christ.

Many are the afflictions of the righteous, But the Lord delivers him out of them all.
Psalms 34:19 NKJV

And I heard a loud voice from heaven saying, “Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and He will dwell with them, and they shall be His people. God Himself will be with them and  be their God. And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes; there shall be no more death, nor sorrow, nor crying. There shall be no more pain, for the former things have passed away.”
Revelation 21:3‭-‬4 NKJV

Dear Reader, whatever pain, suffering, or fear you may be walking in or struggling with this day, I pray you realize this world is not the end and for those who put their trust in Jesus Christ there is a marvelous hope, heaven and eternal life.

Pain is difficult, but it doesn’t have to be permanent.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your sacrifice. Thank You for being our payment for sin and death. Lord, thank You for suffering and experiencing pain to save us. Lord, please continue to help each one of us to look to You in all things. To realize nothing is beyond Your touch if we will simply surrender it to You. Lord, no matter the future, or the ways of this world, thank You for being our rock, our shelter, our provision. You alone are worthy of praise. You alone are the One Who saves. You alone are the security for both this life and eternity. Thank You. Amen.

January 7

Today’s prayer:

Lord , my heart is not haughty, Nor my eyes lofty. Neither do I concern myself with great matters, Nor with things too profound for me. Surely I have calmed and quieted my soul, Like a weaned child with his mother; Like a weaned child is my soul within me. O Israel, hope in the Lord From this time forth and forever.
Psalms 131:1‭-‬3 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your faithfulness. In a time and season such as this, these words are so applicable. Help us to quiet ourselves before You and to walk with understanding in Your ways. Lord Jesus, please guide and protect us, that we might walk in Your ways and live honorably before You. Lord, let our hearts not strive to “do” or “make” or “force” but instead help us to hear Your voice and to obey. Lord, it is only in You that we find truth. Only in You that we find security. Lord Jesus, please hold us in Your ways and teach us what Your will is daily. Let us not be distracted by arguments, nor slide into selfishness, but instead with humility bring all our needs before You. Thank You for all Your wonderous works. Please, free the captive, save the lost, heal the hurting and sick, protect the innocent, provide for the needy, and return the prodigal. Thank You. Amen.

It’s about to begin!

She’s going to compete in her first college track meet!

I’m so excited.

And a tiny bit nervous.

To realize how God has walked her through everything to reach this moment.

My mind sifts through the past and my heart is filled with wonder.

When she was 13 months old, she stopped growing.

Babies are not supposed to do that.

So, we embarked on a scary journey of blood tests.

13 month old babies don’t like getting their blood drawn.

Everything came back normal and we discovered the issue was teeth.

She broke eight teeth, four molars and four eye teeth.

Then she went back to growing.

I think of the waiting room at the E.R..

We were waiting to find out if she had burst her spleen in a basketball game.

Then later that same season she busted her knee open, requiring stitches.

The final injury of that traumatic season was a concussion.

The moment in the doctor’s office when I realized I hadn’t handled her injury correctly.

I’d actually placed her in danger.

But, praise God, He held her and she recovered.

There are so many more memories.

One of my favorite is when she was seven.

We were working at the church and she’d noticed the sink full of dishes awaiting a washing.

Without comment, she found a stool.

My husband had walked past on his way to retrieve a needed item and found her busily washing dishes.

It wasn’t a one time thing either.

Sometimes after church service, we’d find her with the sweet lady who tidied up, busily washing dishes.

That same year, I was having a terrible day.

Nothing, was going right.

The house was a wreck, my homeschooling wasn’t a success, and it seems like we were expecting company.

That part of the memory is fuzzy.

What I remember clearly is my emotions, I was on the verge of bursting into tears.

She looked at me for a second or two.

Her dark eyes just reading mine.

Then she went to the hall, grabbed out the broom and went to work on the floors.

She never said a thing.

But I’ve never forgotten what her actions spoke so clearly.

Infact, spoken words have never been her thing.

It’s little wonder God is using her actions (she’s attending school on a track scholarship) to propel her into the future.

I’m so amazed at how God is working in her life today.

He’s brought up this beautiful young woman and is giving her a future and a hope.

I have no idea what to expect from the circumstances.

But I do know what to expect from the Lord.

Whatever His plans are for her,

it will be good!

Jeremiah 29:11 NKJV — For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the LORD, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

Spiritual health

“For I know the plans I have for you;  plans to give you a future and a hope.” Jer. 29:11

God’s Word is encouraging, even when it points out sin, even when it shows us our failures.

Why?

Because God, Himself, tells us He is showing us two things at all times: a future and a hope.

How could sin revealed bring a future?

Because when we walk in sin our lives are going to reap the ugly consequences which are tied directly to a sinful life, yet God wants us to choose something better; to turn from sin and reap a future of joy.

How can sin revealed bring us a hope?

Because without the knowledge of sin and the death it brings there would be no way to reach repentance.

To see ourselves for who we really are means understanding our personal need for God, not any god, but the One and only Holy God Almighty, the Creator, our Lord Jesus Christ.

So spiritual health is dependent on our ability to be revealed in truth.

The truth of Scripture gives us hope for change and a blessed future: eternity with Christ.