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.

Sorrow and inspiration

My heart was full of sorrow as I heard the news.

There’s something so sad when a person chooses to walk away from the Lord Jesus, even more difficult than grief of a loved one who was strong in the Lord.

For there is blessed hope of meeting again for the soul safe in the salvation of Christ Jesus.

But when someone who has heard the truth of the Gospel throws off those things meant for their protection, their good, their security in Jesus Christ, it rends the heart of those who love them.

My first response, after the sorrow is wonder.

Did they miss the scriptures which warn us of the dangers of rejecting God?

1 Thessalonians 4:7-8 NKJV — For God did not call us to uncleanness, but in holiness.
Therefore he who rejects this does not reject man, but God, who has also given us His Holy Spirit.

Don’t they understand that their actions are planting seeds into their future?

Galatians 6:7 KJV — Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he also reap.

Have they missed the sacrifice of the Lord Jesus to save them from sin?

Acts 4:10-12 NKJV — “let it be known to you all, and to all the people of Israel, that by the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, whom you crucified, whom God raised from the dead, by Him this man stands here before you whole. This is the ‘stone which was rejected by you builders, which has become the chief cornerstone.’ Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”

Why choose a life of wickedness, for there is only righteousness for us through Jesus?

1 Corinthians 1:30 KJV — But of him are ye in Christ Jesus, who of God is made unto us wisdom, and righteousness, and sanctification, and redemption:

At the end of all my questions, the facts remain that they’ve heard the truth and turned aside.

Whatever their reason for choosing to walk outside of God’s Word and in rejection of Him, their choices hurt those who love them.

Personally, I have watched many people choose this, and can’t understand why.

It never gets easier to experience.

Yet, my heart is encouraged by those who walk through extraordinarily difficult things with perseverance and joy.

Those individuals who have suffered and yet continue to praise the Lord.

Those who walk through persecution, loss, abuse, abandonment, and all kinds of trials yet their faith continues to grow.

They are those who refuse to see themselves as victims, refuse to fall into selfishness, refuse to abandon the Lord Jesus and His salvation.

Instead, they are humble, patient in affliction, full of forgiveness and love, always seeking opportunity to serve those around them, sharing the Gospel through word and deed.

While my heart continues to seek the Lord on behalf of those who have rejected the truth, I’m comforted by those faithful to the Lord Jesus.

Most of all, I’m inspired by the Lord Jesus and His faithfulness.

He died that those who believe should have everlasting life.

2 Corinthians 5:15 KJV — And that he died for all, that they which live should not henceforth live unto themselves, but unto him which died for them, and rose again.