One of the more difficult things to achieve, as a woman of faith, is consistent encouraging uplifting attitude when everything around you seems to be falling apart.
The death of Rick Warren’s son has sent me hurling head long into the pit of despair.
I hate the sorrow of this world! I hate that we suffer.
I want to scream, “Why God? Isn’t it hard enough just getting through some days as a Christian, but you allow us to bury our children in the valley?”
I’m tired of burying children. We have buried so many of my children’s friends, and cousins. Why are some taken so early while others remain?
I need fresh air!
Stepping outside, the creek now languishing of water, forms islands of mud and green, spring fungus that the tadpoles find delicious. The sun is beginning to warm winter’s cold ground, and I hear that sweet still soft voice, singing over this war weary soul.
A song without words, but a song my spirit knows well. A song without melody, yet it causes my body to release its heavy yoke, and release tears.
Christ cried when Lazarus died. He knew that Lazarus would rise again in just a few minutes, yet he cried. Perhaps, I am feeling what he felt – grief. I am feeling the pain and sorrow, of a world where sin touches all areas of life, like cancer rampant through the lymphoid system.
And I am Martha, “Lord if you had just _________, then this would not have happened!”
Oh, how many things could we place into that blank?
Maybe I have this whole Christian life thing all wrong. I know God wants to do good for us. But the whole point of being here is not to have a beautiful life. The whole point of being here is to glorify God.
Is there any greater testimony than to trust Him, to love Him, to worship Him as we return our children to Him; children, who were never meant to be ours forever. Children we have the privilege of knowing and loving for a measured time.
Blessing the Lord, and shining Christ is easy when the skies are blue and the birds sing and the little frogs croak in the creek; but when life is difficult, like now, the praise is a song placed on the alter of Hope, in the land of Faith.
It is a sacrifice of praise. Joy lifted up on hands of sorrow.
When living is hard, you sing in unison, the song that He sings over you. (Tweet This)
There is no pain in heaven, only plans to give you a hope and a future.
So today, this sojourner whose attitude and yoke is much lighter, picks up her cross, and humming a tune that is begins in heaven, carries on.
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Oh, this is beautiful…stopping in from the Wellspring and my heart is heavy over it all as well… “Maybe I have this whole Christian life thing all wrong. I know God wants to do good for us. But the whole point of being here is not to have a beautiful life. The whole point of being here is to glorify God.”
Yes…struggling with this in a poem I wrote today! I am posting it tomorrow…but written in the pain of today and a daughter at 12 that is becoming a stranger before my eyes…and trying to understand it all…so many mixed feelings. Thank you for this post. I am teary eyed again today…
Welcome Dawn! Thank you for stopping by! Girl, I know what you mean about children growing up and becoming at some point a stranger in your own home. I have gone through four teens and it is not easy. Keep her busy, with church and sports, and she will have less time to get into trouble and at times too tired to argue. As you rose bud begins her bloom, try and remember that this is an amazing time of life. Don’t stress too much, laugh more than you scold. One day this teen could become your best friend. God is faithful!
Joy=hands lifted up in the face of sorrow- Di- this so eloquently expresses the only thing to do as we grieve for this family that their young son has left the world of the living far too soon- our sorrow cannot be expressed- the spirit in us just groans.
I needed the prompt to lift up holy hands in the face of sorrow today- thanks- it is JUST what I need to do, and will do, right now.
Thank you Mary, I am missing you. We need to email soon. Maybe Skype?
The whole point of being here is to glorify God.
AMEN, girl. That’ll preach 😉
Your the best Susan!
Sometimes we have to look to find the joy, don’t we? Yesterday I had a similar experience, worry for loved ones that changed when I went outside and communed with God. Thank you for sharing wonderful insights.
Nancy, there is nothing better to me, than outdoor worship!