Wednesday, June 29, 2011
Cherished Memories (3)
Although this life is temporary, and we live it in a broken world where bad things happen, God allows us to interact and share our lives with those He has places around us. We are meant to live in the present, but are graced with the capacity to remember, and to forgive. What an awesome combination... a combination that allows our memories to be weighted with the good we shared with others whose paths we crossed rather than burdened by the bad.
Memories are to be cherished, but the present is to be lived out... to serve and to experience all that is ahead. The present is full of choices that lead to our future. Whether that future is a day, a year, or many years; that is not for us to know, but it is for us to live.
One day, when each of our temporary is through, we will each move to eternity. In this, God has given a greater gift than memories, it is a gift of choice. I am so very thankful for the day that Katie came home from youth group all excited and eager to share that Austin had declared his choice to give his life to Jesus. Because he chose to accept this gift, he has started on his eternity with God in Heaven. One day, we will see him again there. For now, it is our job to live in the present, cherish the memories and open our hearts to those God puts in our paths today.
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Memories are to be cherished, but the present is to be lived out... to serve and to experience all that is ahead. The present is full of choices that lead to our future. Whether that future is a day, a year, or many years; that is not for us to know, but it is for us to live.
One day, when each of our temporary is through, we will each move to eternity. In this, God has given a greater gift than memories, it is a gift of choice. I am so very thankful for the day that Katie came home from youth group all excited and eager to share that Austin had declared his choice to give his life to Jesus. Because he chose to accept this gift, he has started on his eternity with God in Heaven. One day, we will see him again there. For now, it is our job to live in the present, cherish the memories and open our hearts to those God puts in our paths today.
Jeremiah 29:11
"For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
Making Sense of it All (2)
As I sit in prayer, the only thing that makes any sense is that life in this world is temporary... for some temporary is longer than others, and God is with us as we walk through the joy and the pain. He longs for us to lean on Him and grieves when we push Him away to face our pain alone... just as a mother grieves as her children push away and rush head long into disaster. He sees where we are and where we are going, and He longs to take our hand so we don't venture off into danger. Why are we like rebellious children, pushing Him away as though He doesn't know what is best? When will our eyes open and our arms and embrace Him as father, protector, comforter, Holy God - creator of all?
My mind and heart ache for His comfort as we try to make sense of Austin's death and move into Katie's wedding. Two young people; two different paths. Why Austin? Why now? Why a motorcycle accident rather than any other kind of tragedy? Lord, I feel like a little child with all of my "whys" but I trust you to know the path through this and up ahead. Take my hand and walk me through. Pick Katie up and carry her through. Make yourself known to Austin's family and friends so that they my know your peace, strength and eternal love; so that through this loss much would be found.
The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms - Deuteronomy 33:27
My mind and heart ache for His comfort as we try to make sense of Austin's death and move into Katie's wedding. Two young people; two different paths. Why Austin? Why now? Why a motorcycle accident rather than any other kind of tragedy? Lord, I feel like a little child with all of my "whys" but I trust you to know the path through this and up ahead. Take my hand and walk me through. Pick Katie up and carry her through. Make yourself known to Austin's family and friends so that they my know your peace, strength and eternal love; so that through this loss much would be found.
The eternal God is your refuge and underneath are the everlasting arms - Deuteronomy 33:27
Monday, June 27, 2011
Reflections and Mysteries (1)
One mom prepares for her daughter's wedding while another mom prepares for her son's funeral... joined by a common thread, lives intertwined, memories tangled and emotions run full circle in dizzying exhaustion...
This is the picture of our world this week. My heart breaks for my daughter's pain and for the pain of a family in mourning. At the same time, I am excited and proud of my daughter and new son-in-law as they begin a new part of their lives together and prepare for their future. I go from tears of grief to tears of joy and go through the day in numbness. So many things that people around me seem to be concerned with seem so trivial against this backdrop... yet they are important to them.
For a moment I reflect on the miracle that brought us to this point... the miracle that my husband is here to walk our daughter down the aisle in light of two almost fatal motorcycle accidents. Then my mind moves to the motorcycle accident that just took the life of her friend.
Life is so fragile. How our lives inter tangle and how much time any of us has is a mystery. I am so thankful that God knows the answers to all of my questions and that His love is ever faithful.
As I pray for peace for Austin's family and friends, I pray for my daughter and her new husband and I ask God to reveal His grace.
This is the picture of our world this week. My heart breaks for my daughter's pain and for the pain of a family in mourning. At the same time, I am excited and proud of my daughter and new son-in-law as they begin a new part of their lives together and prepare for their future. I go from tears of grief to tears of joy and go through the day in numbness. So many things that people around me seem to be concerned with seem so trivial against this backdrop... yet they are important to them.
For a moment I reflect on the miracle that brought us to this point... the miracle that my husband is here to walk our daughter down the aisle in light of two almost fatal motorcycle accidents. Then my mind moves to the motorcycle accident that just took the life of her friend.
Life is so fragile. How our lives inter tangle and how much time any of us has is a mystery. I am so thankful that God knows the answers to all of my questions and that His love is ever faithful.
As I pray for peace for Austin's family and friends, I pray for my daughter and her new husband and I ask God to reveal His grace.
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