And So We Start Over
December 1, 2014 Here
Again?!
As my head says GRACE, my heart says THIS HURTS. It's felt deeply on every level, physically, emotionally, and in a sweet way, spiritually. That’s what we count on. His grace is sufficient when our hearts hurt. I can’t say it any better this year than I did last year. But last year I was not blogging. I was just writing in my journal. I feel it is worth sharing now.
I knew then, and I know now that "oceans" deep are where our faith grows. I've made a concerted effort to meditate on John 1:5 this year, "The light shines in the darkness and the darkness has not overcome it." So when you ask, “how are you? How is Josh?” I will be honest. There’s a tender peace and a tender pain. But I will always testify that God is with us, Emmanuel. My prayer is that God will be glorified in every way, in every heart impacted by this event. I know that God does not waste a thing. The entire story of Joseph is evidence that what men meant for evil, God meant for good. So knowing the character of God, I know that there will be fruit from this experience. I feel the grace, we all do. The following are two journal entries from last year. The Lord knew what I would need to read today.
Audrey Assad, Good to Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-vSGoJtB0M
(Last Year, ACL Journal Entry 1) December 5, 2013: Today I Wept
Not a “wet blanket” over Christmas joy, just truth that “fire” painfully purifies. For if it were wet, the fire would die…
If this were a “wet blanket” it would smother the fire. But nothing can smother God! Yes, letting go hurts, but the eternal things we never really have to let go of! So when we let go, and let God, it hurts, but for all the right reasons. It hurts because we love. It hurts because we are being made stronger. It hurts because we release those we love. But when all is stripped away, HE REMAINS. And HE will walk through the fire with us.
Hebrews 12:28-29 “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.”
John 11:34-36 and said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. So the Jews were saying, "See how He loved him!"…
Jesus wept because HE LOVED. HE LOVES! And Jesus knew the outcome! He still wept...
I’ve wept with my husband and friends over the good and the bad. Over friend’s children going ahead of them to heaven, over families torn apart, illnesses, ICUs, over joyful things, races run, 5ks, half marathons, ironman’s (none of these mine!) exams done, that first day of work after she turned 12 weeks old, hellos, goodbyes, the first day of kindergarten, friend’s children going to college, then our child going to college, children coming home, other’s children in our home…like our own, the face of poverty in Haiti, Honduras, Danville, the joy of adoption, missions, young hearts guarded, our kids getting to “taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in HIM.” (Psalm 34:8) water wells (physical and spiritual), I could go on…
All the joys and sorrows draw us closer the Jesus, the One Who wept because He loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. He is the One who intercedes for us after bearing our cross. We must let go. We must point to HIM in every moment. Nike says, “just do it.” God says, let Me do it. Grace and Mercy are gifts, HE is the giver.
Today I’ve wept. I’ve wept over my boy. Why this anguish? Because I love him. Why this peace, because HE LOVES him. Just when I thought, “wow, I let my baby girl leave for college, and I felt HIM holding me, holding her…” I felt HIS presence in the pain, seen the beauty in the rain. And yet today I wept…a torn ACL, his favorite 4 months of the year – basketball! It will take 6-9 months to repair. But his ACL will be stronger, and more important, we all will be stronger for this journey. We’ve always told our kids to be “strong and courageous” in the Lord. Now we are letting go, knowing that he will be stronger. By HIS grace may I cling and I let go, to the ONE Who is “making all things new.” Rev 21:5
Psalm 30:5 “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Your burdens matter to me. I pray for you, we pray for you! Christ was born, Christ has risen, Christ will come again! That’s what Merry Christmas means.
(Last Year, ACL Journal Entry 2) December 24, 2013: What Defines Us?
As some of you know, Josh tore his ACL a couple weeks ago, and his surgery is December 26th. Yesterday a wise and special friend spoke TRUTH to our Josh. She said, “Josh, basketball does not define you.” Her words keep resonating in my spirit. Isaiah 43:1 says, “But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, … “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” That is what defines us, that is WHO defines us. It reminds me of Ephesians chapter 1. In Christ we are loved, redeemed, accepted, adopted, forgiven, chosen, and blessed. By and through HIS grace we bear fruit. The fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience…Godly character…that is what defines us.
Colossians 1:27 “…Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Christ in us, defines us. What are the things that I let define me? When I am not in the WORD, there are many things (idols) that sneak in: approval, job, ability…
Josh has a wrist band that says “rise up.” Our family verse right now is, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-11.
JESUS DID RISE UP! Let us go in grace and HIS strength. Somehow, I know Josh’s journey is for all of us. This burden is “light” in comparison to many…but the Scripture application relates to all of us.
Many of you are carrying huge burdens and dark heavy hearts today, while many others are celebrating. It can feel so lonely. The pain so deep. If I go back 15 years, that is where I was. But I must always testify to HIS grace and mercy towards me in the valley. Psalm 40:1-3 says,
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.”
That’s why I care so much for each of you, my friends. You are never alone. He is always with us - Emmanuel!
Audrey Assad, Good to Me
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E-vSGoJtB0M
(Last Year, ACL Journal Entry 1) December 5, 2013: Today I Wept
Not a “wet blanket” over Christmas joy, just truth that “fire” painfully purifies. For if it were wet, the fire would die…
If this were a “wet blanket” it would smother the fire. But nothing can smother God! Yes, letting go hurts, but the eternal things we never really have to let go of! So when we let go, and let God, it hurts, but for all the right reasons. It hurts because we love. It hurts because we are being made stronger. It hurts because we release those we love. But when all is stripped away, HE REMAINS. And HE will walk through the fire with us.
Hebrews 12:28-29 “Therefore let us be grateful for receiving a kingdom that cannot be shaken, and thus let us offer to God acceptable worship, with reverence and awe, 29 for our God is a consuming fire.”
John 11:34-36 and said, "Where have you laid him?" They said to Him, "Lord, come and see." Jesus wept. So the Jews were saying, "See how He loved him!"…
Jesus wept because HE LOVED. HE LOVES! And Jesus knew the outcome! He still wept...
I’ve wept with my husband and friends over the good and the bad. Over friend’s children going ahead of them to heaven, over families torn apart, illnesses, ICUs, over joyful things, races run, 5ks, half marathons, ironman’s (none of these mine!) exams done, that first day of work after she turned 12 weeks old, hellos, goodbyes, the first day of kindergarten, friend’s children going to college, then our child going to college, children coming home, other’s children in our home…like our own, the face of poverty in Haiti, Honduras, Danville, the joy of adoption, missions, young hearts guarded, our kids getting to “taste and see that the Lord is good, blessed is the man who takes refuge in HIM.” (Psalm 34:8) water wells (physical and spiritual), I could go on…
All the joys and sorrows draw us closer the Jesus, the One Who wept because He loved Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. He is the One who intercedes for us after bearing our cross. We must let go. We must point to HIM in every moment. Nike says, “just do it.” God says, let Me do it. Grace and Mercy are gifts, HE is the giver.
Today I’ve wept. I’ve wept over my boy. Why this anguish? Because I love him. Why this peace, because HE LOVES him. Just when I thought, “wow, I let my baby girl leave for college, and I felt HIM holding me, holding her…” I felt HIS presence in the pain, seen the beauty in the rain. And yet today I wept…a torn ACL, his favorite 4 months of the year – basketball! It will take 6-9 months to repair. But his ACL will be stronger, and more important, we all will be stronger for this journey. We’ve always told our kids to be “strong and courageous” in the Lord. Now we are letting go, knowing that he will be stronger. By HIS grace may I cling and I let go, to the ONE Who is “making all things new.” Rev 21:5
Psalm 30:5 “weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning.” Your burdens matter to me. I pray for you, we pray for you! Christ was born, Christ has risen, Christ will come again! That’s what Merry Christmas means.
(Last Year, ACL Journal Entry 2) December 24, 2013: What Defines Us?
As some of you know, Josh tore his ACL a couple weeks ago, and his surgery is December 26th. Yesterday a wise and special friend spoke TRUTH to our Josh. She said, “Josh, basketball does not define you.” Her words keep resonating in my spirit. Isaiah 43:1 says, “But now thus says the LORD, he who created you, … “Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have called you by name, you are mine.” That is what defines us, that is WHO defines us. It reminds me of Ephesians chapter 1. In Christ we are loved, redeemed, accepted, adopted, forgiven, chosen, and blessed. By and through HIS grace we bear fruit. The fruit of the Spirit is: love, joy, peace, patience…Godly character…that is what defines us.
Colossians 1:27 “…Christ in you, the hope of glory.” Christ in us, defines us. What are the things that I let define me? When I am not in the WORD, there are many things (idols) that sneak in: approval, job, ability…
Josh has a wrist band that says “rise up.” Our family verse right now is, “But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. 10 For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.” 2 Corinthians 12:9-11.
JESUS DID RISE UP! Let us go in grace and HIS strength. Somehow, I know Josh’s journey is for all of us. This burden is “light” in comparison to many…but the Scripture application relates to all of us.
Many of you are carrying huge burdens and dark heavy hearts today, while many others are celebrating. It can feel so lonely. The pain so deep. If I go back 15 years, that is where I was. But I must always testify to HIS grace and mercy towards me in the valley. Psalm 40:1-3 says,
“I waited patiently for the Lord; he inclined to me and heard my cry. 2 He drew me up from the pit of destruction, out of the miry bog, and set my feet upon a rock, making my steps secure. 3 He put a new song in my mouth, a song of praise to our God. Many will see and fear, and put their trust in the Lord.”
That’s why I care so much for each of you, my friends. You are never alone. He is always with us - Emmanuel!
MercyMe, Greater
Praying for your sweet family, Julie. He has you all in His righteous hand. "Do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.- Isaiah 41:10
ReplyDeleteThank you for your prayers and Scripture Sharnett!
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