From Day 24 of Grief Bites, A New Approach
When you have deep pain or grief, you will be better able to relate to the writers in the book of Psalms and learn to cry out to God and experience His comfort like never before.
...talk to God about one Psalm each night and personalize it as you talk to Him about it.
I started this blog soon after the death of my beautiful 17-year-old son, Hayden, as a way to deal with my grief. I titled it "Dear Hayden" because at first I wrote as if I was writing to him. My use of the word "dear" ended up being twofold: "used as an affectionate or friendly form of address" and "regarded with deep affection; cherished by someone." Many posts are saved quotes, song lyrics, Bible verses, poems, etc. with credit given to the actual authors as much as possible. Enjoy~
Wednesday, November 30, 2016
Not Who You Think
This is from Day 31 of Grief Bites, A New Approach. This was worthy of recording the whole thing.
Who initially brought Job up? God did. I am not nearly as blameless as Job.
Sometimes grief comes not from death, but by the bitter sting of hurt or betrayal.
Have you ever been deeply hurt by a Christian? I'm not talking about a simple sleight. The hurt I am talking about is one of deeply embedded, faith-sucking, life-altering, cry-yourself-to-sleep effect.
Has the pain become a companion that you bear up under or has it come to the point that you would like to move to the next chapter? A friend once asked my the same question. My initial reaction was one of anger. I thought, "You have no idea what I have gone through!" Then he told me something that has had a profound effect upon my life...
"If you want to overcome your pain you will first need to identify who caused you the pain...it is not who you think."
He went on to explain, "The people you are thinking of are not the ones who caused your pain. In fact, the source of your pain did not even originate in this world. It originated in another sphere altogether."
"Your pain came from the spiritual realm, and the first step to getting through it is to know that God allowed it."
His unsolicited words cut deep within me. He was a friend so I listened and learned. I thank God that I did.
Job was a man who suffered tremendous loss and calamity. He lost so much yet refused to give in to the advice of his wife and family. For forty chapters they blame him for the multiple calamaties he faced. The best of their theology and misinformation boiled down to CURSE GOD AND DIE. Surely Job felt the bitter sting of hurt and betrayal from those closest to him.
Any pain that you have experienced has more purpose in it than you realize and capacity than you can imagine. Your pain was allowed to begin a magnificent transformation in your life. It has the capacity to bring you to the exact place that the Lord wants you.
There is nothing which exposes a Christian's weakness than how he reacts to pain. Anger, resentment, gossip, ugliness. Those are normal reactions. You can also choose to react in peace, faith and hope, even without understanding.
When you choose to trust God with your pain, you allow Him to remove more of you which is not Christ. Pain that is met with faith has resolution and great transforming ability. When God allows pain to enter the life of one of His children, He also limits it. He also allows it to end in triumph. When you begin to see your pain as an act of God, He can begin to have His will. Suddenly your pain begins to be a holy work of God.
Who initially brought Job up? God did. I am not nearly as blameless as Job.
Sometimes grief comes not from death, but by the bitter sting of hurt or betrayal.
Have you ever been deeply hurt by a Christian? I'm not talking about a simple sleight. The hurt I am talking about is one of deeply embedded, faith-sucking, life-altering, cry-yourself-to-sleep effect.
Has the pain become a companion that you bear up under or has it come to the point that you would like to move to the next chapter? A friend once asked my the same question. My initial reaction was one of anger. I thought, "You have no idea what I have gone through!" Then he told me something that has had a profound effect upon my life...
"If you want to overcome your pain you will first need to identify who caused you the pain...it is not who you think."
He went on to explain, "The people you are thinking of are not the ones who caused your pain. In fact, the source of your pain did not even originate in this world. It originated in another sphere altogether."
"Your pain came from the spiritual realm, and the first step to getting through it is to know that God allowed it."
His unsolicited words cut deep within me. He was a friend so I listened and learned. I thank God that I did.
Job was a man who suffered tremendous loss and calamity. He lost so much yet refused to give in to the advice of his wife and family. For forty chapters they blame him for the multiple calamaties he faced. The best of their theology and misinformation boiled down to CURSE GOD AND DIE. Surely Job felt the bitter sting of hurt and betrayal from those closest to him.
Any pain that you have experienced has more purpose in it than you realize and capacity than you can imagine. Your pain was allowed to begin a magnificent transformation in your life. It has the capacity to bring you to the exact place that the Lord wants you.
There is nothing which exposes a Christian's weakness than how he reacts to pain. Anger, resentment, gossip, ugliness. Those are normal reactions. You can also choose to react in peace, faith and hope, even without understanding.
When you choose to trust God with your pain, you allow Him to remove more of you which is not Christ. Pain that is met with faith has resolution and great transforming ability. When God allows pain to enter the life of one of His children, He also limits it. He also allows it to end in triumph. When you begin to see your pain as an act of God, He can begin to have His will. Suddenly your pain begins to be a holy work of God.
Tuesday, November 29, 2016
Thanksgiving catch-up
I usually post something every day from the Grief Bites, A New Approach series. I got a little behind with the Thanksgiving break. Here are the missed days.
Day 24 of Grief Bites
Verses:
Psalm 55:17: Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud. And He shall hear my voice.
Psalm 42: 9-11
I will say to God my Rock,
"Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?"
As with a breaking of my bones,
My enemies reproach me,
While they say to me, all day long,
"Where is your God?"
Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.
Day 25 of Grief Bites
Lord, teach me to seek you.
Verse:
Hebrews 11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Day 26 of Grief Bites
One of the best ways to throw grief a "right hook" is to invest in blessing others throughout your grief, especially fellow grievers.
(I have experienced this firsthand)
On your worst days,...use it as a signal to reach out to others and encourage them.
Verse:
Philippians 2:4: Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Day 27 of Grief Bites
Life will not always be the way it is today...healing takes time.
Day 28 of Grief Bites
No one can understand your grief as greatly or as intimately as Christ. He truly feels your pain!
Day 29 of Grief Bites
Loss and grief do not have to permanently define your life or become your primary identity.
Day 30 of Grief Bites
Verse:
Psalm 91:11:
For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
Day 24 of Grief Bites
Verses:
Psalm 55:17: Evening and morning and at noon I will pray, and cry aloud. And He shall hear my voice.
Psalm 42: 9-11
I will say to God my Rock,
"Why have You forgotten me?
Why do I go mourning because of the oppression of the enemy?"
As with a breaking of my bones,
My enemies reproach me,
While they say to me, all day long,
"Where is your God?"
Why are you cast down, O my soul?
And why are you disquieted within me?
Hope in God;
For I shall yet praise Him,
The help of my countenance and my God.
Day 25 of Grief Bites
Lord, teach me to seek you.
Verse:
Hebrews 11:6: But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him.
Day 26 of Grief Bites
One of the best ways to throw grief a "right hook" is to invest in blessing others throughout your grief, especially fellow grievers.
(I have experienced this firsthand)
On your worst days,...use it as a signal to reach out to others and encourage them.
Verse:
Philippians 2:4: Let each of you look out not only for his own interests, but also for the interests of others.
Day 27 of Grief Bites
Life will not always be the way it is today...healing takes time.
Day 28 of Grief Bites
No one can understand your grief as greatly or as intimately as Christ. He truly feels your pain!
Day 29 of Grief Bites
Loss and grief do not have to permanently define your life or become your primary identity.
Day 30 of Grief Bites
Verse:
Psalm 91:11:
For He shall give His angels charge over you,
To keep you in all your ways.
Just look over your shoulder
I was just going to write about this, and the song came on-thank you! It's a song from Tarzan (just remember Robbi Amori dressed up as Tarzan for the Halloween concert-he looked amazing!). It's sung by Phil Collins and it comes on my Pandora since I have a lot of film scores that play.
Anyway, the song is called, You'll Be In My Heart. I've heard it many times and it always makes me think of you now. (I should probably record the lyrics). It was on the other day at home and I was sitting in the living room with the kids and I was in the rocking chair by the window. The words were running through my head and the part came up, "Just look over your shoulder." I got the feeling to actually look over my shoulder and I knew what was there. I did look over my shoulder and saw your picture. Thank you for that-it was amazing! I will record the lyrics. I will be back after I look them up. Love you so much!
Anyway, the song is called, You'll Be In My Heart. I've heard it many times and it always makes me think of you now. (I should probably record the lyrics). It was on the other day at home and I was sitting in the living room with the kids and I was in the rocking chair by the window. The words were running through my head and the part came up, "Just look over your shoulder." I got the feeling to actually look over my shoulder and I knew what was there. I did look over my shoulder and saw your picture. Thank you for that-it was amazing! I will record the lyrics. I will be back after I look them up. Love you so much!
You'll Be In My Heart
by Phil Collins
Come stop your crying
It will be alright
Just take my hand
Hold it tight
I will protect you
From all around you
I will be here
Don't you cry
For one so small,
You seem so strong
My arms will hold you,
Keep you safe and warm
This bond between us
Can't be broken
I will be here
Don't you cry
'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
You'll be in my heart
No matter what they say
You'll be in my heart, always
Why can't they understand the way we feel?
They just don't trust what they can't explain
I know we're different but deep inside us
We're not that different at all
And you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
From this day on
Now and forever more
Don't listen to them
'Cause what do they know (what do they know?)
We need each other
To have, to hold.
They'll see in time
I know
When destiny calls you
You must be strong (you gotta be strong)
I may not be with you
But you've got to hold on
They'll see in time
I know
We'll show them together
'Cause you'll be in my heart
Yes, you'll be in my heart
I'll be there from this day on,
Now and forever more
Oh, you'll be in my heart (you'll be here in my heart)
No matter what they say (I'll be with you)
You'll be in my heart (I'll be there), always
Always
I'll be with you
I'll be there for you always
Always and always
Just look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder
Just look over your shoulder
I'll be there always.
Good Grief
Last week, after I saw a rainbow on the way to taking Carter to school, I heard a song on the radio that made me cry. I didn't know what the song was, but I had heard it before and the chorus said, "I miss you, I miss you, I miss you more."
I wanted to remember to look up the song based on the lyrics and I forgot to for a while. I was on Facebook the other day and noticed a comment that Mr. Law had made on something-he said "Good grief." I wondered (as I have before) why that is a saying because what is good about grief?
Anyway, at that moment I decided to look up the song I heard based on the lyrics, "I miss you,..." I entered those lyrics on Google and imagine my surprise when the song title ended up to be Good Grief! I shared that story on Facebook and the lyrics video of the song. Here are the lyrics:
(I also heard this song on the way home from visiting the Ardners at Thanksgiving and then the other night when I went to Walmart)
I wanted to remember to look up the song based on the lyrics and I forgot to for a while. I was on Facebook the other day and noticed a comment that Mr. Law had made on something-he said "Good grief." I wondered (as I have before) why that is a saying because what is good about grief?
Anyway, at that moment I decided to look up the song I heard based on the lyrics, "I miss you,..." I entered those lyrics on Google and imagine my surprise when the song title ended up to be Good Grief! I shared that story on Facebook and the lyrics video of the song. Here are the lyrics:
(I also heard this song on the way home from visiting the Ardners at Thanksgiving and then the other night when I went to Walmart)
Good Grief
by Bastille
Watching through my fingers, watching through my fingers
Shut my eyes and count to ten
It goes in one ear out the other, one ear out the other
Burning bright right till the end
Now you'll be missing from the photographs, missing from the photographs
Watching through my fingers, watching through my fingers
In my thoughts you're far away
And you are whistling a melody, whistling a melody
Crystallizing clear as day
Oh I can picture you so easily, picture you so easily
What's gonna be left of the world if you're not in it?
What's gonna be left of the world, oh
Every minute and every hour
I miss you, I miss you, I miss you more
Every stumble and each misfire
I miss you, I miss you, I miss you more
Watching through my fingers, watching through my fingers
Caught off guard by your favorite song
Oh I'll be dancing at a funeral, dancing at a funeral
Sleeping in the clothes you love
It's such a shame we had to see them burn, shame we had to see them burn
What's gonna be left of the world if you're not in it?
What's gonna be left of the world, oh
Every minute and every hour
I miss you, I miss you, I miss you more
Every stumble and each misfire
I miss you, I miss you, I miss you more
You might have to excuse me
I've lost control of all my senses
And you might have to excuse me
I've lost control of all my words
So get drunk, call me a fool
Put me in my place, put me in my place
Pick me up, up off the floor
Put me in my place, put me in my place
Every minute and every hour
I miss you, I miss you, I miss you more
Every stumble and each misfire
I miss you, I miss you, I miss you more
Watching through my fingers, watching through my fingers
Cause every minute and every hour
I miss you, I miss you, I miss you more
Wednesday, November 23, 2016
Enter With Thanksgiving
This was on my Verse of the Day from Bible Gateway, the day before Thanksgiving.
Psalm 100:4-5
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
Psalm 100:4-5
Enter into His gates with thanksgiving,
And into His courts with praise.
Be thankful to Him, and bless His name.
For the Lord is good;
His mercy is everlasting,
And His truth endures to all generations.
Tuesday, November 22, 2016
The Latter End
From Day 23 of Grief Bites, A New Approach
Verse:
Job 42:12: So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning...
Verse:
Job 42:12: So the Lord blessed the latter end of Job more than his beginning...
The Substance
Someone referred to this verse in a guest book entry on the funeral home website for Ben Pierce. It is Hebrews 11:1:
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.
Monday, November 21, 2016
Leave it to God
Day 22 of Grief Bites, A New Approach
He knows exactly what His purposes are for each situation He has allowed.
Your job is to live peaceably around others and to be honorable in all you do. Leave the job of holding your offender accountable to God.
He knows exactly what His purposes are for each situation He has allowed.
Your job is to live peaceably around others and to be honorable in all you do. Leave the job of holding your offender accountable to God.
He Will Repay
Day 21 of Grief Bites, A New Approach
During these difficult times, something that is helpful to remember is that this earth is not our true Home. God DOES have a plan as well as a purpose for EVERY heartache...even when it doesn't seem like it.
Choose to believe that God is in control. Choose to trust in His sovereignty. He has not forgotton about you, He will not abandon you. He will make every wrong you have experienced completely right one day. God knows all the facts of your situation and has the ability to make something of great value come from all the pain.
Verse:
Romans 12:19: Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
During these difficult times, something that is helpful to remember is that this earth is not our true Home. God DOES have a plan as well as a purpose for EVERY heartache...even when it doesn't seem like it.
Choose to believe that God is in control. Choose to trust in His sovereignty. He has not forgotton about you, He will not abandon you. He will make every wrong you have experienced completely right one day. God knows all the facts of your situation and has the ability to make something of great value come from all the pain.
Verse:
Romans 12:19: Beloved, do not avenge yourselves, but rather give place to wrath; for it is written, "Vengeance is Mine, I will repay," says the Lord.
Love Your Enemies
Day 20 of Grief Bites, A New Approach
Forgiveness is NOT condoning another person's wrong behavior or excusing the wrong they did, and it does not mean we foolishly throw ourselves into a bad situation. Forgiveness is simply a loving courtesy we extend to others because God extends that same love and courtesy to us. It is taking someone off our hook and placing them at the altar of God...and trusting God to deal with the person in His way and His time.
(Reference to Job 42): God chose to bless Job only AFTER Job chose to forgive his friends and interceded for them in prayer. That is the exact moment God restored Job and gave him a double portion of favor.
Verse:
Matthew 4:43-44:
You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,...
Personal note: I have some new enemies since your accident. I have to forgive them for the wrong things they said and did to me during that time. Love you so much!
Forgiveness is NOT condoning another person's wrong behavior or excusing the wrong they did, and it does not mean we foolishly throw ourselves into a bad situation. Forgiveness is simply a loving courtesy we extend to others because God extends that same love and courtesy to us. It is taking someone off our hook and placing them at the altar of God...and trusting God to deal with the person in His way and His time.
(Reference to Job 42): God chose to bless Job only AFTER Job chose to forgive his friends and interceded for them in prayer. That is the exact moment God restored Job and gave him a double portion of favor.
Verse:
Matthew 4:43-44:
You have heard that it was said, "You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy." But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you,...
Personal note: I have some new enemies since your accident. I have to forgive them for the wrong things they said and did to me during that time. Love you so much!
Friday, November 18, 2016
Grateful and Grieving
Tammi Carr shared this link from Angela Miller who has the website, A Bed For My Heart. There are a lot of good parts to it in relation to Thanksgiving.
As bereaved parents we are forced to learn the art of holding infinite space for both/and (gratefulness and gratitude)--because this new life we didn't ask for is now a heartbreaking juxtaposition of contradictions. Our hearts hold both the blessings and the trials, the joy and the pain,...
We are grateful and we are grieving.
The former can't cure the latter, and the latter doesn't negate the former. Nor were they meant to. Yes, grieving parents are incredibly thankful for every single blessing in their life, and that also doesn't negate the truth of the sorrow in their heart.
The depth of my gratitude runs deeper than you know, for I know more than most how quickly my greatest blessings can be taken in an instant; I know the immeasurable pain of being robbed of my greatest joy.
Ask me about the empty chair beside me and I'll gratefully tell you all about the beautiful boy who should be sitting next to me, the one who taught me how to stretch my love far and wide enough to span the gap between heaven and earth. Ask me about the one who taught me how to gracefully keep my balance while juggling impossible juxtapositions of life and death, joy and sorrow, mothering the living and the dead. Ask me about the one who showed me how to love beyond all time and space, how to survive the unimaginable, how to live for the both of us.
Ask me about my greatest blessing and my deepest sorrow - ask me about my child.
Remember him with me. Invite him to the table this year too. I need to know that you remember he lived. Share his stories, his memory, his life, his love. And if you're open to blessing my aching heart even more, I invite you to say his name out loud with me. (Hayden) Often. (Hayden) And without hesitation. (Hayden)To hear his name is to hear the most beautiful sound there is. (Hayden) May it always be on the tip of your tongue like it is on mine. (Hayden) There is no greater gift. (Hayden)
As bereaved parents we are forced to learn the art of holding infinite space for both/and (gratefulness and gratitude)--because this new life we didn't ask for is now a heartbreaking juxtaposition of contradictions. Our hearts hold both the blessings and the trials, the joy and the pain,...
We are grateful and we are grieving.
The former can't cure the latter, and the latter doesn't negate the former. Nor were they meant to. Yes, grieving parents are incredibly thankful for every single blessing in their life, and that also doesn't negate the truth of the sorrow in their heart.
The depth of my gratitude runs deeper than you know, for I know more than most how quickly my greatest blessings can be taken in an instant; I know the immeasurable pain of being robbed of my greatest joy.
Ask me about the empty chair beside me and I'll gratefully tell you all about the beautiful boy who should be sitting next to me, the one who taught me how to stretch my love far and wide enough to span the gap between heaven and earth. Ask me about the one who taught me how to gracefully keep my balance while juggling impossible juxtapositions of life and death, joy and sorrow, mothering the living and the dead. Ask me about the one who showed me how to love beyond all time and space, how to survive the unimaginable, how to live for the both of us.
Ask me about my greatest blessing and my deepest sorrow - ask me about my child.
Remember him with me. Invite him to the table this year too. I need to know that you remember he lived. Share his stories, his memory, his life, his love. And if you're open to blessing my aching heart even more, I invite you to say his name out loud with me. (Hayden) Often. (Hayden) And without hesitation. (Hayden)To hear his name is to hear the most beautiful sound there is. (Hayden) May it always be on the tip of your tongue like it is on mine. (Hayden) There is no greater gift. (Hayden)
Hayden Hug
I had a dream of you last night (you should know-you were there. I believe it's really you). Anyway, it was like we were having another funeral for you (in another church, etc.) We knew it was another funeral because your body was "old" and I was worried how it would look, etc. The church was old-fashioned with ugly green carpeting and gaudy decorations.
Anyway, I went to see you and you looked the same as before. We were all done looking at you though and we were off to the side and it was dark where you were and then I saw something move around you. I went to look at your face and it was like you woke up. Your eyes opened wide and you had a huge smile on your face. You weren't wearing your suit though, you had a white t-shirt on and probably shorts--like clothes you would normally be wearing. I ran to get Carter to see you for some reason (I think everyone else knew what was going on) and when I came back, you sat up and you gave me the biggest hug. It was wonderful. Thank you for that.
When I looked up after hugging you, I saw Jake sitting on the edge of a pew in a suit and he had the biggest smile on his face. Everyone was so happy!
(Side note: there was a silky sheet covering you up to your face at one point and then covering all of you before you woke up.) LoveyouLoveyouLoveyou!
Anyway, I went to see you and you looked the same as before. We were all done looking at you though and we were off to the side and it was dark where you were and then I saw something move around you. I went to look at your face and it was like you woke up. Your eyes opened wide and you had a huge smile on your face. You weren't wearing your suit though, you had a white t-shirt on and probably shorts--like clothes you would normally be wearing. I ran to get Carter to see you for some reason (I think everyone else knew what was going on) and when I came back, you sat up and you gave me the biggest hug. It was wonderful. Thank you for that.
When I looked up after hugging you, I saw Jake sitting on the edge of a pew in a suit and he had the biggest smile on his face. Everyone was so happy!
(Side note: there was a silky sheet covering you up to your face at one point and then covering all of you before you woke up.) LoveyouLoveyouLoveyou!
Thursday, November 17, 2016
The Difference
Saw this today and wanted to remember it:
GRACE
is when you get the good things you don't deserve
MERCY
is when you're spared the bad things you do deserve
GOD
is gracious with both
This Love
This video appeared on Facebook a while back from Luminous Light Studios which is tied to the On Coming Alive project. It's set to a video and a woman is speaking these words. It brought me to tears the first time I saw it and I shared it with Lydia Kimball.
I tried to track down a transcript of it, but was unsuccessful. I ended up listening to it, and writing it down myself. I don't know how it should be spaced out but I will do my best. I love you, Hayden!
The Bereaved Mother's Love Project
There is a love
So pure
So tender
So strong
A love that spans over a lifetime
And pours in and out of other realms
It is higher than the stars that fill the moonlit sky
Wider than the earth itself
It is deeper than the most forbidden places of the ocean
A love that radiates brighter than the sun
And pulls just as mercilessly as a black hole
A love that is insurmountable in all regard
It is a love that transcends time
And is completely unrestrained
It is free
There is a love
So sacred
So cherished and true
A love that is incomprehensible to the world around
A love that can exist where others think it wouldn't
A love so perfectly intertwined
Deep within your heart, your soul
A love that makes the rest of the world look cold and gray
Because its beauty and depth are unmatched
Yet at the same time
It sheds beauty upon the earth
That was never before seen
Nothing compares to this love
The rivers of this love never run dry
And the gusts of its wind never cease
The depth and intensity of such love
Is the kind you only hear about
In fairy tales and happily-ever-afters
Yet it exists in something far from that
This love dwells in uncertainty
And shaky ground
It lingers in silent tears and aching arms
It is the light in the most isolated place
It lives to tell the tale of what was
And is no longer
This love rests in the irrecoverable pieces
Of our souls
And the gaping wounds
Of our shattered hearts
It sways elegantly with joy
In the darkest places
Of desolation and despair
For even in darkness
It continues to grow and rejoice
It is beauty and chaos released in the same breath
This love
This unchanging
Unwavering
Unbreakable love
Is that of a broken heart
This love belongs to the bereaved mother
For even in death she loves endlessly
For even in darkness her love is scintillating
Not even death could extinguish this love
For it is a love like no other
Unmatched and unparalleled
It is truly one of a kind
The world stands idly by
Waiting for the bond to break
For the bereaved mother to let it go
To give up
Little do they know they will wait for an eternity
The love of a bereaved mother
Is a force to be reckoned with
A force so powerful that nothing can stand in its way
Time nor death can change it
Sorrow nor pain can break it
This love
It is our love
It survives where they are not
Love that occupies the space in our hearts
And in our lives
Where they once were
This love saves a sacred space for them
It exists only because they lived
It remains even though they left
It is neither theory nor fiction
It is an incredible powerful truth
The love of a bereaved mother
Is an implausible, fierce, interminable love
That defies all odds
This love
It is what has taken root
In every single cell of our bodies
And pulses through our veins
With purpose and meaning
This love has wiped our souls clean
It has changed our very being
But death does not define us
It is this life and this love that defines us
It is this love that's changed the course of our lives
And has separated us from the rest of the world
This love
It is our love
And for the life of us
We will never let it go
It is the one thing that binds our broken souls
This love
It is what keeps us going
It is the echo that ripples
In all that we do
And all that we are
No matter the distance
No matter the time
This love is prevailing
And it is mine
So tender
So strong
A love that spans over a lifetime
And pours in and out of other realms
It is higher than the stars that fill the moonlit sky
Wider than the earth itself
It is deeper than the most forbidden places of the ocean
A love that radiates brighter than the sun
And pulls just as mercilessly as a black hole
A love that is insurmountable in all regard
It is a love that transcends time
And is completely unrestrained
It is free
There is a love
So sacred
So cherished and true
A love that is incomprehensible to the world around
A love that can exist where others think it wouldn't
A love so perfectly intertwined
Deep within your heart, your soul
A love that makes the rest of the world look cold and gray
Because its beauty and depth are unmatched
Yet at the same time
It sheds beauty upon the earth
That was never before seen
Nothing compares to this love
The rivers of this love never run dry
And the gusts of its wind never cease
The depth and intensity of such love
Is the kind you only hear about
In fairy tales and happily-ever-afters
Yet it exists in something far from that
This love dwells in uncertainty
And shaky ground
It lingers in silent tears and aching arms
It is the light in the most isolated place
It lives to tell the tale of what was
And is no longer
This love rests in the irrecoverable pieces
Of our souls
And the gaping wounds
Of our shattered hearts
It sways elegantly with joy
In the darkest places
Of desolation and despair
For even in darkness
It continues to grow and rejoice
It is beauty and chaos released in the same breath
This love
This unchanging
Unwavering
Unbreakable love
Is that of a broken heart
This love belongs to the bereaved mother
For even in death she loves endlessly
For even in darkness her love is scintillating
Not even death could extinguish this love
For it is a love like no other
Unmatched and unparalleled
It is truly one of a kind
The world stands idly by
Waiting for the bond to break
For the bereaved mother to let it go
To give up
Little do they know they will wait for an eternity
The love of a bereaved mother
Is a force to be reckoned with
A force so powerful that nothing can stand in its way
Time nor death can change it
Sorrow nor pain can break it
This love
It is our love
It survives where they are not
Love that occupies the space in our hearts
And in our lives
Where they once were
This love saves a sacred space for them
It exists only because they lived
It remains even though they left
It is neither theory nor fiction
It is an incredible powerful truth
The love of a bereaved mother
Is an implausible, fierce, interminable love
That defies all odds
This love
It is what has taken root
In every single cell of our bodies
And pulses through our veins
With purpose and meaning
This love has wiped our souls clean
It has changed our very being
But death does not define us
It is this life and this love that defines us
It is this love that's changed the course of our lives
And has separated us from the rest of the world
This love
It is our love
And for the life of us
We will never let it go
It is the one thing that binds our broken souls
This love
It is what keeps us going
It is the echo that ripples
In all that we do
And all that we are
No matter the distance
No matter the time
This love is prevailing
And it is mine
Wednesday, November 16, 2016
Before we call
Day 17 of Grief Bites, A New Approach
Verse:
Isaiah 65:24:
It shall come to pass
That before they call, I will answer;
And while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Verse:
Isaiah 65:24:
It shall come to pass
That before they call, I will answer;
And while they are still speaking, I will hear.
Tuesday, November 15, 2016
Obeying God no matter what
This topic isn't about you directly but it could apply to pretty much any situation we find ourselves in that we don't understand.
Last night at the Bible study with Nance, Mrs. Calder and Mrs. Johnson, the topic at hand took a very different turn and focused on the marriage problems that Mrs. J and I have experienced over the years with our respective Bills. It was somehow tied to the topic at hand which was writing a lament, and my lament was about my marriage and marriage in general, but Mrs. J. posed a question about divorce and the Christian and at what point are we deceiving ourselves by staying in a bad marriage. It sounds like Mr. J. is emotionally abusive like Dad and has made her life extremely unhappy as well.
We went back and forth in the conversation with Nance believing that God wants us to be happy, Mrs. Calder saying what about trying a separation, etc. I was thinking about it today and as I told them last night, I believe that if you choose to obey God that you will be rewarded. The marriage vows include, "for better or for worse." It's extremely cruel and unfair for our husbands to make it so "worse" but that was part of the deal of the commitment. Not when things start to go bad does that give us an "out" on that. You're supposed to stick it out. What these men are doing is WRONG. They are not supposed to be treating us that way. But that is their choice-a bad choice, but God gives us free will. We obviously didn't know what we were getting into at that young age when we got married, but the covenant still stands. Those words were said before God and before witnesses. What God has joined, let NO MAN put asunder. That includes the two people in the covenant.
This situation makes me think of people who are killed for their faith. Oops, there's danger, discomfort and unhappiness involved if I do what God has told me to do. Does this give us an "out" not to remain faithful? I think you need to be smart in an area where witnessing and going to church is illegal, but God needs to be obeyed first before man.
There's some measure of safety inside a marriage. Being exposed to the single world can open up a ton of problems. A persistent guy who is interested in you can't touch you when you're married. You expose your kids to whomever and whatever situation someone you're dating is involved in. Think of your young teenage daughter-how she just flops around in tiny shorts and towels, etc. That's fine around her own dad, but what about a strange man? All kinds of things can happen in that situation that your daughter should be protected from. Same with your son for that matter and any kids that a man could have.
I will probably write more about this at a later date. God's way is ALWAYS the best way. We have to trust in that. He knows what is best for us. Things could change in our situation down the line, but that is up to Him, not to us.
Last night at the Bible study with Nance, Mrs. Calder and Mrs. Johnson, the topic at hand took a very different turn and focused on the marriage problems that Mrs. J and I have experienced over the years with our respective Bills. It was somehow tied to the topic at hand which was writing a lament, and my lament was about my marriage and marriage in general, but Mrs. J. posed a question about divorce and the Christian and at what point are we deceiving ourselves by staying in a bad marriage. It sounds like Mr. J. is emotionally abusive like Dad and has made her life extremely unhappy as well.
We went back and forth in the conversation with Nance believing that God wants us to be happy, Mrs. Calder saying what about trying a separation, etc. I was thinking about it today and as I told them last night, I believe that if you choose to obey God that you will be rewarded. The marriage vows include, "for better or for worse." It's extremely cruel and unfair for our husbands to make it so "worse" but that was part of the deal of the commitment. Not when things start to go bad does that give us an "out" on that. You're supposed to stick it out. What these men are doing is WRONG. They are not supposed to be treating us that way. But that is their choice-a bad choice, but God gives us free will. We obviously didn't know what we were getting into at that young age when we got married, but the covenant still stands. Those words were said before God and before witnesses. What God has joined, let NO MAN put asunder. That includes the two people in the covenant.
This situation makes me think of people who are killed for their faith. Oops, there's danger, discomfort and unhappiness involved if I do what God has told me to do. Does this give us an "out" not to remain faithful? I think you need to be smart in an area where witnessing and going to church is illegal, but God needs to be obeyed first before man.
There's some measure of safety inside a marriage. Being exposed to the single world can open up a ton of problems. A persistent guy who is interested in you can't touch you when you're married. You expose your kids to whomever and whatever situation someone you're dating is involved in. Think of your young teenage daughter-how she just flops around in tiny shorts and towels, etc. That's fine around her own dad, but what about a strange man? All kinds of things can happen in that situation that your daughter should be protected from. Same with your son for that matter and any kids that a man could have.
I will probably write more about this at a later date. God's way is ALWAYS the best way. We have to trust in that. He knows what is best for us. Things could change in our situation down the line, but that is up to Him, not to us.
It won't always be like this
Day 16 of Grief Bites, A New Approach
If you are going through a heartbreaking trial, one thing is certain: it won't always be like this.
Enjoy the good times, persevere in the bad times.
Learn as much as you possibly can when going through grief or life challenges.
Through each and every season in life, there will be blessings and hardships...Savor both, for both have great value and treasures.
Every season in life, good or bad, is a great opportunity to learn to respect, honor, obey, fear, and ultimately love God more and more. He's so great to give us each the amazing gift of life...all the good and bad.
May every blessing we enjoy in life truly inspire us to live whole heartedly for God and to adore and worship Him more.
Verse:
Everything Has Its Time
Ecclesiastes 3:1-14:
To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace.
The God-Given Task
What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor--it is the gift of God.
I know that whatever God does,
It shall be forever.
Nothing can be added to it,
And nothing taken from it.
God does it, that men should fear before Him.
If you are going through a heartbreaking trial, one thing is certain: it won't always be like this.
Enjoy the good times, persevere in the bad times.
Learn as much as you possibly can when going through grief or life challenges.
Through each and every season in life, there will be blessings and hardships...Savor both, for both have great value and treasures.
Every season in life, good or bad, is a great opportunity to learn to respect, honor, obey, fear, and ultimately love God more and more. He's so great to give us each the amazing gift of life...all the good and bad.
May every blessing we enjoy in life truly inspire us to live whole heartedly for God and to adore and worship Him more.
Verse:
Everything Has Its Time
Ecclesiastes 3:1-14:
To everything there is a season,
A time for every purpose under heaven:
A time to be born,
And a time to die;
A time to plant,
And a time to pluck what is planted;
A time to kill,
And a time to heal;
A time to break down,
And a time to build up;
A time to weep,
And a time to laugh;
A time to mourn,
And a time to dance;
A time to cast away stones,
And a time to gather stones;
A time to embrace,
And a time to refrain from embracing;
A time to gain,
And a time to lose;
A time to keep,
And a time to throw away;
A time to tear,
And a time to sew;
A time to keep silence,
And a time to speak;
A time to love,
And a time to hate;
A time of war,
And a time of peace.
The God-Given Task
What profit has the worker from that in which he labors? I have seen the God-given task with which the sons of men are to be occupied. He has made everything beautiful in its time. Also He has put eternity in their hearts, except that no one can find out the work that God does from beginning to end.
I know that nothing is better for them than to rejoice, and to do good in their lives, and also that every man should eat and drink and enjoy the good of all his labor--it is the gift of God.
I know that whatever God does,
It shall be forever.
Nothing can be added to it,
And nothing taken from it.
God does it, that men should fear before Him.
My Delights
This was the Verse of the Day from Bible Gateway:
Psalm 119:143:
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me,
Yet Your commandments are my delights.
Psalm 119:143:
Trouble and anguish have overtaken me,
Yet Your commandments are my delights.
Monday, November 14, 2016
Good CAN come out of it
Day 14 of Grief Bites, A New Approach
Although grief is an extremely painful event no one in their right mind would ever choose to go through...good CAN come out of it.
The gifts of virtue, wisdom, compassion, insight, patience, character, and empathy, as well as an intimate relationship with God are incredible treasures that cannot be bought.
These are learned and earned with each and every tear, each heartache, each sleepless night.
The Holy Spirit pours these remarkable traits into our lives as we walk with Him through our grief.
Grief is one of the most powerful teachers you can learn from. Learn all you can to gain the treasures grief offers!
Verse:
Romans 5:3-5:
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
Although grief is an extremely painful event no one in their right mind would ever choose to go through...good CAN come out of it.
The gifts of virtue, wisdom, compassion, insight, patience, character, and empathy, as well as an intimate relationship with God are incredible treasures that cannot be bought.
These are learned and earned with each and every tear, each heartache, each sleepless night.
The Holy Spirit pours these remarkable traits into our lives as we walk with Him through our grief.
Grief is one of the most powerful teachers you can learn from. Learn all you can to gain the treasures grief offers!
Verse:
Romans 5:3-5:
And not only that, but we also glory in tribulations, knowing that tribulation produces perseverance; and perseverance, character; and character, hope. Now hope does not disappoint, because the love of God has been poured out in our hearts by the Holy Spirit who was given to us.
The Hope Diamond
Day 13 of Grief Bites, A New Approach
...diamonds become beautiful only through great heat, pressure, and transformation...When the weight of the overlying rock begins to bear down, that is when a diamond grows.
The Hope Diamond is a rare, exquisite, highly prized, beautiful diamond. Most diamonds never develop into the beauty, strength, and uniqueness of the Hope Diamond because they couldn't survive the incredibly high heat and pressure it took to form and carry them up to the surface.
In the same way, God may be allowing you to go through intense pressure, heat, challenges, and discomfort because He deeply desires to be the One to carry you up to the surface from the pit of grief, so you can offer hope to a hurting world and shine brilliantly for Him and His glory!
With grief, we are given an important choice...do we trust God and allow Him to carry us upward to the surface in our times of grief, and become beautiful diamonds of great strength and brilliance...OR...do we turn away from the Source who has the ability to lift us up, staying stagnant or complacent in our grief, turning our hearts into weakened graphite?
Grief definitely knocks a person down, and grief recovery definitely takes time...but we all have the hope of God lifting us up from the miry pits of grief.
Just as millions of people have gone to see and marvel at the Hope Diamond, the world truly marvels at seeing someone who endures incredible hardships yet still radiates brilliant joy.
Those who have experienced deep grief have a very special calling and divine purpose in life...a calling to help others who are going through a similar trial.
One day...you are going to be an absolute jewel...a Diamond of Hope...to someone who will be going through a similar heartache!
Allow your heart and life to be flexible, moldable, and usable by God.
God created you to shine!
Verses:
Faith Persevering in Trial
Psalm 40:1-3:
I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock.
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth-
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.
Matthew 5:16:
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Philippians 2:15:
that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
...diamonds become beautiful only through great heat, pressure, and transformation...When the weight of the overlying rock begins to bear down, that is when a diamond grows.
The Hope Diamond is a rare, exquisite, highly prized, beautiful diamond. Most diamonds never develop into the beauty, strength, and uniqueness of the Hope Diamond because they couldn't survive the incredibly high heat and pressure it took to form and carry them up to the surface.
In the same way, God may be allowing you to go through intense pressure, heat, challenges, and discomfort because He deeply desires to be the One to carry you up to the surface from the pit of grief, so you can offer hope to a hurting world and shine brilliantly for Him and His glory!
With grief, we are given an important choice...do we trust God and allow Him to carry us upward to the surface in our times of grief, and become beautiful diamonds of great strength and brilliance...OR...do we turn away from the Source who has the ability to lift us up, staying stagnant or complacent in our grief, turning our hearts into weakened graphite?
Grief definitely knocks a person down, and grief recovery definitely takes time...but we all have the hope of God lifting us up from the miry pits of grief.
Just as millions of people have gone to see and marvel at the Hope Diamond, the world truly marvels at seeing someone who endures incredible hardships yet still radiates brilliant joy.
Those who have experienced deep grief have a very special calling and divine purpose in life...a calling to help others who are going through a similar trial.
One day...you are going to be an absolute jewel...a Diamond of Hope...to someone who will be going through a similar heartache!
Allow your heart and life to be flexible, moldable, and usable by God.
God created you to shine!
Verses:
Faith Persevering in Trial
Psalm 40:1-3:
I waited patiently for the Lord;
And He inclined to me,
And heard my cry.
He also brought me up out of a horrible pit,
Out of the miry clay,
And set my feet upon a rock.
And established my steps.
He has put a new song in my mouth-
Many will see it and fear,
And will trust in the Lord.
Matthew 5:16:
Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father in heaven.
Philippians 2:15:
that you may become blameless and harmless, children of God without fault in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you shine as lights in the world.
Cast Down but Unconquered
I love some of the Bible Gateway's headings for verses! This is one of them for 2 Corinthians 4:7:
Cast Down but Unconquered
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7
Key words: TREASURE in EARTHEN VESSELS!
("Angels Calling" is now on Pandora. Thank you! Love you!)
Cast Down but Unconquered
"But we have this treasure in earthen vessels, that the excellence of the power may be of God and not of us." 2 Corinthians 4:7
Key words: TREASURE in EARTHEN VESSELS!
("Angels Calling" is now on Pandora. Thank you! Love you!)
Because I love Steve Harvey
Ruby Watts' daughter, Angel, posted this the other day on Facebook. Some of it I don't quite get, but I will have to think about it, like I don't know what is coming from God, i.e. As you know, I used to watch a lot of Family Feud, that's why I love Steve Harvey.
"When you ask for something from God, He boxes it up and starts sending it to you right away. The problem with the package is God never tells us the date of arrival. Because if He gave you the date of arrival you would no longer have to have faith. You will never know when He's coming, you just have to know He is coming. That's all you have to know." -Steve Harvey
Personal comment: Like, I don't know if this is referring to the Second Coming or what, and God doesn't always give us everything we ask for. Oh, well. Love you boy!
"When you ask for something from God, He boxes it up and starts sending it to you right away. The problem with the package is God never tells us the date of arrival. Because if He gave you the date of arrival you would no longer have to have faith. You will never know when He's coming, you just have to know He is coming. That's all you have to know." -Steve Harvey
Personal comment: Like, I don't know if this is referring to the Second Coming or what, and God doesn't always give us everything we ask for. Oh, well. Love you boy!
Friday, November 11, 2016
Incredible Compassion
Day 12 of Grief Bites, A New Approach
Grief recovery isn't just for death...It's beneficial for any situation that has broken someone's heart.
God is with you right this very moment and He will never leave you. He will not forsake you in your grief. NO, He will help you through each and every heartache you go through. He is faithful!
God feels incredible compassion towards any heart that deeply hurts or repents. NOTHING you have done, and nothing that has been done to you, could ever make God love you less. He is here with you right now for the long haul. He does not quit or falter. His heart feels for you and He empathizes with you at your greatest level of heartache.
Verses:
Lamentations 3:22-23:
Through the Lord's mercies, we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is your faithfulness.
Grief recovery isn't just for death...It's beneficial for any situation that has broken someone's heart.
God is with you right this very moment and He will never leave you. He will not forsake you in your grief. NO, He will help you through each and every heartache you go through. He is faithful!
God feels incredible compassion towards any heart that deeply hurts or repents. NOTHING you have done, and nothing that has been done to you, could ever make God love you less. He is here with you right now for the long haul. He does not quit or falter. His heart feels for you and He empathizes with you at your greatest level of heartache.
Verses:
Lamentations 3:22-23:
Through the Lord's mercies, we are not consumed,
Because His compassions fail not.
They are new every morning;
Great is your faithfulness.
Thursday, November 10, 2016
The Comfort of Christ's Coming
Day 11 of Grief Bites, A New Approach
We KNOW we have hope in Christ...
Our goal is to actually experience hope, so we can find joy again in our lives, and hold on to this hope throughout our lives for future life challenges too.
As we focus on God and His Word, and praise Him through our grief experience, we find a precious treasure: His hope.
Verse:
The Comfort of Christ's Coming
1 Thessalonians 4:13: But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
Psalm 71:14:
But I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
We KNOW we have hope in Christ...
Our goal is to actually experience hope, so we can find joy again in our lives, and hold on to this hope throughout our lives for future life challenges too.
As we focus on God and His Word, and praise Him through our grief experience, we find a precious treasure: His hope.
Verse:
The Comfort of Christ's Coming
1 Thessalonians 4:13: But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope.
Psalm 71:14:
But I will hope continually,
And will praise You yet more and more.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
Closed Door
From Day 10 of Grief Bites, A New Approach
Attempting to force a closed door open delays where God desires to guide and direct you.
Sometimes God closes a door so He can open an unexpected window.
When we seek God first and foremost, and keep Him first place in our lives, we are guaranteed to be in His perfect will.
Attempting to force a closed door open delays where God desires to guide and direct you.
Sometimes God closes a door so He can open an unexpected window.
When we seek God first and foremost, and keep Him first place in our lives, we are guaranteed to be in His perfect will.
Tuesday, November 8, 2016
Grace to heal
Day 9 of Grief Bites, A New Approach
As you focus on God, an amazing thing begins to transpire: His grace begins to fill your heart as He gives you His amazing grace to heal.
As you focus on God, an amazing thing begins to transpire: His grace begins to fill your heart as He gives you His amazing grace to heal.
Monday, November 7, 2016
Heartbreaking hardships
Day 8 of Grief Bites, A New Approach. I used the above title because it seemed like a silly word combination.
What if the pain He allows in your life TODAY increases the flexibility of ways He is then able to use you for His glory TOMORROW?
When you are being stretched out of your comfort zone, always remember that it is the very place God will have the most flexibility to show His divine power through you to those places of your life.
What if the pain He allows in your life TODAY increases the flexibility of ways He is then able to use you for His glory TOMORROW?
When you are being stretched out of your comfort zone, always remember that it is the very place God will have the most flexibility to show His divine power through you to those places of your life.
Saving Many Lives
Day 7 of Grief Bites, A New Approach
Trust God--There is nothing that has touched your life that God has not allowed, limited, or won't use for His glory and your blessing.
When you focus on the grief you many succumb to hopelessness, but when you focus on the Savior, His plan will bring healing.
There are many grief experiences that can break your heart, but you can always be assured that God has the power to accomplish good through each experience and use it as a powerful testimony to bring those around you to the cross, saving many lives.
Verse:
Genesis 50:20:
But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.
Trust God--There is nothing that has touched your life that God has not allowed, limited, or won't use for His glory and your blessing.
When you focus on the grief you many succumb to hopelessness, but when you focus on the Savior, His plan will bring healing.
There are many grief experiences that can break your heart, but you can always be assured that God has the power to accomplish good through each experience and use it as a powerful testimony to bring those around you to the cross, saving many lives.
Verse:
Genesis 50:20:
But as for you, you meant evil against me; but God meant it for good, in order to bring it about as it is this day, to save many people alive.
Incredibly Loved
Day 6 of Grief Bites, A New Approach
Three truths:
1. God is an incredible source of comfort, love, and joy--in ALL things and every situation!
2. Your life has amazing worth--don't waste it...the gift of being alive is reason enough to
celebrate God's love and presence every single day!
3. You are incredibly valuable and loved--you have a greater purpose than you realize...pursue
God's heart to find it!
Verse:
Isaiah 49:16:
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
Your walls are continually before Me.
Psalm 139: 17-18:
How precious also are Your thoughts to Me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.
Other thoughts: tattoed on His hands, knows # of hairs on our head, thinks of us more than there are grains of sand
Three truths:
1. God is an incredible source of comfort, love, and joy--in ALL things and every situation!
2. Your life has amazing worth--don't waste it...the gift of being alive is reason enough to
celebrate God's love and presence every single day!
3. You are incredibly valuable and loved--you have a greater purpose than you realize...pursue
God's heart to find it!
Verse:
Isaiah 49:16:
See, I have inscribed you on the palms of My hands;
Your walls are continually before Me.
Psalm 139: 17-18:
How precious also are Your thoughts to Me, O God!
How great is the sum of them!
If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand;
When I awake, I am still with You.
Other thoughts: tattoed on His hands, knows # of hairs on our head, thinks of us more than there are grains of sand
Friday, November 4, 2016
Great pain for great purpose
Day 5 of Grief Bites, A New Approach
Grief is such a purifying and refining experience as you seek God's heart and allow Him to heal and newly mold your heart.
God is the author and we are the book.
You may be in the worst chapter of your life, but your life story isn't over yet.
God has a purpose through every trial or heartache we go through...Everything we experience in life has to first be sifted through God for His approval. If He allows something to greatly break your heart, you can be guaranteed He has a great purpose for it.
Today may be a day of great pain...but tomorrow is on the way!
Verse:
Joshua 3:5:
And Joshua said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you."
Grief is such a purifying and refining experience as you seek God's heart and allow Him to heal and newly mold your heart.
God is the author and we are the book.
You may be in the worst chapter of your life, but your life story isn't over yet.
God has a purpose through every trial or heartache we go through...Everything we experience in life has to first be sifted through God for His approval. If He allows something to greatly break your heart, you can be guaranteed He has a great purpose for it.
Today may be a day of great pain...but tomorrow is on the way!
Verse:
Joshua 3:5:
And Joshua said to the people, "Sanctify yourselves, for tomorrow the Lord will do wonders among you."
Wednesday, November 2, 2016
We Are Never Alone
Day 3 of Grief Bites, A New Approach. I love this series! It's totally focused on death and not other losses. (That sounds horrible-sorry!)
Sometimes, those going through grief feel all alone. The great news is this: we are never alone.
God has not forgotten about you in your time of heartache and loss...and He never will.
When faced with deep grief, we can be tempted to believe we have been forsaken. We can feel terribly alone, as though no one could possibly understand the depth of our heart's cries. There is Someone who can indeed relate to our heartaches in life...God.
God cares so much about our grief and He can truly understand each and every teardrop that falls. In fact, He cares so much about you that He has collected EVERY tear you've ever cried.
One day, while I was going through deep heartache, I began to study what the Bible had to say about grief. I found God's Word had amazing blueprints for grief, heartache, loss, and trials.
Today, I invite you to do the same thing I did: do a personal study on grief as you read God's Word. It's a fascinating study that will bring you closer to God's heart than you could ever imagine.
How amazing and beautiful is it that God cares so deeply about us that He collects every tear we cry and records every sorrow we ever experience? (I love this thought of Him having all of our tears).
We serve a great God who will be with us, and even carry us, through life's heartaches.
God has a grand purpose for your life...seek His heart to find it!
(Encouragement to read Bible in a year from author).
Verse:
Psalm 56:8
You numbered my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?
Sometimes, those going through grief feel all alone. The great news is this: we are never alone.
God has not forgotten about you in your time of heartache and loss...and He never will.
When faced with deep grief, we can be tempted to believe we have been forsaken. We can feel terribly alone, as though no one could possibly understand the depth of our heart's cries. There is Someone who can indeed relate to our heartaches in life...God.
God cares so much about our grief and He can truly understand each and every teardrop that falls. In fact, He cares so much about you that He has collected EVERY tear you've ever cried.
One day, while I was going through deep heartache, I began to study what the Bible had to say about grief. I found God's Word had amazing blueprints for grief, heartache, loss, and trials.
Today, I invite you to do the same thing I did: do a personal study on grief as you read God's Word. It's a fascinating study that will bring you closer to God's heart than you could ever imagine.
How amazing and beautiful is it that God cares so deeply about us that He collects every tear we cry and records every sorrow we ever experience? (I love this thought of Him having all of our tears).
We serve a great God who will be with us, and even carry us, through life's heartaches.
God has a grand purpose for your life...seek His heart to find it!
(Encouragement to read Bible in a year from author).
Verse:
Psalm 56:8
You numbered my wanderings;
Put my tears into Your bottle;
Are they not in Your book?
Love Prevails
There was a beautiful video that came up on my Facebook page yesterday for the bereaved mother. I think it was from the On Coming Alive series. I will have to see if I can get the transcript of it, but it was talking about the love of the bereaved mother, how beautiful and powerful it is. I sent it to Lydia Kimball yesterday and she loved it.
There are other bereaved mothers I know, of course, but they're not too responsive on Facebook so I just sent it to Lydia because I know she would not only appreciate it but tell me so. The video ends with these words:
There are other bereaved mothers I know, of course, but they're not too responsive on Facebook so I just sent it to Lydia because I know she would not only appreciate it but tell me so. The video ends with these words:
Even in death
Love prevails
Tuesday, November 1, 2016
Temporary Home
Related to the prior post about Kennedy Tennant, her mom mentioned this somewhere (it might have been in her obituary).It's a song by Carrie Underwood. I might just include some of it.
(Young) man, hospital bed
The room is filled with people he loves
And he whispers
"Don't cry for me, I'll see you all someday"
He looks up and says
"I can see God's face"
This is my temporary home, it's not where I belong
Windows and rooms that I'm passing through
This was just a stop on the way to where I'm going
I'm not afraid because I know
This was my temporary home
This is our temporary home
Depth not realized
There was a little girl who was killed in a car accident a few weeks ago whose family is somehow tied to Dad's cousin's Billie Jo. I read her obituary today and there was a line that I wanted to remember:
We will miss (her) with a depth we haven't fully realized.
Closest to your heart
Quote from A.W. Tozer today on Facebook:
What's closest to your heart is what you talk about, and if God is close to your heart, you will talk about Him.
My own comment: After thinking about this, I realized that I mostly talk about my kids. I should try to talk about God more too. I just love you and Hope and Carter so much!
What's closest to your heart is what you talk about, and if God is close to your heart, you will talk about Him.
My own comment: After thinking about this, I realized that I mostly talk about my kids. I should try to talk about God more too. I just love you and Hope and Carter so much!
Two Choices
Day 2 of Grief Bites, A New Approach...
During life's tough events, we have two choices: resent God and our grief...OR...embrace God and our grief.
When we grow bitter with resentment, we deny ourselves an incredible opportunity...the opportunity to know and understand God at a richer, more intimate level, as well as the opportunity to experience His hope and love that only He can pour into a hurting heart.
Running to God during times of grief has a GREAT reward: it will lead you to His very heart and this will eventually enable you to experience greater JOY...authentic JOY!
We must allow God to paint the entirety of our individual grief's picture so that He receives the credit for what He accomplishes through our situations of grief or loss.
He is faithful to lift you up in due time.
Verse:
1 Peter 5:6-7
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.
Love you boy!
My comments: For the last two statements/sentences, I don't quite get them but they are interesting to think about.
During life's tough events, we have two choices: resent God and our grief...OR...embrace God and our grief.
When we grow bitter with resentment, we deny ourselves an incredible opportunity...the opportunity to know and understand God at a richer, more intimate level, as well as the opportunity to experience His hope and love that only He can pour into a hurting heart.
Running to God during times of grief has a GREAT reward: it will lead you to His very heart and this will eventually enable you to experience greater JOY...authentic JOY!
We must allow God to paint the entirety of our individual grief's picture so that He receives the credit for what He accomplishes through our situations of grief or loss.
He is faithful to lift you up in due time.
Verse:
1 Peter 5:6-7
Therefore humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, that He may exalt you in due time, casting all your cares upon Him, for He cares for you.
Love you boy!
My comments: For the last two statements/sentences, I don't quite get them but they are interesting to think about.