Friday, January 29, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Tuesday, January 19, 2010
Rejoice in Suffering?
I have a friend who lost her daughter, due to a car accident 2 years ago. She still is not coping. This was in today's Grief Share email and may be the explanation:
In the Bible the apostle Paul says that you should rejoice in your suffering. This advice sounds incredible, especially when you are in the midst of pain.
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us" (Romans 5:3-5).
After looking closer at Paul's words, you will realize that he is not saying to be glad about what happened, not at all! He tells you that you are to use your suffering as a time of personal growth in which you ultimately experience an outpouring of God's love into your heart.
Dr. Ray Pritchard says, "Christians who most deeply experience the love of God are those who have not fought against God at the point of their suffering, but they've said, 'Lord, I don't understand. God, this doesn't make any sense. I wish this would go away, but, Lord, I'm going to cooperate with You. I'm going to walk with You through this.'
"Through that, God gives them perseverance; He develops character; character becomes hope, and in the end, their hearts are soft, and then they experience the love of God."
Lord, I'm not happy with this, but I will make the best of it. Pour out Your Spirit on me, and give me perseverance, character, and hope. Lord, I sure need hope. Amen.
In the Bible the apostle Paul says that you should rejoice in your suffering. This advice sounds incredible, especially when you are in the midst of pain.
"Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us" (Romans 5:3-5).
After looking closer at Paul's words, you will realize that he is not saying to be glad about what happened, not at all! He tells you that you are to use your suffering as a time of personal growth in which you ultimately experience an outpouring of God's love into your heart.
Dr. Ray Pritchard says, "Christians who most deeply experience the love of God are those who have not fought against God at the point of their suffering, but they've said, 'Lord, I don't understand. God, this doesn't make any sense. I wish this would go away, but, Lord, I'm going to cooperate with You. I'm going to walk with You through this.'
"Through that, God gives them perseverance; He develops character; character becomes hope, and in the end, their hearts are soft, and then they experience the love of God."
Lord, I'm not happy with this, but I will make the best of it. Pour out Your Spirit on me, and give me perseverance, character, and hope. Lord, I sure need hope. Amen.
Friday, January 15, 2010
What a Difference a Year Makes
I have been anticipating today's date for quite awhile. This day last year was the day that everything changed. I remember the call that my sister had cancer.
It would be so easy to fall to pieces, but I'm not going to do that. No, today I will think about the people of Haiti, how they have lost loved ones, and have no food and shelter. I will be thankful that our Guenevere is safely tucked into Heaven with all of her needs met.
It would be so easy to fall to pieces, but I'm not going to do that. No, today I will think about the people of Haiti, how they have lost loved ones, and have no food and shelter. I will be thankful that our Guenevere is safely tucked into Heaven with all of her needs met.
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
Nine Months Ago
Today is the nine month anniversary since Guen's passing, and I am relieved to say that the 12th of every month is not as bitter a pill as it was in earlier months. Today though, we will celebrate the "Incredible Edible Libby" and her take on the New Year. She is celebrating 2000 plus 10 with ten fingers. Yesterday she told me she could see her shadow. I painted her nails, and there was too much excitement for a nap, but she started to get tired. She has a toy dinosaur. SpongeBob is king. I love her soft spoken ways.
Tuesday, January 5, 2010
The Unexpected
I was looking up fonts and came across some really nice ones for a new project. The artist, named Sara, had made a design statement so I looked up some of her other stuff. She started doing alot of projects when she lost her leg to cancer years ago. I felt inspired and read more about her. I was surprised that she had documented so many aspects of her life, and even more surprised to discover that she died 2 weeks before Guen did. This statement regarding her blog was written by her boyfriend:
"She started this website because there's more to life than what we lose, and we need to let each other know what's possible, even if it's only a happy, ordinary life."
Reading his process of grief reminded me of our own struggles. The last entry he made was in Sept. 09 and he was drowning in sorrow. I am learning so much about grief and how universal it is. I could feel the anguish through his words.
"She started this website because there's more to life than what we lose, and we need to let each other know what's possible, even if it's only a happy, ordinary life."
Reading his process of grief reminded me of our own struggles. The last entry he made was in Sept. 09 and he was drowning in sorrow. I am learning so much about grief and how universal it is. I could feel the anguish through his words.
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