We are simple sinners walking in God’s grace. These past 3/4
years were really hard for us as a family… I dwelled in my flesh a lot…. if
there is anything good you have seen in me it has been Christ’s mercy on my
sinful selfish soul powerfully shining trough despite my flesh.
I am thankful for these sufferings though…. not that I am
happy that things happened the way they did…but that in these sufferings God
has shown Himself to me in ways that otherwise I would have never seen
Him. I am thankful that He is Jehovah
Shammah (God is with us). That He created
us for a relationship with Him and that He loves me enough to show me over and
over again how much I desperately need Him. Through the trails in our lives and our sinful selves He has worked throughout History to lovingly show us that it is
not about us, that we aren’t in control, and that He loves us despite our
sinful selves. Here is great sermon
spells that out ..that encouraged me this week...
I wish I could say that my faith was beautiful through these
trials… that I was always full of peace and contentment never questioning God
but instead resting in my deep trust in Him.
But it is NOT true.
I was an ugly mess at times. I was at a place where nothing
seemed to be going MY WAY…. and I threw
some messy temper tantrums. I was discontent wanting so many different things than i was given. Tears flowed so many times these past few years.
The last 2 years were the hardest in our marriage as well.
Year #11's theme was "Year #11 Marriage isn't Heaven" (can't even find the picture for that one)
Year #12 1 Peter 5:10...
In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation.
Quite a contrast from this dazed little couple here….
We both realized how selfish and hurtful we can be when
stress arises and trials come…. When we are operating in our fleshiness…. but the great gift
God gives…. is grace…. and I need mountains of it to survive…
And somehow now I love Jonathan differently but in a "no matter what" kind of way.... new vows are being written and now with understanding that things won't be pretty and to count on me through those times/years.
And somehow now I love Jonathan differently but in a "no matter what" kind of way.... new vows are being written and now with understanding that things won't be pretty and to count on me through those times/years.
This story of struggle, trials, suffering, thorns in fleshes, and
redemption marks every follower of Christ throughout History. It is not that if
you follow Jesus you won’t suffer in this world… you will… it is even a promise
from God that you will ….
In his kindness God called you to share in his eternal glory by means of Christ Jesus. So after you have suffered a little while, he will restore, support, and strengthen you, and he will place you on a firm foundation. 1 Peter 5:10
Instead, be very glad—for these trials make you partners with Christ in his suffering, so that you will have the wonderful joy of seeing his glory when it is revealed to all the world. 1 Peter 4:13
So if you are suffering in a manner that pleases God, keep on doing what is right, and trust your lives to the God who created you, for he will never fail you. 1 Peter 4:19
Yes, and everyone who wants to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will suffer persecution. 2 Timothy 3:12
….it not that you are “perfect” if you are a follower of
Christ… if that were the requirement no one would be Christian… in fact it is
just the opposite if you are a follower of Christ.. you are basically admitting
you stink and all of your good efforts stink (are filthy rags ) and you
desperately need God to survive every day.
…. The most amazing thing in all of this trial filled and hard life is
that the ALMIGHTY CREATOR GOD… He is with you… you …. You know…. “you”… the
teeny tiny human… the one in a trillion whatever – I have no idea what number
person you are born into this world – but that number is what I am talking
about…
… HE does know though… what number you are…. HE knows the
number of hairs on your head…His thoughts for you outnumber the grain of sand
in enormous ol’ sea…..He cries when you cry even though He knows the ending
(Lazarus) … He formed you in your mothers womb… crafted your inner parts…
side note- the kids and I discussed briefly about DNA in Homeschool Science this
week….. it is over whelming to what detail God went to into creating you….
The God of the universe beyond anything we humans can
understand yet He loves us and wants to walk with us through our life trails…
WOW….. if we can get this it will draw us right into awe of Him and worship
of Him… which will bring us a joy that nothing in this created world can
offer.
What I am saying is that I am thankful… that despite my many
failures God is still with me… He is still working on me… He hasn’t
given up and wants me and loves me and through the sacrifice of Jesus He calls
me beloved daughter and even lets me go to work with Him where He is working around the world.
I am also thankful for the trails of life.. though they
leave me in tears they draw me closer to Him whom shapes me through them. He loves me enough to allow and even bring at times these tears in my life.
