the Lord gave, and the Lord hath taken away; blessed be the name of the Lord.
~Job 1:21
Life is bittersweet. I've been realizing that more now than ever. It's not always a patch of roses. Sometimes the thorns overtake the beauty and other times its the beauty without the thorns. But that's the beauty of life. It's NOT perfect. Just when we get to feeling a little too comfy in this world, God sends us a reminder that this IS NOT our home. We should Praise God for that. Because it creates in our hearts a deeper longing for heaven someday - At least it should.
I've been thinking a lot about Job lately. After the last tragety, I didn't think our community could handle any more hurt. I was wrong. And now I realize that we REALLY don't know what the future holds. We can look at statistics and think that we are done losing loved-ones for a while, but that's the farthest thing from the truth. It's in God's hands, not statistical data. Just look at Job. Anyone looking at his life at that time would never have guessed after he lost all of his possessions, that he would lose his WHOLE family and be left with absolutely NOTHING. Job's life is an awesome testimony for us today. No matter how much sorrow we are experiencing, God is FAITHFUL. And through Him, we can find beauty amongst the thorns.
On to the sweet and rosy part of life, aside from the thorns, I had an amazing weekend with some AMAZING people. It was one of those weekends that leaves you feeling somewhat (or maybe extremely) depressed after its over. I know, I know, weekends like this should be uplifting, but it's sooo hard to say goodbye to friends from miles and miles away, not knowing when you may see each other again. But as a dear friend reminded me, we have to say goodbye before we can say hello again, whether its here on earth or in heaven. So I just cling to the memories and thank God for todays wonderful technology that allows us to keep in touch despite the many miles in between.
So to my dear friend who braved Illinois for 3 whole days, thanks SOO much for coming. Even if you were a little intimidated! (Which is absolutely ridiculous) ;) For not hardly even knowing you (I must confess I couldn't remember your last name for the longest time, even though you were coming to stay w/ me for invite-a-friend!), I feel like we could have been lifelong sisters after this weekend. From thinking the same thoughts, to reading each others mind, it really was quite amazing how quickly we clicked! Guess the Praise goes to our Wonderful Heavenly Father once again for giving us this chance to become good life-long friends.
Sigh. God has blessed me beyond measure.
I've been thinking a lot about Job lately. After the last tragety, I didn't think our community could handle any more hurt. I was wrong. And now I realize that we REALLY don't know what the future holds. We can look at statistics and think that we are done losing loved-ones for a while, but that's the farthest thing from the truth. It's in God's hands, not statistical data. Just look at Job. Anyone looking at his life at that time would never have guessed after he lost all of his possessions, that he would lose his WHOLE family and be left with absolutely NOTHING. Job's life is an awesome testimony for us today. No matter how much sorrow we are experiencing, God is FAITHFUL. And through Him, we can find beauty amongst the thorns.
On to the sweet and rosy part of life, aside from the thorns, I had an amazing weekend with some AMAZING people. It was one of those weekends that leaves you feeling somewhat (or maybe extremely) depressed after its over. I know, I know, weekends like this should be uplifting, but it's sooo hard to say goodbye to friends from miles and miles away, not knowing when you may see each other again. But as a dear friend reminded me, we have to say goodbye before we can say hello again, whether its here on earth or in heaven. So I just cling to the memories and thank God for todays wonderful technology that allows us to keep in touch despite the many miles in between.
So to my dear friend who braved Illinois for 3 whole days, thanks SOO much for coming. Even if you were a little intimidated! (Which is absolutely ridiculous) ;) For not hardly even knowing you (I must confess I couldn't remember your last name for the longest time, even though you were coming to stay w/ me for invite-a-friend!), I feel like we could have been lifelong sisters after this weekend. From thinking the same thoughts, to reading each others mind, it really was quite amazing how quickly we clicked! Guess the Praise goes to our Wonderful Heavenly Father once again for giving us this chance to become good life-long friends.
Sigh. God has blessed me beyond measure.
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| TayTay ~ Miss you! |
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| Saturday night sleep-over buddies - Taylor, Me, Karla, & Nicole |
U girls are just too cute. :) And good words btw.....which is why we must treasure the roses and use the thorns to help us grow. Love YOU!!
ReplyDeleteUhmm, you're amazing. I love you back. And I thank God for that incredible weekend and for an incredible you. Love you Stick :)
ReplyDeletePs. Tiffany - you're the true creeper, not me.
Wow! That last pic says, "I am way to tired to look like I know what's going on!"
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking a lot about JOB too. This is what God had to say about Job: "Hast thou considered my servant Job, that there is none like him in the earth, a perfect and an upright man, one that feareth God, and escheweth evil?". Just makes me wonder if the same kind of conversations happen between God and Satan today?? I was also thinking: all that Job had was taken away, but it was restored even greater in the end. We may have things/people taken away from us, but in heaven we will realize that it was worth it all and our reward there will be much greater than anything we can imagine!
AMEN to your thoughts about the weekend....I, too, had a wonderful weekend, visiting a friend who feels like she could pretty much be the sister I never had. I understand completely when it comes to the depressing feeling when such a wonderful weekend is over...and yet I know the weekend was truly edifying when I find in myself a renewed zeal to strive harder throughout the following days and weeks to overcome the evils around me and reach higher ground. Thanks to all of you from Fairbary/Forrest who may read this for your hard work on our behalf -- it is greatly appreciated!
ReplyDeleteI also appreciate your insights into tragedy; sometimes it is hard to understand why certain things have to happen, and sometimes it seems like God sends more on top of enough in terms of heartache. But it is a good reminder for all of us to have our hearts focused on the ultimate goal and to prioritize accordingly. It's an opportunity to lift each other up and to experience, in new ways, the grace and strength available to those who put their trust and hope in the Lord.