Monday, April 07, 2008

a nugget, or maybe a boulder!

For Christmas Cam bought me a great devotional prayer book. I had picked it out for two reasons;
1) It's by one of my favorite author/speakers Beth Moore
2) It's a daily short/quick prayer devotional.
As I'm sure most of you have experienced that being a mama doesn't always allow you the time you desire and need to be with the Lord on a daily basis. So, I thought this book would be a good daily routine for me to do. An easy one. And, praise the Lord, it has been. Yesterday I was very touched by what I read. I have been thinking it over since I read it and feel moved to share.
I hope the Holy Spirit speaks to you through this in whatever way it will touch you most.

Thought:
If nothing frightening ever happened, how could the assurance of God's constant presence be the quieter of our fears?

Prayer:
Under the inspiration of the Holy Spirit, the writer of Psalm 119 said, "It was good for me to be afflicted, so that I might learn your decrees. The law from your mouth is more precious to me than thousands of pieces of silver and gold. Your hand made me and formed me; give me understanding to learn your commands. May those who fear you rejoice when they see me, for I have put my hope in your word" Pslam 119:71-74.
I am only beginning to understand what he meant, Lord. We never know what You and Your Word mean until we are so afflicted that we cannot live without You. Teach me Your powerful Word, so that meaning can come forth from tragedy.

As I re-read this post I am touched beyond words. I can't help but think back to that Easter morning when my Daddy was called Home to meet his Lord. Yes, it was the hardest thing I had ever experienced but, looking back, oh the things God was preparing me for. I still remember what my Grandma Guin (my Daddy's mother) told me later that same day, "Jessica June, God will never give you more than you can handle with His strength. I know God is preparing you for something none us can imagine." My Grandma (Billie June) Guin was always a huge source of love for me. And though we lost her to a gang-related shooting not six years later, she still gives me great comfort from those words.

When you are going through a hard time, do you ever wonder or even cry out to God, "why is this happening to me?" or, "why are you letting this happen to me?" I know you will often here that we may never know the reason(s) for that trail or season in our lives. But reflecting on my Grandma's words and this prayer, I feel I know why I lost my Daddy. Because God was preparing me to meet and marry my first husband, Marcel. It's an awesome thing, to be thankful for a tragedy or hard time life, or better, our Father has allowed in our lives.

I'm not even sure what else to say right now. This post has much more to it then I had originally intended. I love each one of you and am thankful that the Lord has put you in my life.

6 comments:

Laura said...

Thank you, thank you for posting this. What an encouragement. I have to tell you the image that stands out in my mind...at Marcel's funeral I was in the back, but in view of you off to the side. I will never forget you lifting your hands high to the Lord and singing the words to "Yet I Will Praise". You will never know how much that ministered to me.

Melissa said...

Thank you for sharing.

Anonymous said...

It is so true that the Lord Jesus is so faithful, and He is always there even in the midst of difficult times! Thank you Jesus that He gives us the wisdom, peace, comfort, and ability to get through difficult times! Thanks Jess,
jewels

Carrie Postma said...

I'm glad you posted this and shared your heart, Sweets. You are an amazing woman and an example of strength and God's grace. Huggies.

The Harrison's said...

Wow, Jess, I am balling right now. And Laura hit the nail right on the head, I remember watching you worship the Lord too, and that has stuck with me and made such an impact on me. I love you so much. I am so blessed, and priveleged, to be one of the ones that has witnessed His amazing strength and faithfulness in your life.

"Though He slay me, yet I will trust in Him." Job 13:15

I don't know too many people who can say this yet, but when my time comes to go through the fire, this is my desire. Thank you sweetie, for your friendship and faith in Him.

:corinne: said...

Wonderful and powerful post Jess! Yes the Lord allows us to go through things...but never what we CANNOT handle! Praise the Lord for that! Thank you again for your encouragement :)