As Those Who Have No Hope

Where to start.

With the wife of 50 years saying so long to those big gentle hands; one laying perfectly on top of the other?  Her daughters stand lingering; touching one last time, knowing they are separated only for awhile.

With the 24 year old who can no longer move or talk,  his body so weak and consumed with this disease?  He's ready to go on.  His momma begging, pleading for him to stay.  My guess is that he pretty much always did what his momma wanted, even if he didn't want to.  My guess is he is ready to go and needs her to tell him it is ok.  My heart hurts for her.  Could I do that?  Tell my boy it's ok to go?  That I'll see him soon?  Maybe she doesn't know she could see him again?

With the young daughter who watched her dad live a life that cut his time way too short?  She will grow up without her daddy.  She will probably make better choices for her own life because she will always remember this pain.

With the girl in the back seat crying black all over her pillow case, finally falling asleep exhausted?  She held babies for four days.  Babies who didn't belong to her.  She barely made it to the car so others she had showered with grace would be none the wiser to the pain so deep.  How I desperately want to take that pain from the pit of her being and the ache from the inside of her elbows and carry it as my own.  Relieve her for just a little bit.  It's not mine to carry - it is hers.  If I took it, I would be robbing her of strength that will be needed for future.  Robbing her of a confidence that God does hear.  A God of hope.

With the mommy who waited for 18 years to bring breath into this world, but held breathless instead?  I watched as she lovingly wiped his little face and cried.  Held his little feet with the fourth toe on his right foot bending under the third.  So, so precious.  Everything in me wanted to wrap this perfect stranger up in my arms and hold her grief.  I couldn't keep from touching her, hoping it could bring a little comfort.

Forty eight hours of heartache.

Mixed with a little joy.

Heartache for those who have no hope.

Joy for those who know this is just for a time.

One has a life time of beautiful memories of being married to her best friend and lover.  They won't be apart long.  She has hope.

One continues the vigil over her son in a town of strangers.  Not yet willing to let him go because she isn't sure exactly what that means.  Praying for her heart to know before she gets in the car without her boy and heads on home. Thankful that Michael is there with the answers for her.  Oh, please let her know.

One no longer has an earthly daddy, but is in a place where people will show her she has a heavenly Father.

One knows God has a plan and trusts that plan, but there are days that are just. so. hard.  Jesus, be the strength of her heart and her portion forever.

One has cold photos instead of warm body, but at least it is something to help her remember the too few hours she held and loved.  Though her heart is breaking, I still saw joy of knowing what the future holds.  Jesus, comfort her sweet heart.

Thank You, Father, that You are Husband.  You are Comforter.  You are Father to the fatherless.  You can handle all of this when sometimes it gets a little hard to carry on our own.  And Lord . . . please, please, please give a hope to the hearts who have no hope.

My Boys

I came across this picture this morning and felt so emotional as I began to pray for them.

Lord, guide them.  May they be blessed because they do not walk in the counsel of the wicked, or stand in the way of sinners, or sit in the seat of the scoffers; but their delight is in Your law and on Your law they meditate day and night.  May they be like trees planted by streams of water that yield fruit in season and the leaves do not wither and that all they do they will prosper. (Psalm 1)


May they be loving; be joyful, peaceful men;  patient, kind, good husbands. Make their soul and actions abound with faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control, for against such things there is no law. By Christ Jesus crucify their flesh with its passions and desires. Let them not grow weary in doing good, for in due season they will reap if they do not give up. And may they never boast except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by which the world has been crucified to him, and he to the world (Galatians 5 & 6).

Oh, sweet, sweet Jesus, hear my prayer.  Incline Your ear to me.

Two Days to Live

Last week Michael was preparing to preach on Jesus and His disciples in the upper room.  I was already in bed and he asked what I would do if I had about 48 hours left to live.  Jesus sat with those men He loved so much and showed them how to live by washing their feet and telling them why it was important.   Then He told them to go and do the same for others.

Without hesitation I said that I would gather all our kids.  I would gather them and when they all got here I would talk a lot.  I would tell them every thing they could possibly need to know to be found faithful when they stand before the Lord.

I would give details of all these things that could actually be summed up in just one sentence.

DO THE RIGHT THING.

He has spelled it out for us in black and white.

Boys.  Love your wives.  No one else.  Just them.  Keep the marriage bed pure.  That means you don't have friends of the opposite sex.  Your best friend is your bride and you aren't missing out on anything but heartache if you do otherwise.  Treat her like she is a princess and take care of her heart so she won't find that love somewhere else.  I believe with all my heart you will stand accountable for this first, because she is your first responsibility.  Teach your kids to love and fear the Lord.  Be a godly example to them and to your brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews.  Be a vessel of honor, not a vessel of dishonor.

Please.

Girls.  Love your husbands.  Be an active helpmeet and show him respect.  That's the language he speaks.   Satiate him from your buffet at home so that he won't be tempted to go for dessert somewhere else (love his socks off!).  You don't need friends of the opposite sex. Treat him like a king and take care of his heart.  Just his.  No one else's.   Your first accountability will be how you did this.  Raise your kids to love and fear the Lord.  Show your brothers and sisters, nephews and nieces what it is to be a vessel of honor.

Please.

If I had 48 hours left, that is what I would say.  I would wash their feet with the Word.

Just like Jesus did.




Linking up with:  A Better Mom & Titus 2sday

There She Goes

I warned the world when Rachel got her learner's permit and now it is official.  She has her license!  She and her daddy went Tuesday afternoon and we now have the last of our offspring able to run to the store if needed.

She wasn't back home long before she was ready to go to town by herself, so the first order of business to ask Dad for . . . !

 

Pulling wallet out of back pocket.

There she goes.

I would be lying if I said I watched this with no tears.  

I Want to Live Like That

Sometimes I think

What will people say of me

When I'm only just a memory

   When I'm home where my soul belongs 

We attend funerals fairly often and hear family tell all the great things about the one who has gone on to wait for them.  One cannot help but become reflective and wonder how it would be if it was their family and what they would say.

Was I love

When no one else would show up

Was I Jesus to the least of those

  Was my worship more than just a song 

If someone thinks of you, would they also automatically think of Jesus?  Were you Love, were you Jesus to the least of those, was your worship more than a song?

Better yet - ARE you Love, ARE you Jesus to the least of those, IS your worship more than just a song?

Am I proof

That You are who you say You are

That grace can really change a heart

Do I live like Your love is true 

When people look at you do they see that you doubt His faithfulness?  Are you living in fear of how tomorrow is going to work?  Or, are you proof that He is Who He says He is?

People pass

And even if they don't know my name

Is there evidence that I've been changed

When they see me, do they see You 

I asked a question of the ladies last night at Bible study.  When your name is mentioned, do they think of Jesus?  Is your name ever used in the same sentence?  That needs to be our goal.  That we live like that.

I want to live like that

And give it all I have

So that everything I say and do

Points to You 

I want to give it all I have.  I love this song by Sidewalk Prophets.  Love it.

Oh, sweet Jesus, 

everything I say and do, 

I want it to point to You.

The Wheels in my Head go Round and Round

My Jesus, My Savior

Lord there is none like you.

I need to copy the sign up sheets for the directory to be ready for right after church.

All of my days, I long to praise the wonders of your mighty love.

I need to make sure the girls get the taco meat to take to mom's for lunch while I meet with young mommy.

My Comfort, my shelter, tower of refuge and strength. Let every breath, all that I am, never cease to worship You.

I'm ready to go see Mickey after lunch.  
I hope we make it before she says hello to Jesus 
face to face.

Shout to the Lord all the earth let us sing

Power and majesty praise to the King

Mountains bow down and the seas will roar

at the sound of your Name

STOP IT!!!

At the sound of His name the mountains bow down and the sea will roar, 

but I'm not even here.  While the words come out, the "to do" list 

was getting louder and louder in my head. 

 What am I doing?  

Father, I want to be single-minded.  Focused on You.  Not on what I have to remember to do, or who isn't here this morning, or who is going through what.  I need to stop it.  I need to think about You.

I sing for joy at the work of Your hands

Forever I'll love you, forever I'll stand

Nothing compares to the promise I have in You.