It has been such an insane couple of weeks, I truly can't even find a place to begin. Mostly I think God has just been reminding me that my Ebenezer Stone needs to be dusted off and "set up". (Click the link if you are thoroughly confused.)When I have felt completely lost, I just kept trying to remember "Thus far, the Lord has helped us."
Why do you think it is so much easier to take your own heartache than to watch others hurt? Is it because with your own, you feel some semblance of control? I just don't know. In the last month, we have dealt with so many things attacking the next generation, the Enemy has been fierce in his quest to make these young ones feel hopeless and ineffective. From alcoholic parents to anorexia, from suicide to drug abuse, from tears of self loathing to cries of shame, violence, depression, surgeries, illness- our teens are hurting. And as I look around at the boy selling newspaper subscriptions, or the girl making sandwiches at Subway, I wonder if they know just how special they are to the One who made them. I wonder if they know how loved they are by the people in their life who maybe don't know how to show it. And more than anything, I wonder...is there any way I can tell them, Lord?
I have been hanging out in Isaiah, just because it is such an awesome book. And God showed me just how cool He really is. In chapter 30, verse 18 says "The LORD longs to be gracious to you, therefore He will rise up to show compassion on you. For the LORD is a God of justice; how blessed are ALL who long for Him."
Oh, how I long for my Lord. To know that He wants to be gracious and compassionate to me and the people I love so much, and all I need to realize how blessed I am is to LONG for him- what a comfort that has been these last weeks. When I look into the eyes of these hurting teens, I so wish I could help them to understand. Our Pastor said it so well on Sunday...basically that we aren't finished yet- we are just in the middle of our story, but the end is sure. It WILL be a happy ending if we love Jesus.
I wish I could tell them:
"Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
I have called you by name; you are Mine!
When you pass through the waters, I will be with you;
And through the rivers, they will not overflow you.
When you walk through the fire, you will not be scorched.
Nor will the flame burn you." Isaiah 43:1a-2
Now, don't get all bent out of shape. I know this is directed at the nation of Israel, but when I read it as a gentile believer in Yahweh, the one true God- it feels like a promise to all of us, doesn't it? If only I could tell all these hurting kids that God has CALLED them, that it is inevitable that they WILL walk through the fire, but He WILL NOT allow them to be burnt up in it...nor even singed. He will bring them out more beautiful and radiant if they choose to LONG for Him. To trust Him. I remember studying this passage awhile back in Beth Moore's Daniel study, and to come upon it now- when I needed the comfort the most was the sweetest gift. Now if God could just show me how to give that "gift" to these little peeps. <3
Needless to say, walking alongside this has put my own piddly problems in perspective. My son can whine about mowing the lawn and my daughter can talk about boys all she wants. I relish their little quirks and small heart aches, because it reminds me that they are alive, and talking (or fighting) with me. It reminds me that they are dealing with life in a healthy way, and it reminds me again...to tell them how much I adore them and how so very proud and blessed I feel to be their mother.
All in all, I am thankful that God is on His throne and He is working His plan. It is the one comfort in the midst of total madness. I am going to go cuddle up with my Lord and have a nice chat, and then tomorrow I am going to dust off that Ebenezer Stone and remember "Thus far the Lord has helped us" and keep my eyes on the horizon. The end of this story is going to be glorious...
"The moon will shine like the sun, and the sunlight will be seven times brighter, like the light of seven full days, when the LORD binds up the bruises of his people and heals the wounds he inflicted." Isaiah 30:26
(The pics were just for fun- will try to get some horsey updates for you, Cassie is growing like crazy and we have some fun videos of our "sassy" little filly!)
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