The clinging on to Joy. You know, Not taking a moment for granted. Realizing our days are numbered and savouring each and every precious moment together.
Make this feeling of thankfulness and most indescribable family synch, stay...
With the passing of Kdog's momma, we've been emotionally & physically exhausted. There were emotions that surfaced we were unaware exisited. But, that goes to show you can never really prepare for the passing of a parent.
We've been grieving for years. Slowly over time, as you lose your loved one the FIRST time, to Alzheimer's, you begin to grieve.
Thank goodness we are on the other side of the hill and have found JOY in pain and earthly confusion.
But, the most amazing part of this whole experience is that this scripture has come alive in our home:
Not only that, but we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us. (Romans 5:3-5 ESV)
I keep saying to myself over and over, make it stay. Make this sense of urgency and thanksgiving and love and savouring every. Single. Moment. Stay.
It's so annoying to be human sometimes.
We get caught up in the mundane. We drown ourselves in laziness. And hop right back on that 'take it all for granted' train.
I keep finding myself deeply pondering how to make these feelings of urgency stay.
There's only a few 'good' answers for this question...
Stay connected to God's word. In His presence we find urgency.
John Piper writes about paradoxes of Christian life:
Let me illustrate some of the paradoxes of the Christian life by simply quoting the apostle Paul. He described his own life in 2 Corinthians 6:8–10 like this:
. . . as sorrowful, yet always rejoicing; as poor, yet making many rich; as having nothing, and yet possessing everything.
This is what I mean by the paradoxes of the Christian life. Paul says he is "sorrowful, yet always rejoicing." How can you be always rejoicing if you are sometimes sorrowful? There must be some kind of "sorrowful joy" and "joyful sorrow." Indeed, there is—that is one of the deep paradoxes of life for those who rest in a sovereign God and live in a sinful world.
No matter what: God is sovereign.
John Piper goes on to dissect Ephessians 5:15-20 and has such great insight on giving thanks and being careful and vigilant...
{But let us be very careful here. It doesn't say you should dance around the coffin. It doesn't say you can't cry if you have cancer. It doesn't say there is no place for anger against injustice. But it does say, "Always be thankful for everything." And this is the word of God, not merely the word of man. If it puzzles us, if it even provokes us, we must not become cynical or rebellious.}
If you'd like to read more on this article by John Piper you can do so here:
We can't go forward focusing on what should have been or what could be...we need to be present. Always.
As I watch Kdog twirl our daughter around the kitchen and chase our toddler tornado through the dining room I focus on THESE MOMENTS. Enjoy each sweet moment and let laughter echo in your memory.
I am seriously overcome with gratitude for all the lessons I've learned over the past 12 years as we watched my mother in law's body and mind deteriorate.
Am I sad this had to happen? Absolutely.
But, am I thankful for the impact it has had on my relationship with The Lord?
More thankful than I can ever express.
We can't ever go back, in this house, the way it was before 'Nanna' passed away. And I wouldn't want to...we have been blessed with the knowledge and feelings of a greater joy that can only come from God. He has allowed us to glimpse into the eternal elation that will be forever our own when we one day join our loved ones in Heaven.
Do you know that greater joy?
Are you really living the life God has planned for you?
Can you find peace and happiness in the midst of earthly sorrow?
This Hope can be yours, and it is found in Jesus.
The Lord doesn't care if you have a good job, He doesn't care if you've got a zillion dollars, He doesn't care if people like you.
But He does care if you have a relationship with Him, bringing others to know His love and spreading the indescribable joy that is eternal.
May we not focus on our earthly pain but remember...
'O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. Sing praises to the Lord, O you saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime, weeping may tarry for the night, but JOY comes with the morning. (Psalm 30: 2-5)
Dear Heavenly Father,
May I NEVER lose the urgency to live each day as it is my last here on earth. Help me to focus on the NOW and be present in the every day life you have given me. Make me solid in faith and a studious servant to your scripture. My days are numbered but my joy is eternal because of Your power and relentless love for me. You are my hope and my foundation for each waking day. Thank you. Thank you, for You. Thank you for all you have done and all that you have yet to do...
Amen.
More thankful than I can ever express.
We can't ever go back, in this house, the way it was before 'Nanna' passed away. And I wouldn't want to...we have been blessed with the knowledge and feelings of a greater joy that can only come from God. He has allowed us to glimpse into the eternal elation that will be forever our own when we one day join our loved ones in Heaven.
Do you know that greater joy?
Are you really living the life God has planned for you?
Can you find peace and happiness in the midst of earthly sorrow?
This Hope can be yours, and it is found in Jesus.
The Lord doesn't care if you have a good job, He doesn't care if you've got a zillion dollars, He doesn't care if people like you.
But He does care if you have a relationship with Him, bringing others to know His love and spreading the indescribable joy that is eternal.
May we not focus on our earthly pain but remember...
'O Lord my God, I cried to you for help, and you have healed me. O Lord, you have brought up my soul from Sheol; you restored me to life from among those who go down to the pit. Sing praises to the Lord, O you saints, and give thanks to his holy name. For his anger is but for a moment, and his favor is for a lifetime, weeping may tarry for the night, but JOY comes with the morning. (Psalm 30: 2-5)
Dear Heavenly Father,
May I NEVER lose the urgency to live each day as it is my last here on earth. Help me to focus on the NOW and be present in the every day life you have given me. Make me solid in faith and a studious servant to your scripture. My days are numbered but my joy is eternal because of Your power and relentless love for me. You are my hope and my foundation for each waking day. Thank you. Thank you, for You. Thank you for all you have done and all that you have yet to do...
Amen.
