Gratitude

There is so much to say that words can hardly begin to write them all out. As most of you know I have not blogged in a while because of a wedding and crazy business. Back and forth to Michigan has left little time for much. I begin by saying that Emily and Jon's wedding was just beautiful. I say again - their ceremony had Christ wrapped all around and I just love that. The service was filled with music and worship to Christ. Tears of gratitude to our heavenly Father filled many eyes, including Emily and Jon.

At the beginning of the week we were thrilled that sister Denise and Mike came back from Kenya to surprise all the sisters for the wedding. Tim and I knew - I cannot begin to describe the tears of joy on the sisters (and spouses) as one at a time they were surprised. I would like to post the videos of the reunion but I think that they are a bit personal. But believe me when I say that God's love and joy has been wrapped all around our family this past week.

I was reading this morning from Job 1. If you have been through some real challenges in life I encourage you to read this chapter. I cannot even begin to imagine my heart bearing what Job's heart had to bear. Listen how quickly this all came to him. "A messanger came to Job and said, 'The oxen were plowing and the donkey's were grazing nearby and the Sabeans attacked and carried them off. They put the servants to the sword, and I am the only one who has escaped to tell you.' Check out his next line. "While he was still speaking, another messanger came and said, 'The fire of God fell from the sky and burned up the sheep and the servants..." and again, right away..."While he was still speaking, another messanger came and said. '...and swept down on your camels and carried them off and they put the servants to the sword..." and again..."While he was still speaking, yet another messenger came and said, 'Your sons and daughters were feasting and drinking wine at the oldest brother's house, when suddently a mighty wind swept in from the desert and struck the four corners of the house. It collapsed on them and they are dead..."

I cannot even begin to imagine what his heart was going through. While one messenger was speaking another one comes with more devestating news. One after another. Seems like at this point I would wish I could die too. Seems like I would be unable to breath. Yet Job's response is nothing like that. "At this, Job got up and tore his robe and shaved his head. Then he fell to the ground in worship and said: "Naked I came from my mother's womb, and naked I will depart. The LORD gave and the LORD has taken away; may the name of the LORD be praised."

Can you imagine this? I look at this past week and the crazy joy and the overflowing love that I have for my family and I cannot imagine them all being taken away from me. Would I bow down and worship God? It is time again to pray this through. Time again to press deeper into him because it is his face that I want to seek and I don't want anything else in my life to get in the way of that. How easily we can slip away into finding our identity in this world, in our family, in our job...etc. Our identity should be in Christ and him alone.

I face a new chapter in my life for sure. I don't know what God has in store for me yet but he does have a plan. Three of my girls now have Godly men to take care of them. I feel so blessed! I commend them all now to the care of the Lord. A beautiful example from my in-laws. I look at the wonderful blessing of my family and I can only feel humbled that God has allowed me to be their mother. I am so grateful to our heavenly Father for his goodness.

No matter where you are in your life, from a time when you may feel desperate like Job or to joyous times, just worship Jesus. Thank him for everything. Just pour out worship to him. There is not much that I can bring to Jesus. Usually I come empty handed but he fills them. Our family will face challenges in their lives, this I know - but with Jesus at the center they will walk through the challenges and come out on the other side victors in Christ. Bring all that you are to Jesus. As one youth speaker said recently "Jesus isn't mad at you he is madly in love with you."