"How DO You Say Good-bye?"

As I thought about this Blog I realized there could be multiple titles regarding it...."When Is It Time To Say Good-Bye?" "Saying Good-byes Are Never Easy" "Good-byes Can Hurt!" and the list goes on....

But before you close this Blog and say "this is just going to be a sad, sad story and I don't need sadness in my life today." give it a chance. For there may be hope in it as well. :)

This past Friday, August 2, my husband and I had to make a very hard decision. It seemingly had come time to put our sweet and oldest dog to sleep. That decision is never easy. There was not only concern for our dog, Jenna, and the pain she was so sweetly and pathetically suffering through, but also for our "children". Our concerns were brought to God with much prayer.

As I titled this Blog, I knew this picture would go perfectly with it. For in this picture it reveals one very broken-hearted girl grieving at the up and coming loss of her faithful and beloved pet.  

From this picture, I believe it symbolizes that even animals can feel our sorrow. Although, yes our other dog, Lacie, loves to be petted....it's as if she feels Heather's sadness as well.

How DO  you say Good-Bye?

I believe people have many ways. Some choose to avoid the situation and remember the loved one in the happier times and some choose to be there by their side through it all. Each is good and well and that person should be left knowing they have made the right choice. Let me say here....I fully know that the passing of a pet holds very little measure to the passing of a loved person, but each is sentimental and emotionally ..... well..... tough. I will also insert here that I never knew just how tough it was until I was placed in that situation myself. For all readers, that have been faced with this dilemma, or even your pets passing on their own....my heart goes out to you.  In all my years, I have never been faced with death in such a real manner.

Over 13 years ago, in January of 2000, Jenna came into our lives. She would be 14 years old this Decemeber...or 98 freakin years in human terms! Our kids wanted a pet and Heather's friend had a neighbor that just happened to be selling Golden Retriever puppies....thus began the days of Jenna. She was the perfect puppy - cute, cuddly, O-so-sweet, and beautiful too....of course! I remember that we had to keep her in the front yard for what seemed forever. We had a stray dog come into our yard before the "days of Jenna" and we attempted to keep it. Turns out....puppy dog came with the dreaded PARVO sickness and we had puppy put to sleep. We didn't stay for that one...no attachments made. So, as you know....when Parvo is involved it contaminates ANYWHERE the dog may have been....which happened to be.....yes....our backyard. It was a matter of months before it was safe to put Jenna back there. We must have kept her in the garage at night and tied her to a lawn chair, in the grass, by day to provide some shade. Below is a first picture we took of her at age 3 months. We had traveled with her to visit my parents in Dallas. She was A D O R A B LE!

Jenna was always a wonderful dog and you really could not ask for any better. She was tender and sweet, caring and loving, patient and tolerant. She loved people, as often G.R.'s do and it was always evident in her gentle wag. On a sad thought....that tail had lost it's wag and excitement in these last months. She was always a model patient at the vet's office and no matter the procedure she would simply tolerate it with her gentleness.

Jenna, not quite 3 years old, and my Levi, 6 years old.

September 29, 2002

Jenna, 5 years old, and my Levi, 8 years old.

July 13, 2004

I love this picture!

 We had forgotten just how dark and beautiful she was until looking back at this.

The day had came that we decided Jenna "needed" a playmate in her world. That word "needed" is used more of an overstatement on her part. We were the ones "needing" a playmate for Jenna so as to not feel badly for our lack of playing with her ourselves. Sorry Jenna girl.



And so enters Jenna's world...and ours....Lacie-Loo.

July 13, 2004

David and I had been to Petco recently and as always I loved to look at all the animals there on adoption day. There was a gorgeous black Lab there named Charlie. I kept being drawn back to him over and over. David really liked him alot too. But as always and in most things in life, my wise David said "If he's there when we come back...we'll know he was ours to get." As you can see....he wasn't there....sadly. It was just me and the kids that day, when I went back, and somehow they convinced Mom that we couldn't let this sweet little dog NOT go home with us! I am a softie...at times. Surprise, Jenna!! :)

We thought Lacie was going to be a relatively small dog with short hair. BOY was we ever wrong! She got fatter and fatter and her hair grew thicker and THICKER. She became a lion - - or maybe just the Chow in her was awakening! Lacie was obviously a very abused dog as a small puppy....she had many fears. But her fur was/is ridiculous! We were told when she was found that she was completely bald all over. Whomever took her in must have confused her for a duck with fur. They not only replaced all her missing fur with a new coat, but they also put duck down in it too! That dog is the hardest to get wet and stay wet!! Never seen anything like it before!! Lacie loved Jenna from the start and was never without her for any large amount of time. Jenna, on the other hand, tolerated Lacie as any good natured dog would.

July 13, 2004

Somewhere along the way they became...Lacie-Loo and Jenna-Too.

Big smiles!! :))



Our shaved lion-dog.

And then one day.....Jenna got old.

And older......

Lacie just kept growing more fur........

and older still.

We would begin giving her Glucosamine pills along with aspirin each day. Without them she would have days where she could not get up at all. Her hips were wearing out on her. In time, she was also diagnosed with Cancer in one of her back legs. She would loose 17 1/2 pounds in this last year. She also began to get enormous fatty tumors throughout different parts of her body. They were hideous looking they were so big! Her eyes had cataracts and her ears and hearing were questionable. The old gal was simply withering away, but she always had love and gentleness for us no matter how much pain she was in. 

It appears she is still trying to give us a smile here.

These last two pictures was a day we thought she was going to leave us.

But amazingly...she would bounce back and once again go on living.

I know....you're probably wondering where is the hope I spoke of earlier in this story?? Just stay with me a little bit longer.

Down the road in time, I noticed that she was coming out of her pen looking stiffer than usual. I watched her, wondering does this mean the pills are no longer helping? And then this past Thursday, she began swaying and falling alot more than usual. She seemed to not want to put weight on her front left leg. Wonderful...now the poor dog has only 1 good working leg. David and I gave her a bath that day. She was laying fully spread out, on her right side, on the concrete. Pretty pathetic looking too. We tried to get her up and to change sides....wasn't happening. So, David rolled her gently from the right side to the left side. I felt like I saw something pop when he did. That night her walk was not good at all. When looking at her left leg it was as if her shoulder had sunk in and was gone. We thought it must be out of place and dislocated....possibly from David rolling her over. At that time, we knew we had to make the decision to go to the Vet and have her put to sleep. But we would wait until morning to do so. Now was the decision of whether to call our kids home and have them upset all night long. After praying together, we chose to wait til morning.

Friday morning, August 2, came and this is how she ate her breakfast. Never before had she had to eat like in this position.

As pathetic as she was....she still found one last smile for us. :)

And then....it was time to tell our kids.

That, in and of itself, was very hard. They knew she was old....they knew she wouldn't live forever. But, they had no clue it would be today. Heather came over first. She was here while David made the call to the Vet. She wanted to go with us, but this would not be. For the Vet would tell us the only appt available wouldn't be until 4:15 that day. Wow..... do they have any clue what it's like to know you're putting your beloved pet to sleep that day and being told to wait that long is like?? And as well the fact of poor Jenna in being such pain and discomfort?? But God knew. And so we waited. God was good to us all in our time of waiting....for Jenna, although in considerable pain most likely, was able to get up and walk on her own at times, as well as rest, and wait with us all. I had called Savannah and told her, but she chose to not come over for fear of not wanting to see her in her present condition. I assured her that was fine. She would however call me later telling me through alot of tears that she couldn't stay at work and had to come home. She didn't know we hadn't put Jenna to sleep yet and so I told her to come over and that it would be fine. She too would come and share her heart wrenching pain with Jenna. She did it alone. Only Jenna and her. And then....she was gone. That hurt, but it was the way she wanted it, and I gave it to her. Next, would be our son, Levi, who would show up around about the time David and I were leaving for lunch. And now I have a third child to "help" ease through this transition. <Deep breath>.....but alas this child was not as nearly upset as his two sisters were. He appeared to be more distracted by his car that we have been having so much trouble with lately. I knew then that he would be ok and we left for lunch. He would tell me later that he had went and spent a few quiet moments with Jenna before he left for work. That was good.

Once we returned from lunch and shopping (to distract us and make time go faster)....David began to dig the grave. Jenna would walk up and watch him. David would then say "Jenna, I hope you don't know what I'm doing." How sad it was to see that happen. He dug a very nice grave and it was no simple hole dug in the ground, but rather a very squared hole just about 4 feet down. He placed her bed in the bottom of it. He worked so very hard on it....so hard that he may have come very close to heat exhaustion! He couldn't catch his breath, he was sweating bucket loads, and his face was O so red. Thankfully, God took care of him!

While David dug....I laid in the grass with the dogs and took pictures......

Our two old ladies.....forever together.

Lacie is also a crippled dog. She has torn an ACL something or other, in one back leg, and a genetic defect, in both back legs, that has only worsened with time due to her age and her weight. She has been dealing with excessive hot spots all over her body and allergies. <Shaking my head> poor old dogs.

And finally.....it was time.

We loaded Jenna up in my Jeep. As we did, I heard Lacie let out a cry. David and I wondered if she knew that would be the last time she would see her faithful friend. David carried Jenna in his arms into the Vet's office and carried her once again to the room. Jenna was fragile, big, and awkward, but he did it with love for her.

Waiting for the doctor.

We asked the doctor if we possibly had caused this most previous situation with Jenna by rolling her over on the concrete. She assured us that had it been the reason, we could have never done that to a healthy dog....therefore saying Jenna was very fragile and it wasn't us to feel badly over. She never questioned us on our decision and agreed that it was time. The doctor explained that the most pain she would feel was a simple prick of the needle. This would be a shot to relax her, calm her....two things she basically always has been. It was her "I don't care" shot and "I'm going to sleep now." That's exactly what she did....little by little she would relax and drift farther into sleep.

Goodnight, sweet girl......

 I cried silent tears stroking her head.

David and the doctor then picked her up from the ground and placed her on the counter. The next process would begin. She shaved  a place on her leg for an IV to go into. It was then explained that this would make her heart stop beating. As the IV meds went in, I once again was stroking her head, tears dripping slowly down my face, and I told her what a good girl she was. The doctor would wait......giving the meds time to work. Jenna's body ever so slightly jolted, but I don't believe it was from any pain....just the body responding. The doctor would check her and tell us "Her breathing has stopped, but her heart is still going." And we would wait..... She was checked again and the heart was still beating although slow and weak. The doctor decided more meds were needed. As she was checked one last time....the reply to us was "Ok...it's stopped." And the final nod was given from her to us. Such a final thing......

We were told that the body could be prepared to take home out of our room or that it could be done in the room with us. I chose to have it done in our room with us. She wasn't quite sure I knew what I was deciding, but I did. I wanted to be a part of it all. No matter how hard it would be......

And so it was that we brought our sweet Jenna back home to be placed in her pen where her and Lacie had spent so many days together. David had mentioned did I want a special song played while we buried her. That's when I got the wonderful idea to get my phone and play Pandora on it. It was such a God thing too! For it could not have been a better song! Chris August sings a song called "Center of It" and he would sing

"In the dark, in the light
In the morning and night
In the good, in the hurt
In the places I hide
When I rise, when I fall
You'll be there through it all
At the start, at the end
In the center of the center of it."

And as David and I both would bury our Jenna we knew that he was there in the center of it all ....in the dark, in the light, in the morning and night, in the good, in the hurt. And this my friend is where the hope comes into view in my story. For through all the waiting, the pain, the tears, the un-knowing, the decisions, even through one child separating herself from us.....it ALL was in the hands of a loving Father. A Father who felt our grief, shared our tears, eased the suffering, gave strength, led us in our decisions, and was our sincere peace in the time of need.

 In Psalm 34:18 it shares that "The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit." In Hebrews 13:5 it encourages us to know that "Never will I leave you; never will I forsake you." In 2 Timothy 4:17 it strengthens us to know that "But the Lord stood at my side and gave me strength...."

Friend, know that God is there with YOU also in your time of making painful decisions, facing the un-known, feeling your pain, waiting with you, understanding you, and helping you through it all . It's his promise to us as his children. Trust him today. Rely on him today. Wait on him today. And rest in him today.

I share with you the beautiful grave my sweet husband worked so hard on. He gave it his all. We do hope to get a name plate placed on it as well.

And then....there was Lacie.

She receives more attention and love than ever before! Gotta love her.



I leave with you a special verse that has great meaning to me.

Psalm 13:6 "I will sing to the Lord, for he has been good to me." Couldn't say it any better if I tried. :)

And one last beautiful picture......

We love you Jenna......

"The Little Girl on the Bicycle"



David and I often ride bikes. In fact, we choose to ride bikes wherever we go rather than riding in the car when possible. We both enjoy the exercise, being active together, and enjoy being outdooors. I admire his willingness to hop on his bike, after a long day at work, and go for a ride with me. :)

The other day, as we were riding, a little girl appeared in front of us. I didn't see from what direction she came. . . it was just as if she showed up. As we followed her, I noticed how young she was and how, in this day and time, it seemed odd that she would seemingly be so far from home without an adult close by. She pedaled on crossing a couple of busy neighborhood streets. She wasn't on a leasurily kid-ride, but pedaled with great intent, stopping only once to grab a precious souvenir (a feathery stalk from a flowering plant). She was off once again with great determination to reach her desired destination. We continued to follow her. We usually have no problem passing others on bikes, or people walking - this girl was pedaling! Watching this little girl brought back memories for me in a sweet and tender way. I too was once that little girl pedaling hard and with great purpose. She reminded me of being O so young and on my own each day. For back LONG ago, starting around the age of 6 or 7, I would ride my bike over a mile each way to school. Heck the way I went could've been 2 miles each way! I am so thankful that my Mother had the faith to let me have that freedom at such an early age. For in this day I don't believe many Mothers would. As some say, "things were different back in the day". I doubt that, for evil and bad have always been. . . they just weren't talked about and made public as they are today. I can remember crossing very BUSY streets for someone so small. I remember the "scary streets" too that you didn't just pedal casually on, but rather stood up on the pedals and gave it all you had! As I look back, I am amazed and all the while thankful for both a Mother willing to give her child an early independence AND for my God who was with me to watch over me....every pedal of the way.

As we followed on, my phone distracted me from my thoughts of long ago. We stopped only briefly to check the distraction. As we started back on our way, I noticed the little girl was no longer in front of us. I pedaled on a little faster to search where she may have gone. I could see for quite a ways up ahead....nothing. I could see to the left where the streets intersected.....nothing. It was as if she simply vanished....gone just like that. We do entertain "angels unaware" as the Bible says! I believe it whole heartedly too!! Maybe she was the little angel that would remind me how that God has been with me all along....never leaving nor forsaking me....even in my worst times....even in my times of doubt....even in my good times....always with me. Or maybe she was the little girl that God himself would call me to pray for. That is exactly what I did as I rode. I prayed for her safety and protection, for her to know she is loved, for her to make wise decisions for all the days that lay ahead, and most of all - for her to know the Lord as her Savior. I have prayed since then when God brings her to my mind. I pray with great emphasis that God leads and protects her with all the many choices that lie ahead of her. How awesome would it be to know that a stranger {a kind unknown person} would take the time to stop and pray for your very child?! I would absolutely LOVE to know that there are people praying for my children that I don't even know!!

Regardless of the many questions there may have been as to why this child would appear such as she did and then be gone just like that ( I do tend to have an analytical mind sometimes ha!). I find these things to be certain and true::
1. God has been with me always and never leaves me. Just as He was with her. He crossed the "busy streets" of life with me and He even carried me through the "scary streets". He isn't just with me in those times but also in the "happy times" of enjoying life as David and I do together.
2. Jesus prays for me. Even when no one else is praying for me I know that He is. No one may have thought that day to stop and say a prayer for this little girl, but Jesus was and He even invited me to join along with Him in it.
3. We can trust God to get us to our desired safe haven for He alone is trustworthy. Just as He took this little one safely to her destination....back to Heaven or to her house! :)

Friend, know that YOU too can have those assurances!

For if you too have asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior of your heart then He assures you that YES He is with you today....tomorrow.....and always {He was even with you yesterday too!} You are never ever alone. If you are in times of doubt, pain, hardships, trials do NOT ever give up on Him. For He alone is supremely trustworthy and will carry you to your safe haven. He not only will help you, but He IS helping you even now. Sometimes we just need to give Him more time and space....and wait. But never quit trusting....NEVER. If you are having a hard time doing so then tell God and ask Him to be the trust that you need. He understands. Afterall...who knows us better than the very One Who created us?!

Also, know that Jesus does pray for you to God the Father. When it seems no one else knows and no one else cares....He does. And He lives to intercede for YOU. John 17:9 "I pray for them. I am not praying for the world, but for those you have given me, for they are yours." God intercedes for us in our weakness for us personally. Romans 8:26-27 "In the same way the Spirit helps us in our weakness. We do not know what we ought to pray for, but the Spirit himself intercedes for us with groans that words cannot express. And he who searches our hearts knows the mind of the Spirit, because the Spirit intercedes for the saints in accordance with God's will." How empowering to know that Jesus the Holy Spirit prays for us in our weakest moments!!

And lastly....God will take you safely to your safe haven. Psalm 107:28-30 "Then they cried out to the Lord in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress. He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed. They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven." We can be confident in Him because of Isaiah 46: 4 "Even to your old age and gray hairs I am he, I am he who will sustain you. I have made you and I will carry you; I will sustain you and I will rescue you."

I leave you with this: 2 Timothy 4:18 "The Lord will rescue me from every evil attack and will bring me safely to his heavenly kingdom. To him be glory for ever and ever. Amen."

Friend....He is with you....pedaling through life's journey WITH you. Never give up trusting in Him alone.

"Have YOU Been Adopted?"

There is a sweet couple in our church who has just adopted a son from China. I would love to show you his sweet little face, but I've not asked their permission to do so....so I won't. They are writing a Blog throughout their journey and adventures of being in China as well as welcoming a new life into their hearts and home. I have to say that I've literally fallen in love with this family through these writings! My husband and I know them through church as well as volunteering at our church mission. But, there's just something real and special when you are welcomed into their own personal world through their writings. I hope that many of you, who may read the Blogs I share, will have that same sense of being drawn closer to me in knowing that I am real and I am human....making me a real human. :-) Although, I may not be the most outgoing person in the face to face world.....I give you my heart and soul in my writing.

Enough about me.....

This couple knew from the beginning that they were being led by God Himself when they began this process. As with any adoption, I'm sure there were times of feeling anxious and overwhelmed by it all. But, when they saw their son's face, in person, for the very first time.....I'm almost sure that the sheer joy and blessing of that very moment made them realize - - God is AWESOME and it all was worth it!! I love it how that very day they titled it "Gotcha Day!" They had one full day with this precious child, sent from God, and then they were given the decision as to whether or not to keep him as their own. They did not decline, and officially and lovingly received this sweet little boy into their hearts and family!

And now?
Now comes the FUN stuff. . . Life, living, adjusting, accepting. . . all done with a heart of thankfulness to a God who knew....who cared......and who loved. I have encouraged this couple to continue on with their Blogging of their many wonderful stories. And I'm looking forward to each and everyone of them too!!

Some may wonder why did you title this Blog "Have YOU Been Adopted?"
I hope it did make you wonder. :-)
For this entire story is also very symbolic of what God Himself has done for you - child of God!
Or it is very symbolic of what God Himself can DO for you - child without God!

You see....we were ALL once (and some may still be) an orphan! We all know that the very word "orphan" brings sad thoughts to our minds - - for it is one in need of someone to love them, to provide for them, and to take care of them. And that's where our Heavenly Father - The One and Only True and Living God Almighty steps in and says "I love YOU, I have provided for YOU, and I want to take care of YOU."

Friend, know that God Himself knows all about you, for he created you, and still loves you with an everlasting love. Just as this sweet couple has heard of the difficulties and hardships this little boy has lived in his short life - they too love him with an everlasting - love - no matter what!
Second, He has provided for you a salvation, that none other can provide, through his Son Jesus Himself in paying all of the debts we ourself owe. Just as this little boy had no way to pay his way into the hearts and home of a loving family, therefore relying on the grace and love of two people to pay it for him. (Kinda the same thinking in a way anyways). 
And lastly, God does care and he cares in such ways that continue to amaze and astonish us daily! I'm betting this little one, when old enough, will look back and be amazed and astonished at the genuine care and well being that they have given him.....simply because they loved HIM.

Friend, YOU may be an orphan today and not even know it. Or maybe you are aware and are in great need of someone to love you, provide for you, and care for you as only our Heavenly Father can. Know, today, this very thing. . . God has chosen YOU to be HIS child both now and forever and always. How do I know that? Because God says he wants no one to perish, but everyone to come to repentance. 2 Peter 3:9. He also has provided for YOU, as stated above through his Son Jesus paying our full debt, that we owe ourselves, for our sins. And in that knowledge of our sins, God has provided a way unto him...the only way and no other way. And today, you can receive this way and be welcomed into the eternal family of God as an adopted child!

What must I do then?
It's as simple and easy as A, B, C!! Nothing more and nothing less!!
A= Accept that you are a sinner in need of a Saviour!
B= Believe in your heart that God has raised him from the dead!
C= Confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and call upon Him as your Lord and Savior to save YOU!

Romans 10:9-10 - "That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved."

THAT'S IT!!!!

Galatians 4: 4-7 - "But when the fulness of the time was come, God sent forth his Son, made of a woman, made under the law, to redeem them that were under the law, that we might receive the adoption of sons. And because ye are sons, God hath sent forth the Spirit of his Son into your hearts, crying, Abba Father. Wherefore thou art no more a servant, but a son; and if a son, then an heir of God through Christ."

Friend, he chose you, he redeems you, and he makes you his adopted and forever child of God!!!

So....again, I will ask - - Have YOU been adopted?
If you haven't......what better time than TODAY to become adopted!
Say YES to the BEST!!!

"Dear, How Long Is This Going To Take?"

My sweet husband is redoing a bathroom.
Nothing really spectacular about that for a story now is there? Although, I do think he IS spectacular and doing a wonderful job!

This particular bathroom has taken him at least 2 months to give his labor of love on. And shall I say....the work continues. In the beginning dear husband thought this project would take no more than 2 weekends to complete - - little did he know.

Carry on dear, for there really is light at the end of the tunnel!!

As I watch him work diligently on each project through completion, I think of God and how he works in our lives. We are individually each a project of God. Each area is a unique work of God. We trust him to form us into the very man/woman of God he has chosen us to be. With that said, there are times that God decides to take his time in the molding process. Instead of a short 2 weekend project, it becomes a lengthier one.

There are many areas of life that God is shaping daily. Our faith, our trust, our hope, our character, our obedience.....and the list goes on. In some areas he works quickly. In others, painfully slooow. But his timing is perfect always. There are times that we call upon God for healing from grief, loss, pain, discouragement and his answer is - wait on me, trust in me, hope in me. "Wait on the Lord; be strong and take heart and wait for the Lord." Ps. 27:14. "Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding." Proverbs 3:5. "Those who hope in me will not be dissappointed." Isaiah 49:23c.

Maybe you have prayed for your children to have their eyes opened, their hearts softened, their wills brought into submission of living for him. And it may seem the more you pray, the further they drift out into this world. Does it hurt? You BETCHA! Is it discouraging? Absolutely! Does that mean you give up on God answering your prayers and delivering them? Ten million times over - a strong and absolute.....NO! what it does mean is that we keep on believing God's Word; never being moved away from it by what you see or feel. And as you stand firm, God's power is being developed in you. The fact of looking at your prayers and knowing this is God's will for your children's lives, and being unmoved by what you see or do NOT see- makes you stronger in every sense of the word.

I know that - "Deliverance comes from the Lord." Ps 3:8. I know that - "He rescues and he saves." Daniel 6:27. And I also know that - God uses his power to change the areas in my children's lives, and my own, that desperately need his touch. "Ah Sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outsretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." Jeremiah 32:17. I know that - God's timing is perfect and lacking nothing. Think of Abraham and Sarah who were promised a son. God required a whole 25 years to pass before that promise was fulfilled!! "And so after waiting patiently, Abraham received what was promised." Hebrews 7:15.

And so my friend....whatever you are waiting on God for in your life - deliverance, hope, answers, strength, know that God hears, God sees, God knows. His answers will come in HIS timing. For we serve a faithful and trustworthy Lord God Almighty.

And just as I wait patiently on my loving husband to finish up what he has started.....I wait on a loving Father who will finish what he has started as well! "He who began a good work in you (or your children) will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus." Philippians 1:6.

"Hey Did You Know?!"

Hey did you know that God is a God who sympathizes and identifies with our weaknesses and suffering? In Hebrews 4:15 it lets us know that. "For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are, yet was without sin."

God really made this verse stand out to me yesterday as our pastor shared the real meaning of what it's saying. I am no pastor, but I will try to put into words what I learned through this message. . .

When we hear this verse it can almost seem cold in a way. . . as if God is seated on his mighty throne in Heaven looking down us with our pain, sickness, struggles and says "You poor thing. I see you from way up here and you look miserable. That's a pity. Not sure what it's like, but I will say a prayer for you."
But that's not it at all!

God came to earth as Jesus himself and has lived YOUR life. Some may say well he's never been married to my spouse or had my children to deal with. . . and this list could go on. And although those could be true statements, that hasn't stopped him from having every single feeling you have, every single thought you have, every single challenge, every struggle, every fear, every doubt, and even faced the same temptations you have. He lived through it ALL as a human here on earth.  He knows. He is not some distant God who is unable to identify with all that we have ever been through and will go through. Let me say it again. . .He has lived YOUR life.

God not only knows, but he even gets in our weakness with us when we are experiencing the pain, suffering and struggles of it! He feels it with us and doesn't just leave us on our own to figure it all out! How amazing is it that we know he doesn't just know. . . but he feels it along with us?! He feels sadness, pain, fear, lonliness, rejection, worry right along with us.

The second part of the verse "but we have one who has been tempted in every way just as we are, yet was without sin." lets us know this >> God has lived our life and he aced it! When he walked here on earth and was faced with all matters of fears, doubts, worry, struggles, challenges - he made the right decisions. He made the right choice, took the right path, chose the way that led to righteous living, freedom. And as the verse said he was without sin - he led a sinless life.

So in understanding all of this we see that: 1. God sees our struggles. 2. God came to earth and lived your/my life....feeling every pain, sorrow, doubt, fear, worry. 3. God gets in our struggles with us NOW. 4. In living and knowing, all the while living a sinless life,  he is able to navigate us through them and out of them!

God gets you and me, my friend. He understands. He isn't someone removed from knowing all the pains and struggles of our life here on earth. Trust him to navigate you daily through this journey of life. Draw near to him. If it has been awhile since you have, it's never too late to do so. If you have made wrong choices in life, God was/is with you in those times and he can and will lead you out of them. No life is ever too wrong, too distant, too messed up to turn to God and tell him "I messed up. I need your help."

O and an add on here: God not only shares and feels our pains and weaknesses, but he also shares and feels our JOY, our VICTORY, our HAPPINESS, our FREEDOM right along with us as well!! So rejoice in and with him today!

Thank him for not only knowing, but leading us through too!! :)