I was talking with a friend tonight. About our passions. Our purpose. Joy.
She asked this question, "do you know where I want to be"? And she answered it by quoting Job 13:15. "Though He slay me, yet I will trust in Him."
Tears are streaming down my face. No matter what...I WILL trust in Him. All of life can be turned upside down. We can lose everything and everyone. But He is still trustworthy.
I am so glad to be where I am today. The illness has been awful. The divorce left me reeling with feelings of rejection. My life has been riddled with loss. It's been full, yet empty. Does that even make sense?
But I know my Savior. He is bringing more beauty into my life from these ashes than I could ever have hoped or dreamed. What I thought was going to happen - it pales in comparison to what God is doing. I could not have imagined that my life would intersect with people all over the globe. How would I know that the loss I suffered would help heal someone else's pain. Who would believe that 18 months trapped at home would prove to be the most freeing time of my life.
Only God! May He find me saying "Though He slay me, yet I will trust in Him".
(thank you, Julie!)
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
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23 comments:
reminds me of my young jewish friends who before being thrown into the fiery furnace declared: "our God is able to save us, but even if He does not..."
i want to live with (and from) that kind of faith.
YOU both are tough ladies and I benefit from your example.
ToOdLeS.
amen, sister.
Amen... our purpose - joy!!! ... and trust! He is so worthy of it all!!!
Blessings... praying for you.
C.C.
I think that the most freedom is found when we come to believe this one verse. Amen. I am right there with you.
Amen, Amen, and Amen!
Reminds me of that song my MercyMe, Bring the Rain. It says,
"Bring me joy, bring me peace
Bring the chance to be free
Bring me anything that brings You glory
And I know there'll be days
When this life brings me pain
But if that's what it takes to praise You
Jesus, bring the rain"
Beautiful post, Sheryl. I love it...though he slay me...
Erin
You amaze me, Sheryl. I have so very far to go, but you are teaching me so much. I also have to confess that as much as that is my heart's desire, I had some fear sharing it because I don't know what Him slaying me might look like.
Julie
God is SO GOOD. There have been so many times where I just KNOW I should even be functioning...yet, there I go...going about my day...doing what I need to do...maybe a bit robotic...but DOING it. And knowing, the whole time, that His HAND is holding me and guiding me and holding me up. Helping me stand. Helping me stay steady. Comforting me...encouraging me...not letting me fall. He's SUCH a good father...
thank you for including me on your journey. You are doing a good job...xoxoxo
Wow, I saw your first comment, and that is exactly what I was going to say. My friend and I were just talking about the 3 and the fiery furnace just the other day.
God is God and that's all we need.
It makes far more sense than you may realize. What doesn't make sense - at least to an unbelieving world - is that anyone could find such beauty in so difficult a circumstance.
He that is in you is greater than he that is in the world, and that's for certain!
Hugs,
Kathleen
Amen! Sheryl, you're are an inspiration to me and your words always encourage my heart!
He is Faithful!!
Sweet Blessings!
Jackie
I've been pondering similar thoughts, Sheryl. I asked myself if I could would I take away my world being rocked and my heart destroyed? I cannot say that I would want to take that away b/c if I did then I wouldn't have want I have now with Jesus. Yet, I would graciously accept Jesus restoring parts of my life.
Oh, my, I can hardly believe that it has been over a month since you left a note for me. Where has the time gone? You had written such a sweet note and I truly appreciated it. You also asked for my email address:
It is:
csmcfatter@aol.com
I am also on face book under Shirley Pardue McFatter.
In fact, I got interested in FB and that is one of the big reasons that I am not on the blogs very much.
It's interesting that the first sentence in your post was about "our purpose. Joy." In my journal I had written that I wanted to start each day of this last month of Dec with something about Joy! What I wrote yesterday was JOY to the world. . the Lord has come! Haven't written todays.
Sheryl, you write a wonderful blog. You really do!
I thought of something as I read your post. I heard someone say, "Where is the place of your deepest hurt? That is where God wants to use you." Certainly makes sense.
There have been several people that have lost a child after we lost our son Don. All I needed to do was take their hand in mine, look into their eyes and say, "I understand." They knew that I really did. It's only those things that we experience that we can truly understand the pain of others.
Better go for now. . . love, mary
Oh Sheryl... "such a short time, such a long road"... and look how far God has taken you. I am so proud of you.
Yes, I can certainly relate to that kind of faith, to that scripture, to being the Sword of God, and it is a breathtaking journey. I wouldn't trade my hardships for anything... He has blessed me beyond measure through my experiences.
Only God -- indeed.
Amen! I know you have had a difficult time. But know that you truly are an inspiration. Thank you for sharing your walk with us.
Oh how I wish to be there. There seems to be a whole lot of slaying lately, and too little faith.
My trust in all things has worn down to the tiniest thread right now. I know it should be different, but I can't seem to crawl my way out.
This too shall pass, I hope.
You are such an encouragement to me! I love that you are standing firm and choosing to grow closer to God through struggles instead of turning your back on Him because of them. He is so good! You are in my prayers!
Robin
Amazing words and such a hard concept to grasp. I so want to be able to say that...but I'm not there yet. Still dealing with trust issues, I guess.
Why do you always make me cry?? Seriously...so good. I want that too. Even if everything isn't perfect and life sucks sometimes... I never want my faith to waver because He is my God, my daddy and I know HE loves me regardless of my circumstances.
Hi Sheryl, as always I am so blessed by your thoughts,Yes! God is bringing Beauty, from the ashes. What a wonderful God we serve.I too am amazed at how God has brought so many of us, His children together, to help each other, by relating, and encouraging, not to mention praying for one another. You certainly have been such a blessing to me, and i am so thankful that God allowed our paths to cross, and that we are able to sit and talk. I think of you so often and pray for you.
I too am also amazed at how He takes the pain in our life and uses it to heal others. Oh! my What an AWESOME GOD! and when we see what He has done then our pain seems to lesson somewhat.
No matter what please let me encourage you to continue to share what the Holy Spirit puts upon your heart, as you never know who will come by at just the right time, and how much it is needed in their life for that moment.
Thank you so much for your concern ,and for your prayers.
Blessings and Hugs,
Sue
Just found your blog - I loved your current entry
The Lord is my strength and my shield; My heart trusted in Him, and I am helped" Psalm 28:7
Isn't it so easy to feel defeated? I love that verse Sheryl. Praying for ya. Love you and see you soon!
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