Naptime and goodbyes...
It's nearly 4
pm and here I am, quietly tucked in my room, hiding out on a comfy chair,
having sleep fluttering around in my brain but somehow refusing to obey its
clarion call to relax and renew. I just
can't let go all the way so this will be a short little post to share a few
verses of Scripture that have taken on a new meaning for us as we heard them
softly and gently shared with us last evening.
It's amazing how those verses have been there all along and yet take on
new meaning and deeper meaning as this journey continues onward. I hope that these words may take a root in my
soul and mind to encourage, to strengthen, to provide comfort.
7 But we
have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is
from God and not from us. 8 We are hard pressed on every side, but
not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; 9 persecuted, but not abandoned;
struck down, but not destroyed. 10 We always carry around in our
body the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may also be revealed in our
body. 11 For we who are alive are always being given over to death
for Jesus’ sake, so that his life may also be revealed in our mortal body. 12
So then, death is at work in us, but life is at work in you.
13 It is
written: “I believed; therefore I have spoken.” Since we have that same spirit
of faith, we also believe and therefore speak,14 because we know
that the one who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will also raise us with
Jesus and present us with you to himself.15 All this is for your
benefit, so that the grace that is reaching more and more people may cause
thanksgiving to overflow to the glory of God.
16
Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet
inwardly we are being renewed day by day. 17 For our light and
momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs
them all. 18 So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is
unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.
(2 Corinthians 4:7-18)
Such a rich
image - treasure in jars of clay - a reminder of the breakableness, the
fragility, the impermanence of the life that is ours to lead. God is working in me, in my body which is
weakening daily - the muscles in my legs are waning, despite exercises to
fight against this, arms are not as
strong to be able to dry my hair and reach for my baby and to lift my children
close to my heart for cuddles, and yet... we do our best each day to pray for
strength, for mobility. I love the
contrast of verse 11 and 12 - that death is at work in me - which it is and
life is at work in you - praying that the Lord's work may continue in my
family, in my friends, in my church community which have been surrounding us
with love and life. The card that
brought the words most close to me today was about coming home - that in time,
very soon perhaps, I will be called home, an eternal home, a final resting
place and that is a bittersweet thing - I long to be here and stay with my
family and friends but know it is a far better thing for me to be in heaven,
away from the cares and toils of cancer and the fighting against flesh that is
no longer strong or whole or dependable.
And we fix our eyes on what is not seen....and we wait for an eternal
glory that outweighs them all....how can that be? That there is a better life beyond this? We marvel at the incredulousness of this and
yet, there is a trust, that God will never give a promise of something that is
greater than we could ask or imagine without that being such a true and sure
thing. And so that is where my trust
will continue to be, longing for that faith that a child displays - that when
we say heaven is beautiful, that is true.
And when we say that God loves us so deeply that we will be with him in
that heaven and that Mommy won't have to be sick anymore and Mommy won't suffer
or be sad and that we will see each other again when we die, all that is true
and trustworthy because we have a good and awesome God. And yet those goodbyes, those final hugs,
final snapshots, final words are so so difficult... how do we say those
goodbyes in hope? In the sure knowledge
that we will see each other again? I
pray for that to be true, that I will see my dear friends and family again in
the new heavens and earth - that we will know each other yet in a different way
and that we will indeed have no more tears or sorrow. So we say, not goodbye, but maybe a see you
later...
(((hugs))) and tears. D
ReplyDeleteWe are praying for your family in these hard times.
ReplyDeletehttps://youtu.be/lPT_Lh3c4ik
ReplyDeleteDanielle, My thoughts and prayers are continually with you and you family. I stood before my church congregation last Sunday and shared your story. Our pastor then stood beside me and, as a congregation, we prayed for all of you. (And I can't forget Lisa Z. . . . we mentioned her family in prayer, as well.) My heart aches for you, for your husband and your babies. I am forever amazed how you are able to share such encouraging words in the midst of your circumstances. You are sharing such a testimony through this blog and it, many times, has challenged me to find joy in all things. Take care, my friend! I wish and pray for peace for you and your family this evening.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for sharing Danielle, brings me to tears the path that has been set before you but I pray for strength for you as you walk it together with your loved ones and with God wrapping you all in His loving arms.
ReplyDeleteHow beautifully written. Thank you for sharing this text and sharing what is on your heart. We continue to pray for you and Timothy and your girls. We pray that you may have minimal pain, that you and Timothy may be at peace and free from anxiety. May you feel the loving arms of our heavenly Father surround you and may you find comfort in the promises we have in Christ.
ReplyDeleteDanielle, your testimony has been such an encouragement to us. My husband was reading your blog over my shoulder the other day, and could only say, "Wow". May God continue to give you courage to face each day with His strength. We pray for you often. With love from Mexico, Anne-Marie Van Dyken (Van Popta) and Matt and children.
ReplyDeleteDear Danielle. It is so bitter & sweet to read your blog posts. Thanks especially for sharing this one! Amazed at God's grace for giving you the faith you need at this hour. Also Praying for your family. That they may take comfort from your obvious faith and so they may be confident of where you are headed. It was great to get to know you in 2003/04 it was a wonderful year for me filled with many memories. Thanks for being part of it!
ReplyDeleteI look forward to meeting you again in a far better place with no more tears, sickness, sorrow or sin! May God be with you until this time!