I'm aware that the last post was rather depressing and melancholy, so I've decided to write about more uplifting topics today.
Over the past couple months or so, I'm happy to tell you that we have a new brother and sister in Christ. I was filled with so much joy to the point of tears on both accounts. The sister is a former Mormon who had been having spiritual discussions with two co-workers at Chick-fil-A. The brother is a young man who grew up in my home church (First Baptist of Delphi) and had strayed somewhat from his upbringing during college. I've seen so much growth and fruit from this young man in the few weeks I've been back in Indiana. It fills me with tremendous joy.
I was (finally) able to visit a very old friend (pretty much like a sister to me) last week and her family. Her youngest son was born pre-maturely, but now he is a happy, strong little boy. Did I mention he's very inquisitive and loves to take books off of shelves to look at them? We must have a future scholar on our hands, er, laps. ;)
A number of couples are anticipating the birth of their first-born children. One of the ladies was a dear friend of mine in high school and I'm excited that she gets to step into this next step of her life. Two couples I know are not married. I'm comforted to know that God can redeem any situation and that babies born in even the worst of circumstances still bring Him joy and glory. Their conception may have been an 'accident' in our eyes, but they are formed by God. He was not surprised at the result in the pregnancy test. He doesn't think this is a catastrophe.
My allergies are much better today. My eyes weren't sore and raw like they have been for days. Nobody today has asked me if I'm tired or been crying about something. Allergies go, but chronic pain stays. A woman who is almost like my second mother experiences a level six pain on a day to day basis.
God is sovereign and gives us grace to endure what is beyond our control. The bad things, the hard things, the things that break you're heart are not God's weakness being revealed, but our weakness recognizing God's strength.
"7 But we have this treasure in jars of clay, to show that the surpassing power belongs to God and not to us. 8 We are afflicted in every way, but not crushed; perplexed, but not driven to despair; 9 persecuted, but not forsaken; struck down, but not destroyed;" --- 2 Corinthians 4:7-9
God has the victory. We may be near insanity or despair, but we if we have Christ, we have the ultimate victory. It's hard times that make the deliverance significant.
"11 For we who live are always being given over to death for Jesus' sake, so that the life of Jesus also may be manifested in our mortal flesh." --- 2 Corinthians 4:11
Our suffering identifies us with Christ. That is an honor and a joy.
