Shane and I have had an extremely rough year. From my own personal health issues and surgery, job loss, a car accident (very minor), a kitchen fire, bedrest, fighting with the IRS, heart defects, hospital stays, and lack of finances, we have been through it all. You name it, we have probably been through it at some point.
While our journey has not been easy, and we have had to rely on our friends and family to help us survive most of it, we have always known that there is a reason for our sufferings. There is a reason that God has allowed us to go through what we have gone through.
I was reading 2 Corinthians today and came across chapter 1 verses 3-7. I've read this before, but today it stuck out to me.
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves have received from God. For just as the sufferings of Christ flow over into our lives, so also through Christ our comfort overflows. If we are distressed, it is for your comfort and salvation; if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which produces in you patient endurance of the same sufferings we suffer. And our hope for you is firm, because we know that just as you share in our sufferings, so also you share in our comfort." 2 Corinthians 1:3-7
As I thought about these verses I started to feel a small tug on my heart. I'm not sure what that tug is, but I know God is working. My heart has been broken for other families dealing with Congenital Heart Defects. My heart also aches for those who are struggling financially, spiritually, and emotionally. I feel God working in ways that are going to change lives. I'm not sure what He's got in store, but I feel like He is slowly making a way for me to help others through the tough times in their lives by bringing Hope, Joy, and Love that can only come from Above.
I'm not sure if this is just reaffirming my passion to serve my community through my church or other local organizations, or if I am supposed to start something new. It may even include sharing our story in an even bigger way that I expect. I'm not sure what God is telling me yet, but I do know that God is whispering to me, and I'm waiting for His leading, direction, and vision.
6 comments:
Hello Jill,
I ran into your site from Amy Schroeder's blog and thought I'd give you a shout. I just realized that you just gave birth not too long ago. I'm so sorry to hear that you had a hard pregnancy and sad to hear that the heartbreak is not completely over yet. I feel your pain! My son was also HLHS and ended up having a heart transplant. Although, he is underdeveloped, he is doing well and finally thriving. I am adding you to the blogs I read so that I can keep track of your cute little Joshua. Just letting you know that your family is in my prayers. Heart Hugs!
Jessica Lopez
www.isaacsheart.blogspot.com
Jill;
Just relax, be a momma, and let that "still, small voice" speak to you. You may not even realize tha you have found your answer until you are actually doing it. I started Funky Heart just to put a few things on paper, so to speak. I never thought ANYONE would be interested.
Steve
Jill-
I know exactly how you feel, for I've felt the same way. I started making Care Notebooks to give to parents with ill babies, and I make extra efforts with my clients whose babies have special needs. I don't know what I'm supposed to do with this new-found desire, but I know if I wait upon the Lord He will make it known to me.
-Diana
First of all please assure Mason and his family that they are in our prayers just as Joshua and all of you are. And, yes, God has a plan for you just as He always does. I am not sure what it is either but He will let you know when the time is right. God's timing. Isn't it wonderful! Oh, and give my little Popeye a kiss.
Don't you love it when God whispers your name? He has big plans for you and Joshua! It's an honor to watch you (albeit via internet) grow into such a strong Christ follower! You are an inspiration.
Shannan
Proud mommy to Jamie Davis (PA/IVS)
www.carepages.com/carepages/InHisHands
I can't WAIT to see what will happen!!
One of my favorite passages is John 9:1-3
" As he went along, he saw a man blind from birth. His disciples asked him, "Rabbi, who sinned, this man or his parents, that he was born blind?" "Neither this man nor his parents sinned," said Jesus, "but this happened so that the work of God might be displayed in his life.""
And so it is with your struggles and with Joshua.
Kind of exciting...!
Post a Comment