This last weekend JP, Julie, and JoAnne stayed with us. They came for Charlie’s (Julie’s brother) memorial service. The occasion was sad. However, because he turned to King Jesus at the end of his life we could rejoice and pray that God could use this for His glory. In all of it, babies are such a blessing. We have a few babies in the house every now and then. But to have a baby in the house for a whole weekend is a treat for everyone! I have loved seeing how tender all of my kids are with a baby. They just love, love, and love some more. They will do anything to make her smile. They will perform or make any face possible to make her laugh. They hide and pop out from behind their hands to make her laugh. It makes my heart so happy to see them loving on someone so little. They helped me to see the simple joy of new life.
JP was always right there with them, enjoying his sweet daughter too.
The joy of new life. It is so precious. Over the past few weeks I had been preparing to teach a lesson at youth group from a section in Romans 8. I didn’t know at the time, but it tied in so well to what was happening around me. I was so blessed by thinking about so many of the things Paul mentions in 8:18-30. The main part being that we can endure hard things in this life because they are nothing compared to the glory that will come. We can endure because of the new life ahead of us. It talks about creation groaning in birth pangs, waiting expectantly for the children of God to be revealed in glory. All the pain we experience in life are like birth pangs for those who love and follow Jesus. Each day is one day closer to our new life with Him. As I reflected on watching Charlie slip from this life to the next I could rest in the fact that he was not experiencing death pangs, rather birth pangs into his new life. I wish I had been able to tell that to our sweet Amy a few years ago when she was in such great pain. Knowing and remembering the life to come can help us through the pain, just like in childbirth. The excitement of new life. I see it fresh in the eyes of my kids as they play with and enjoy this sweet baby. I can’t imagine the welcome we will receive when we get to be with Jesus. I feel like I’m rambling. It has been a few years, four to be exact, since I have written on the blog. I have just had a desire to write a little the past few days. God is working in my heart and giving me such a joy and excitement for what He is doing all around me I need to get it out! I want to remember it. I don’t want to waste anything. I want my kids to be able to see the ways they encouraged me and grew my faith. Even in the hard, they cause me to rely on Him even more. I know I can do nothing on my own, and only by His grace can I serve and follow Him. I can’t wait for the new life ahead, but I don't want to waste the moments to grow now. The goal: to know Christ and make Him known, and help others to do the same….
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