AHHHH! Where's my blog? I'm just kidding! I am happy to be a guest blogger over at my friend Beth's blog "Our Typical Life." So, if you want to keep up on the life and times of the McCains. Come on over and read!
.
Friday, October 29, 2010
Tuesday, October 12, 2010
The wonderful healing power of God, and his tool, time...
An interesting thing happened to me the other day. I was on Facebook, and I read a status from a friend. It was casual, not life altering in anyway, and I commented, along with many other people, in an equally casual way. About 5 seconds later the most freeing, and quite life altering thought came to me: I'm not mad any more.
You see, this particular person, several years ago, hurt me so deeply, so intensely, and offended me on such a level, that I really, honestly, thought I would never be able to think about this person without rage overtaking me ever again. But, it happened. I'm not mad anymore, and it feels GGGGRRRRRREEEAAT! (in my best Tony the Tiger voice, of course!)I don't know exactly when it happened, but God has healed this wound, over time.
Whilst (yes, whilst) thinking about this, it occurred to me that God has completely healed another wound in my life. When Karis was born 2 1/2 years ago, her diagnosis crushed me to my core. I remember sitting in Red Robin with Tim while she was in the hospital, and weeping. I thought we would never again be able to sit in Red Robin, or any other public place, and just be the anonymous American family. We would always be "that family," receiving stares and making others uncomfortable. That just isn't true, I know that now. But at the time, I was devastated. However, now, 2 1/2 years later, I delight in my daughter, not despite her disability, but because of all that she is. Having Down Syndrome is part of that. I am so excited to see what God will do in her life, and what ministry opportunites will be opened to Tim and I, because we have now been down this road. After all, one can not lead someone out of the desert unless he has been there himself. I am so overjoyed to have her in my life. Did anything change? No. But, God healed that wound, over time. He has truely turned my mourning in dancing.
Psalm 30:11
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy (NLT)
What has occurred to me, while pondering these two things, is that life is not a snapshot. (I actually stole that phrase from a song because it so accurately states my point, and if I could think of what the song is, I would post it, but I can't!) Life is not a snapshot. Life is not defined by what you see right now. God is always working, and it time you will see the bigger picture of what he is doing. God heals wounds, calms storms, does miracles, and changes us over time.
Some things devastate us because they are permanent. A diagnosis, death, a tragic event, things that can't be changed (unless God does the impossible!) It can often seem as though our life is now defined by that one thing, but God is still working, and in time, how you feel about a certain situation may, and probably will change. Now don't get me wrong. You'll never be happy that a loved one died, etc. But what will happen is, in time, God will grant you peace. God will help you forgive. God will help you move on to a place of joy, not devastation, not anger, not rage, not sorrow. Life is not a snap shot, give it time.
The only reason I am writing this, is that I know someone needs to hear it. Including me.
Here I am, in a similar situation, at odds with someone, and it rips me apart. (Haven't we all been there, even pastor's wives!!!) As hard as I try to give it over to God, that's so hard to do. But, I know in time that God will heal us both. The previous two situations show me that He will. Thank you God, I praise You for that!
Are you in the desert right now too, even in just one area of your life? Give it time. Life is not a snapshot. Things will not always be as they are.
This was a hard one for me to write. Deep Breath. One.. Two.. Three.. POST!
Share the love, leave me a comment!
You see, this particular person, several years ago, hurt me so deeply, so intensely, and offended me on such a level, that I really, honestly, thought I would never be able to think about this person without rage overtaking me ever again. But, it happened. I'm not mad anymore, and it feels GGGGRRRRRREEEAAT! (in my best Tony the Tiger voice, of course!)I don't know exactly when it happened, but God has healed this wound, over time.
Whilst (yes, whilst) thinking about this, it occurred to me that God has completely healed another wound in my life. When Karis was born 2 1/2 years ago, her diagnosis crushed me to my core. I remember sitting in Red Robin with Tim while she was in the hospital, and weeping. I thought we would never again be able to sit in Red Robin, or any other public place, and just be the anonymous American family. We would always be "that family," receiving stares and making others uncomfortable. That just isn't true, I know that now. But at the time, I was devastated. However, now, 2 1/2 years later, I delight in my daughter, not despite her disability, but because of all that she is. Having Down Syndrome is part of that. I am so excited to see what God will do in her life, and what ministry opportunites will be opened to Tim and I, because we have now been down this road. After all, one can not lead someone out of the desert unless he has been there himself. I am so overjoyed to have her in my life. Did anything change? No. But, God healed that wound, over time. He has truely turned my mourning in dancing.
Psalm 30:11
You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing. You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy (NLT)
What has occurred to me, while pondering these two things, is that life is not a snapshot. (I actually stole that phrase from a song because it so accurately states my point, and if I could think of what the song is, I would post it, but I can't!) Life is not a snapshot. Life is not defined by what you see right now. God is always working, and it time you will see the bigger picture of what he is doing. God heals wounds, calms storms, does miracles, and changes us over time.
Some things devastate us because they are permanent. A diagnosis, death, a tragic event, things that can't be changed (unless God does the impossible!) It can often seem as though our life is now defined by that one thing, but God is still working, and in time, how you feel about a certain situation may, and probably will change. Now don't get me wrong. You'll never be happy that a loved one died, etc. But what will happen is, in time, God will grant you peace. God will help you forgive. God will help you move on to a place of joy, not devastation, not anger, not rage, not sorrow. Life is not a snap shot, give it time.
The only reason I am writing this, is that I know someone needs to hear it. Including me.
Here I am, in a similar situation, at odds with someone, and it rips me apart. (Haven't we all been there, even pastor's wives!!!) As hard as I try to give it over to God, that's so hard to do. But, I know in time that God will heal us both. The previous two situations show me that He will. Thank you God, I praise You for that!
Are you in the desert right now too, even in just one area of your life? Give it time. Life is not a snapshot. Things will not always be as they are.
This was a hard one for me to write. Deep Breath. One.. Two.. Three.. POST!
Share the love, leave me a comment!
Tuesday, October 5, 2010
Coffee talk: adoption and tutus!
Well, this morning I am sipping my coffee, and putting off so many things that I need to do, because I am waiting to watch a live web cast from the White House on the adoption tax credit. There is a lady that I know, only through facebook, that is speaking (click HERE to see the webcast). Her name is Bethany Balsis, and her daughter Nika, was adopted through Reece's Rainbow. Nika has Down Syndrome, and is one of the most beautiful little girls in the world! You can read more about that family here.
I am so glad that our government is taking steps to make adoption more affordable for every family. Adoption is so important! And, of course, my heart bleeds for the adoption of orphans with Down Syndrome. In the US, the abortion rate for babies that have been prenatally diagnosed with Down Syndrome is somewhere around 92%. Let that sink in...... Only about 8% of the beautiful children with Down Syndrome even get the chance to live life.
Wow....
The statistic is not as high in other countries, but the fear and rejection are the same. Many children with DS end up living in orphanages until they are 4 years old. Then, at that young age, they are sent away to live out the rest of their lives in a mental institution. They often only live a few more years. The ministry of Reece's Rainbow, exists to help families adopt these precious children.
I have told you all about Reece's Rainbow in previous posts, but if you want more information visit them at www.reecesrainbow.com .
What can you do to help? You could adopt! Things like the adoption tax credit (currently $13,170) and ministries like Reece's Rainbow, really help lower the cost. Not for you? You could donate to Reece's Rainbow! Today I have another suggestion for you!
My good friend Erin Buche (an old college buddy!), who also has a heart for Reece's Rainbow, is selling homemade tutus to raise money for the cause.
Just in time for Halloween (if you hurry!)!!!!
Aren't these CUTE!!!! You can pick your own colors. You know you need one! The cost is $20, plus $5 shipping, and remember, all the money she makes, after materials, is going to Reece's Rainbow.
Click here to get one now!
Or Here!
.
I am so glad that our government is taking steps to make adoption more affordable for every family. Adoption is so important! And, of course, my heart bleeds for the adoption of orphans with Down Syndrome. In the US, the abortion rate for babies that have been prenatally diagnosed with Down Syndrome is somewhere around 92%. Let that sink in...... Only about 8% of the beautiful children with Down Syndrome even get the chance to live life.
Wow....
The statistic is not as high in other countries, but the fear and rejection are the same. Many children with DS end up living in orphanages until they are 4 years old. Then, at that young age, they are sent away to live out the rest of their lives in a mental institution. They often only live a few more years. The ministry of Reece's Rainbow, exists to help families adopt these precious children.
I have told you all about Reece's Rainbow in previous posts, but if you want more information visit them at www.reecesrainbow.com .
What can you do to help? You could adopt! Things like the adoption tax credit (currently $13,170) and ministries like Reece's Rainbow, really help lower the cost. Not for you? You could donate to Reece's Rainbow! Today I have another suggestion for you!
My good friend Erin Buche (an old college buddy!), who also has a heart for Reece's Rainbow, is selling homemade tutus to raise money for the cause.
Just in time for Halloween (if you hurry!)!!!!
Aren't these CUTE!!!! You can pick your own colors. You know you need one! The cost is $20, plus $5 shipping, and remember, all the money she makes, after materials, is going to Reece's Rainbow.
Click here to get one now!
Or Here!
.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)