So, I'll leave this blog here on the bloggysphere as an archive, but won't post again ... at least, not in the foreseeable future. If anyone stumbles upon it, I hope and pray it will be a blessing!
Sunday, August 24, 2008
So Long, Farewell ...
After a wonderful year of blogging, I think the time to stop blogging has come. It's sad, saying goodbye to an activity I've enjoyed so much - and through which I've learned so much and made some dear, sweet bloggy friends. I'm just not keeping up with life ... and blogging is one more thing to try and do every day. I've thought and prayed about this - and talked with my parents - and there are things I know God wants me to do with my life. Although blogging is fun and does real good, it's not something God specifically wants me to do with my life. I know other girls have voiced a specific call from God to blog ... and that's truly right and wonderful. But that's not me ...
So, I'll leave this blog here on the bloggysphere as an archive, but won't post again ... at least, not in the foreseeable future. If anyone stumbles upon it, I hope and pray it will be a blessing!
So, I'll leave this blog here on the bloggysphere as an archive, but won't post again ... at least, not in the foreseeable future. If anyone stumbles upon it, I hope and pray it will be a blessing!
Sunday, June 15, 2008
My 24th Birthday - Time to Move On
Today it's one who year since I created my blog and wrote my first post!
Also ... it's my twenty fourth birthday! I'm in a curious limbo between hardly noticing I'm officially a year older and hardly believing I'm really twenty four years old! But ... oh well ... honestly, being twenty four does not (yet!) feel the tiniest little bit different from being twenty three ...
However, being twenty four makes me think it's time for a change ... time to move on. Honestly, can I write a blog called "Twenty Three and Soaring" when I'm twenty four? I've thought of keeping the name and updating my profile information ... changing the name to "Twenty Four and Soaring" ... or changing the name to something totally different.
But none of those options feels "right."
I like my blog. But I think I've outgrown it. So I'm moving on. On out of blog-o-land? I've considered it, but I think I'll miss blogging. No ... I'm not moving on out of blog-o-land ... not yet, anyway! But I'm thinking ...
A big "thank you" to everyone who's read my blog and walked the last year with me through my posts! It's been such a fun and exciting adventure, blogging and making bloggy friends! You can't imagine how privileged I feel, to know that many people read my posts and that some people are encouraged. That's awesome to know, it really is. Thank you so much, dear people who read my blog!
Since it's my birthday, how about ... letting me know who you are and what your favourite book is? That would be fun! (But no pressure if you'd rather stay anonymous. That's fine!) Otherwise ... to start you off ... hello! My name in Elizabeth and my favourite book it (at the moment!) "When God Writes Your Life Story" by Eric and Leslie Ludy. And you are ... ?
Also ... it's my twenty fourth birthday! I'm in a curious limbo between hardly noticing I'm officially a year older and hardly believing I'm really twenty four years old! But ... oh well ... honestly, being twenty four does not (yet!) feel the tiniest little bit different from being twenty three ...
However, being twenty four makes me think it's time for a change ... time to move on. Honestly, can I write a blog called "Twenty Three and Soaring" when I'm twenty four? I've thought of keeping the name and updating my profile information ... changing the name to "Twenty Four and Soaring" ... or changing the name to something totally different.
But none of those options feels "right."
I like my blog. But I think I've outgrown it. So I'm moving on. On out of blog-o-land? I've considered it, but I think I'll miss blogging. No ... I'm not moving on out of blog-o-land ... not yet, anyway! But I'm thinking ...
A big "thank you" to everyone who's read my blog and walked the last year with me through my posts! It's been such a fun and exciting adventure, blogging and making bloggy friends! You can't imagine how privileged I feel, to know that many people read my posts and that some people are encouraged. That's awesome to know, it really is. Thank you so much, dear people who read my blog!
Since it's my birthday, how about ... letting me know who you are and what your favourite book is? That would be fun! (But no pressure if you'd rather stay anonymous. That's fine!) Otherwise ... to start you off ... hello! My name in Elizabeth and my favourite book it (at the moment!) "When God Writes Your Life Story" by Eric and Leslie Ludy. And you are ... ?
Author Meme!
Mandy tagged me for this meme (anyone more blog-o-literate know what that means?!?) about authors - how fun!
Who is your all-time favorite author and why?
Who is your all-time favorite author and why?
I have so many favourite authors! But my all-time favourite authoress is probably Jane Austen. I think ... yes, definitely!
Who was your first favorite author and why? Do you still consider him/her to be among your favorites?
Laura Ingalls Wilder! The "Little House" books are the first books I remember reading all on my own, one after the other ... and I was given the whole set by my family for my birthday after I read them, so that makes them special, too! Laura Ingalls Wilder is still one of my favourite authoresses, but I don't read the "Little House" books so much now ...
Who is the most recent addition to your list of favorite authors, and why?
Eric and Lesie Ludy. They don't write fiction, so maybe they don't count ... but their enthusiasm for God and life is awesome and inspiring!
If someone asked you who your favorite authors were right now, which authors would first pop out of your mouth?
Jane Austen, Louisa May Alcott, L.M. Montgomery, Elizabeth George, Eric and Leslie Ludy ... these are the names that first pop into my head, although I know I have other favourite authors ...I Tag:
Rules:
- Link to the person that tagged you.
- Post the rules somewhere in your meme.
- Answer the questions.
- Tag people in your post.
- Let the tagees know they’ve been chosen by leaving a comment on their blog.
- Let the tagger know your entry is posted.
Thursday, June 12, 2008
A Mountain Climbing Kind of Girl
When my family and I went to Israel in December, we went to Masada ... a mountain beside the Dead Sea. It has a tumultuous history, but it was peaceful and beautiful when my family and I were there. To get to the top of Masada, you can ride in a cable car ... or climb The Snake Path.
I chose to climb The Snake Path. To be honest, I'm not a mountain climbing kind of girl. But I'd wanted to climb Masada for almost ten years and here was my opportunity, so I provided myself with water and chocolate chip cookies (essential for keeping up a climber's strength) and ... climbed. I took this picture at the beginning of the path up ...
To begin with, it was easy. When I was a little girl, I spent hours and hours climbing the hills and rocks around my grandmother's home. But after a while ... it was hot ... I was tired ... I wanted to stop and rest ... I thought I couldn't take one ... more ... step.
The climb stopped being fun.
It became a test of endurance.
The only way to get to the top of the mountain was to climb ... up ... one step, another step, one more step ... up ...
And ... eventually ... I got to the top. I didn't look great. But I felt wonderful! The sense of achievement and satisfaction was indescribable - I had climbed Masada ... I had accomplished a ten year old goal ... I had "conquered" the mountain. And the view from the top was awesome ... breathtaking ... indescribable!
Later, I climbed - walked, ran, jumped! - down the mountain. Before shopping into the visitor's center and running to catch the bus (which was late, so we had to wait anyway!), I took this picture - of Masada, the mountain, "my" mountain! I've climbed it and the climb changed me ... into a mountain climbing kind of girl?
Yesterday, I was thinking ... there is a "mountain" in my life at the moment. This "mountain" is comprised of challenges and difficulties and things God is trying to teach me. Probably, when I get to the top, I'll find the climb has changed me.
But at the moment it's not fun.
It's a test of endurance.
I'm tired ... I want to stop and rest ... I think I can't take one ... more ... step.
Does this sound ... um ... familiar?
When I climbed Masada, the only way to the top was up. As I climb the "mountain" of challenges and difficulties in my life, the only way to the top is ... up. It doesn't matter whether I'm a mountain climbing kind of girl or not! I need to keep climbing ... up ... one step, another step, one more step ... up ...
I know that ... but yesterday I was tired and stressed and I told God, "I can't do this ... and I don't want to do this ... please, don't make me do this!"
And then I thought of Masada - which, although I'm not a mountain climbing kind of girl, I climbed. I thought I couldn't do it - but I did it. I got to the top.
It was as if God smiled and reassured my heart, whispering, "Yes, you can do this! Come on ... and just trust Me. Remember, you can do this ... you can climb mountains!"
I'm not climbing the "mountain" alone ... I'm following my Jesus ... up ... one step, another step, one more step ... up ...
And He says, "Yes, you can do this!"
I believe I'll get to the top of the "mountain." The feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction will be cool. The view will be out of this world. But the knowledge that my Jesus knew I could do it and helped me to do it ... that will be the greatest and sweetest thing.
And maybe ... just maybe ... it will turn me into a mountain climbing kind of girl.
I chose to climb The Snake Path. To be honest, I'm not a mountain climbing kind of girl. But I'd wanted to climb Masada for almost ten years and here was my opportunity, so I provided myself with water and chocolate chip cookies (essential for keeping up a climber's strength) and ... climbed. I took this picture at the beginning of the path up ...
To begin with, it was easy. When I was a little girl, I spent hours and hours climbing the hills and rocks around my grandmother's home. But after a while ... it was hot ... I was tired ... I wanted to stop and rest ... I thought I couldn't take one ... more ... step.
The climb stopped being fun.
It became a test of endurance.
The only way to get to the top of the mountain was to climb ... up ... one step, another step, one more step ... up ...
And ... eventually ... I got to the top. I didn't look great. But I felt wonderful! The sense of achievement and satisfaction was indescribable - I had climbed Masada ... I had accomplished a ten year old goal ... I had "conquered" the mountain. And the view from the top was awesome ... breathtaking ... indescribable!
Later, I climbed - walked, ran, jumped! - down the mountain. Before shopping into the visitor's center and running to catch the bus (which was late, so we had to wait anyway!), I took this picture - of Masada, the mountain, "my" mountain! I've climbed it and the climb changed me ... into a mountain climbing kind of girl?
Yesterday, I was thinking ... there is a "mountain" in my life at the moment. This "mountain" is comprised of challenges and difficulties and things God is trying to teach me. Probably, when I get to the top, I'll find the climb has changed me.
But at the moment it's not fun.
It's a test of endurance.
I'm tired ... I want to stop and rest ... I think I can't take one ... more ... step.
Does this sound ... um ... familiar?
When I climbed Masada, the only way to the top was up. As I climb the "mountain" of challenges and difficulties in my life, the only way to the top is ... up. It doesn't matter whether I'm a mountain climbing kind of girl or not! I need to keep climbing ... up ... one step, another step, one more step ... up ...
I know that ... but yesterday I was tired and stressed and I told God, "I can't do this ... and I don't want to do this ... please, don't make me do this!"
And then I thought of Masada - which, although I'm not a mountain climbing kind of girl, I climbed. I thought I couldn't do it - but I did it. I got to the top.
It was as if God smiled and reassured my heart, whispering, "Yes, you can do this! Come on ... and just trust Me. Remember, you can do this ... you can climb mountains!"
I'm not climbing the "mountain" alone ... I'm following my Jesus ... up ... one step, another step, one more step ... up ...
And He says, "Yes, you can do this!"
I believe I'll get to the top of the "mountain." The feeling of accomplishment and satisfaction will be cool. The view will be out of this world. But the knowledge that my Jesus knew I could do it and helped me to do it ... that will be the greatest and sweetest thing.
And maybe ... just maybe ... it will turn me into a mountain climbing kind of girl.
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
The Simple Woman's Daybook
This lovely idea is from The Simple Woman ...
Today ~ Wednesday, June 11th 2008
Today ~ Wednesday, June 11th 2008Outside my window ... I can see a beautiful blue summer sky! White clouds are scudding across it and leafy green trees are waving against it. It's a beautiful day!
I am thinking ... that I probably should stop blogging and start working.
I am thankful for ... my family. Every moment I have with my parents and siblings is precious. It's so easy to want more ... more friends and more fun. But My family is awesome and I treasure every moment with them ... talking, laughing, enjoying being us!
From the kitchen ... hmm ... not sure yet!
I am creating ... a legacy. There's no such thing as a life that doesn't touch and change other lives. I may not think I've accomplished much in 24 years, but my life has touched and changed other lives. Day by day, I'm creating a legacy ... my life. Um ... less profoundly (!), I'm still working on a crocheted afghan for a friend.
I am going ... to learn how to play the guitar.
I am wearing ... a long-sleeved pink t-shirt (rolled up to just below the elbows, because it's quite warm today) with a jumper - yellow with pink and blue flowers and green leaves. My hair is loose at the moment, because it's in a bad mood and won't look pretty!
I am reading ... 'Out of Control and Loving It' by Lisa Bevere and 'A Promise is Forever' by Robin Jones Gunn. The first book is great ... very challenging and encouraging. I'm finding it so, anyway. The second book is sweet. Really, it deserves a post of its own ...
I am hoping ... that one day I'll be the woman God created me to be
I am hearing ... 'This Moment,' by Steven Curtis Chapman, one of my siblings running up and down stairs (for a good reason, I'm guessing!), a guy mowing some grass across the street.
Around the house ... everything is more or less neat and tidy, for a homeschooling family! There are school textbooks all over the dining room table, which I love! I'm an enthusiastic homeschool graduate, so there's something about school textbooks and supplies scattered around a home that really thrills my heart.
One of my favorite things ... homemade chocolate chip cookies warm from the over ...
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ...
Working on my latest writing project
Writing to friends
Looking forward to my birthday
Planning a dinner party (this totally inspired me ... !)
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you ... summer in my bedroom! I adore sweetpeas ...
I am thinking ... that I probably should stop blogging and start working.
I am thankful for ... my family. Every moment I have with my parents and siblings is precious. It's so easy to want more ... more friends and more fun. But My family is awesome and I treasure every moment with them ... talking, laughing, enjoying being us!
From the kitchen ... hmm ... not sure yet!
I am creating ... a legacy. There's no such thing as a life that doesn't touch and change other lives. I may not think I've accomplished much in 24 years, but my life has touched and changed other lives. Day by day, I'm creating a legacy ... my life. Um ... less profoundly (!), I'm still working on a crocheted afghan for a friend.
I am going ... to learn how to play the guitar.
I am wearing ... a long-sleeved pink t-shirt (rolled up to just below the elbows, because it's quite warm today) with a jumper - yellow with pink and blue flowers and green leaves. My hair is loose at the moment, because it's in a bad mood and won't look pretty!
I am reading ... 'Out of Control and Loving It' by Lisa Bevere and 'A Promise is Forever' by Robin Jones Gunn. The first book is great ... very challenging and encouraging. I'm finding it so, anyway. The second book is sweet. Really, it deserves a post of its own ...
I am hoping ... that one day I'll be the woman God created me to be
I am hearing ... 'This Moment,' by Steven Curtis Chapman, one of my siblings running up and down stairs (for a good reason, I'm guessing!), a guy mowing some grass across the street.
Around the house ... everything is more or less neat and tidy, for a homeschooling family! There are school textbooks all over the dining room table, which I love! I'm an enthusiastic homeschool graduate, so there's something about school textbooks and supplies scattered around a home that really thrills my heart.
One of my favorite things ... homemade chocolate chip cookies warm from the over ...
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week ...
Working on my latest writing project
Writing to friends
Looking forward to my birthday
Planning a dinner party (this totally inspired me ... !)
Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you ... summer in my bedroom! I adore sweetpeas ...
Friday, June 6, 2008
Life is Full of Beauty - Salisbusy Cathedral, England
In a world that is full of so much that is not beautiful, a camera is a blessing because it enables one to capture beauty, keep beauty and enjoy beauty over and over again. Of course, a camera can only capture visual beauty and it can only capture visual beauty in a limited way. Nonetheless ... here are some pictures I took to capture a special kind of beauty at Salisbury Cathedral in England. I enjoy looking at the pictures and remembering the awesome beauty of the subject when it was before me and my camera ...
Salisbury Cathedral, with it's unique tower and spire!
This picture was taken under the West Window inside the cathedral. It looks down the length of the entire cathedral, to the Altar and East Window. It's impossible to truly capture the awesome and beautiful architecture ...
The soaring pillars and arches.
The vaulting roof.
And the Altar and East Window.
The West Window, under which I took a lot of pictures!
This picture is a favourite with me, it's so beautiful and peaceful. Taken within the cloisters, this is where people have quietly walked and talked for many hundreds of years. There's an amazing sense of serenity.
If you look out of the cloisters, into the cloister garth, this is what you'll see ...
And if you step into the cloister garth and look up, this is what you'll see! I love this picture ... looking up, up, up at the tower and spire, which are beautiful in their own right, but especially beautiful against a clear blue sky in the golden evening light. Imagine all the thousands of people during many hundreds of years who stood in the cloisters garth and looked up to see exactly this picture!
Salisbury Cathedral, with it's unique tower and spire!
This picture was taken under the West Window inside the cathedral. It looks down the length of the entire cathedral, to the Altar and East Window. It's impossible to truly capture the awesome and beautiful architecture ...
The soaring pillars and arches.
The vaulting roof.
And the Altar and East Window.
The West Window, under which I took a lot of pictures!
This picture is a favourite with me, it's so beautiful and peaceful. Taken within the cloisters, this is where people have quietly walked and talked for many hundreds of years. There's an amazing sense of serenity.
If you look out of the cloisters, into the cloister garth, this is what you'll see ...
And if you step into the cloister garth and look up, this is what you'll see! I love this picture ... looking up, up, up at the tower and spire, which are beautiful in their own right, but especially beautiful against a clear blue sky in the golden evening light. Imagine all the thousands of people during many hundreds of years who stood in the cloisters garth and looked up to see exactly this picture!Monday, June 2, 2008
The Simple Woman's Daybook
There's something I've been wanting to do for quite a little while, ever since I first saw it, while ... um ... blog-hopping! Hop over to The Simple Woman and see why I've been wanting to do this ...
Today ~ Monday, June 2nd 2008
Today ~ Monday, June 2nd 2008Outside My Window ... I can see the rustic red-tired and green-mossed roof of the lean-to where my family stores logs, the gray sky and the top of a green tree. It was raining earlier, which I thought very dismal in June, but it's stopped now. I know the rain was good for the lettuces and tomatoes, growing just round the corner, out of sight.
I am thinking ... how awesome and wonderful it is that God loves me and never gives up on me, even when I'm in a bad mood and give up on myself! (Um ... not that I've been in a bad mood or anything today ... !)
I am thankful for ... letters and emails from friends, who are so sweet and faithful in friendship.
From the kitchen ... a fresh green salad made with lettuces from my grandmother's garden. They smell and taste so wonderful and so much better than the ones from the store, especially with a little home-made salad dressing!
I am wearing ... pretty floral skit (because it's pretty and I like it and it's summer!) and a green army sweater from Israel (because it's chilly and I can't focus on work - or blogging - when I'm chilly). Also bright pink sparkly snowflake socks (because chilly toes are sad toes).
I am creating ... several things, I hope! I'm still working on my latest writing project (I'm taking a few moments from work to do this!) and I'm also working on a crocheted afghan for a friend - a wedding present!
I am going ... to work faster on my latest writing project and get it finished soon! Then (later, after work) I'm going to snuggle down with a cup of camomile tea and a cozy blanket and a book. Lov-er-ly.
I am reading ... mostly 'Little Women' and 'Good Wives' ... for, I think, the first time in ten years. I'm loving reading the books and "meeting" old friends again! Reading about the four March sisters again ... I'm surprised and amused to discover that Meg isn't as good as I remembered (I'm an eldest sister too and people often ask me, "Oh ... are you Meg ... the good, serious, motherly one?" Um ... !), Jo isn't as tom-boyish, Beth isn't as perfect (it could be worse ... if I was a third sister, I imagine people would ask me if I was "the perfect one" and that would be seriously worse!) and Amy isn't as annoying as I remembered. As for Marmee and Laurie and Mr Lawrence and John Brook ... no offense to the actors and actresses who portrayed them in the movie, Louisa May Alcott's creations are so much nicer than the movie's versions! I want to be like Marmee "someday" ...
I am hoping ... for an email from a friend. (And ... wow ... it just popped into my inbox! How lovely is that?!?)
I am hearing ... the birds singing (I guess they enjoyed the rain!), my siblings talking and laughing, my computer humming.
Around the house ... my siblings are working on school projects at the kitchen table, the ironing board (waiting for someone to do some ironing!) is standing in the dining room, my mother just flew in and out (she's planting gladioli bulbs in the garden while it's not raining) ...
One of my favorite things ... today? Reading the email from my friend, I guess! (Usually I have many favourite things, but I'm feeling very sleepy and correspondingly dull today!)
A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week:
Writing ... editing ... writing ...
Finishing 'Little Women' and 'Good Wives'
Baking a cake
Planning a celebration for/with my family
Borrowing my father's guitar and figuring out how to play some chords
Going for a long (probably muddy!) and satisfying walk
Writing ... editing ... writing ...
Finishing 'Little Women' and 'Good Wives'
Baking a cake
Planning a celebration for/with my family
Borrowing my father's guitar and figuring out how to play some chords
Going for a long (probably muddy!) and satisfying walk
Here is picture thought I am sharing ... spring flowers and spring sunshine!
Link: Beauty in the Mistakes
There's a beautiful article posted on The IDD Blog today ... can you see (and accept) "beauty in the mistakes"? Seeing (and accepting!) beauty in the mistakes I make is not something I'm typically very good at ... I prefer to aim for perfection and tend to agonise over everything but perfection! However ... being human and (moreover) making mistakes on a reasonably regular basis, the ability to see beauty - even embrace beauty - in the mistakes I make, in any and every area of life, is possibly an art I need to cultivate!
Thursday, May 29, 2008
Just Pray ... As Life Goes On
It was this time last week that I "accidentally" stumbled upon the tragic news about Steven Curtis Chapman's youngest daughter. I logged into one of my favourite "cosy" places online and there a friend had shared a link to the story. I don't know Steven Curtis Chapman personally (I mean ... I don't know him and he doesn't know I exist, but his music and lyrics fill my parents' kitchen for some time, six days out of seven!), but when I read the news ...
I felt devastated ... and then I felt overwhelmed by the reality that the devastation I felt on hearing of the death of a child I didn't know was nothing compared to the devastation the child's parents, siblings and friends must be experiencing.
Between this time last week and this time this week, lots of people have been praying for Steven Curtis Chapman and his family. I have been. And maybe some of you who read my blog have been. And ... you can read the story. You can share your condolences. You can join a Facebook group.
But ... ultimately ... life goes on.
So ... I guess I want to say ... keep praying for Steven Curtis Chapman and his family. For them, a new journey has only just begun. I believe that God, who knows the plans - "for good and not for evil" - He has for each member of the Chapman family in heaven and on earth, will be strong for the family and will walk with each of them every step of the way.
But ... speaking as one who has experienced grief (though nothing like the Chapman family is experiencing) ... it's hard when life goes on and everyone ... well ... sort of forgets. Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife and children need our prayers for as long as we can remember them and remember that life goes on, but broken hearts don't mend as fast as life goes on. And prayers help.
Can God support Steven Curtis Chapman and his family without my prayers ... without your prayers? Absolutely. But one of the many ways God may choose to support the Chapman family is through prayers. Prayers of people like me ... like you ... who don't know them, but share their faith in the God who "heals and rescues and restores" and care enough to remember them and ask Him to heal and rescue and restore their broken hearts.
While I was out and driving around in the van today, I was listening to Declaration ... comprised of songs that are so familiar - Live Out Loud, God is God, Magnificent Obsession and Carry You to Jesus. Remember the words?
There's more ... but this is the point: I can't "feel the pain" and "comprehend the hurt," but I can "carry [the Chapman family] to Jesus" ... to the One who can ... and does ... feel and comprehend. The One who will mend their broken hearts. The One who is, I am sure, longing to heal and rescue and restore.
Pray.
And while you pray for a family you don't know, remember to pray for the people you do know, who are brokenhearted and hurting ... even if you don't know all the details or understand all the pain.
Just pray ... as life goes on.
I felt devastated ... and then I felt overwhelmed by the reality that the devastation I felt on hearing of the death of a child I didn't know was nothing compared to the devastation the child's parents, siblings and friends must be experiencing.
Between this time last week and this time this week, lots of people have been praying for Steven Curtis Chapman and his family. I have been. And maybe some of you who read my blog have been. And ... you can read the story. You can share your condolences. You can join a Facebook group.
But ... ultimately ... life goes on.
So ... I guess I want to say ... keep praying for Steven Curtis Chapman and his family. For them, a new journey has only just begun. I believe that God, who knows the plans - "for good and not for evil" - He has for each member of the Chapman family in heaven and on earth, will be strong for the family and will walk with each of them every step of the way.
But ... speaking as one who has experienced grief (though nothing like the Chapman family is experiencing) ... it's hard when life goes on and everyone ... well ... sort of forgets. Steven Curtis Chapman and his wife and children need our prayers for as long as we can remember them and remember that life goes on, but broken hearts don't mend as fast as life goes on. And prayers help.
Can God support Steven Curtis Chapman and his family without my prayers ... without your prayers? Absolutely. But one of the many ways God may choose to support the Chapman family is through prayers. Prayers of people like me ... like you ... who don't know them, but share their faith in the God who "heals and rescues and restores" and care enough to remember them and ask Him to heal and rescue and restore their broken hearts.
While I was out and driving around in the van today, I was listening to Declaration ... comprised of songs that are so familiar - Live Out Loud, God is God, Magnificent Obsession and Carry You to Jesus. Remember the words?
I will not pretend to feel the pain you’re going through
I know I cannot comprehend the hurt you’ve known
And I used to think it mattered if I understood
But now I just don’t know
Well, I’ll admit sometimes I still wish I knew what to say
And I keep looking for a way to fix it all
But we know we’re at the mercy of God’s higher ways
And our ways are so small
But I will carry you to Jesus
He is everything you need
I will carry you to Jesus on my knees
I know I cannot comprehend the hurt you’ve known
And I used to think it mattered if I understood
But now I just don’t know
Well, I’ll admit sometimes I still wish I knew what to say
And I keep looking for a way to fix it all
But we know we’re at the mercy of God’s higher ways
And our ways are so small
But I will carry you to Jesus
He is everything you need
I will carry you to Jesus on my knees
There's more ... but this is the point: I can't "feel the pain" and "comprehend the hurt," but I can "carry [the Chapman family] to Jesus" ... to the One who can ... and does ... feel and comprehend. The One who will mend their broken hearts. The One who is, I am sure, longing to heal and rescue and restore.
Pray.
And while you pray for a family you don't know, remember to pray for the people you do know, who are brokenhearted and hurting ... even if you don't know all the details or understand all the pain.
Just pray ... as life goes on.
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