I just wanted to stop by during the day to wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving! Jim and I have a quiet day today, as we won’t be having the family in until Saturday for our celebration. One of my friends mentioned on her Facebook page this week, “Thanksgiving is fine, but thanksliving is even better!” This is so true. So even though I’m taking the time to tell you how thankful I am for you today, that statement is true every day, no matter if it is a holiday or not.
I have been writing my blog now for over two years. Often a blogger wonders if anything they write makes a difference. I appreciate hearing from each and every one of you that has responded to tell me how my words spoke into your life that week. My ministry has been one of encouragement, but even the encourager needs encouragement sometimes! I’m thankful for those who give feedback and kind words. Others have unhappily disagreed with my thoughts and challenged my stance causing me to dig deep to defend my thoughts and values. I thank them as they have helped me grow in my faith without even knowing it! There are times when I write what I think was an exceptional piece and never hear a word from anyone. I am even thankful for no response as it challenges me to look back–did I say what I needed to say? Did I miss the mark? At the end of the day, though, I need to just write and trust that God has it all under control. If I were writing for the applause of men, I would not have lasted this long. I do what I do for God and I am THANKFUL He has entrusted me to be His spokesperson. His inspiration will be what keeps me going.
As you know, 2013 has not been an easy year for us. We got the first call about my cancer diagnosis the day after Christmas last year and it has been an up and down kind of year since then. I am thankful for your prayers, concerns, notes, well-wishes, and even gifts in the past several months. My ministry title is, “I’m just trying to be a blessing.” You aren’t trying, you’ re the real thing! Thanks again for reading, encouraging, challenging and even in silence. I hope to be back real soon, full-force ahead with lots of encouragement, laughs and most of all…pointing your thoughts towards God! Happy Thanksgiving!
Philippians 1:3 (NIV) I thank my God every time I remember you.
I thought I’d share a blog my pastor wrote a couple of weeks ago. I’m sure he won’t mind. I have shared a little about Erik and Jessica on my Facebook. I thought some of you might be interested in hearing their story. Jim and I were there the night little Ella went to be with Jesus. It was one of the most difficult as well as beautiful experiences I’ve had. There was hope and peace in that room that night. How sweet it is to trust in Jesus! My prayer this week is for God’s Hand to continue to hold Erik and Jess as they move forward to another chapter of their lives.
I’ve been in pastoral ministry for over twenty-five years, and the most difficult experience I’ve had to help people through is the death of a child. Most of us cannot even conceive of the anguish of a parent who has had to endure such a loss.
Recently, I officiated at a memorial service for a precious baby who passed away just ninety minutes after birth. While a memorial service like this would normally be filled with indescribable grief, this particular service was filled with a special sort of joy which I have only witnessed a few times in my life. While this young couple from my church, Erik and Jessica, were grieving over the loss of their beautiful little girl, Ella, they were able to experience God’s grace in a profound way.
This was most clearly demonstrated by the words they each read as a part of the service. Following…
Yes, I am grounded. I’ve had it! I am grounded until I clean off my desk and get myself organized! As you can see, I have been on the run for many weeks! You can always tell how busy I am by how my desk looks. However, if I am doing an office job, I make it a point to make sure every day before I leave, my piles are tucked away neatly and organized for the next day. On the contrary, at home in my office…I’m a slob! You know what they say…the first step to recovery is admitting you have a problem!
I was thinking about why I’m a messy at home and not in the office? Other than the fact that I have been working non-stop and organizing paperwork hasn’t been my priority, I really don’t have an excuse. Even though I have no good explanation, I know God was speaking to me through the mess this week. You see, as Christians, we often go out into the world and appear to have it all together…you know, clean desks so to speak. In fact, at work, I am a tidy desk Nazi at the end of the day. You wouldn’t dream that my desk at home would look anything like this if you knew me at work.
As God worked on my heart this week, I was reminded of the times that I have gone to church or work and put on a good front that all was well. No one would know looking at me that I was going through a traumatic time in my life. In fact, I have learned to emit confidence no matter what lurks in my life at any given time. I try to have a smile on my face as to not spread doom and gloom to those who aren’t having a bad day. I’m an encourager, not a discourager at heart. Isn’t that what I should do? Isn’t it a good thing to be positive? I think that it is noble not to be a whiner; but rather, try to live victoriously through my struggles. However, as I have mentioned before in my writings, if the world is looking at Christians as someone that has to be perfect; I don’t think anyone would ever want to be one. Being perfect is hard. As a matter of fact, it is a recipe for failure as none of us have the capability in this life of perfection. We all fail from time to time even when we are living a good Christian life. I have learned recently that we don’t want to become complainers; but I think it is a good thing for Christians to let the world see their struggles.
For example, we are in a class at church and last week’s lesson was on healing. I get a little angry sometimes when I think about God healing one person and not the other. I know that’s not a real reasonable emotion but I’m sure most of us have questioned why at one point or another in our lives. The whole idea about the lesson was that God makes decisions on to heal or not to heal related to the greatest glory to Him. Obviously, in miraculous healing situations, He is given much praise and glory. However, there are times in ones’s life that God can get greater glory by not healing an individual. Did you ever think about that? Have you ever watched someone suffer and not get healed but in the process they brought glory to God? Perhaps they already knew Jesus as their Savior and they were able to minister to others who were also suffering with the same problem or to caregivers who watched them trust Jesus with their daily issues. Others that didn’t know Jesus before they got sick, may have gotten to a point in their illness that for the first time in their life, they sought Jesus as their Savior. If God would’ve healed them, they may have never recognized their need for Jesus.
Did you ever look at suffering and illness like that? Did you ever go through a messy desk time in your life and wonder how God will be glorified through your actions? I think it is a great way to think about it the next time you are going through a trial. Maybe appearing to have a clean desk at church or work is not really giving God glory in your situation. Perhaps as Christians, we should invite some company over and allow them to look inside our lives—and see our cluttered and somewhat out of control desks so to speak—to see that perhaps things are not as they appear. As followers of Christ, we are called to trust God and be joyful through tribulations. However, I think it is also glorifying to God to allow others to watch usas we put our trust in God along the way and show some of the messiness that comes with the situation. For when we are real, we can reach many for Christ.
Ahhhh! What joy there is in an uncluttered life! I am free!
How’s your desk look at work or church vs. how it looks at home? Are you being real? What about that person sitting next to you in church that you know is going through a hard time but you don’t get involved as everything on the outside appears to be fine. It’s less messy that way, for sure. Is there someone that God has laid on your heart to help clean up their mess or just show them you have one, too? I pray that you take the time this week to reflect on the trials God has allowed to come into your life and ask Him, “How can I glorify You the most through this situation, Lord?” For when we take the focus off of ourselves and put our focus on God, life seems to be so much less cluttered. For in our trials we find purpose…actually the ONE purpose we have been given in this life…TO GLORIFY GOD. Be blessed…and don’t forget to be a blessing!
Acts 1:8 (NIV) But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
1 Peter 4:12-13 Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. 13 But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
I just wanted to stop by during the day to wish you all a very happy Thanksgiving! Jim and I have a quiet day today, as we won’t be having the family in until Saturday for our celebration. One of my friends mentioned on her Facebook page this week, “Thanksgiving is fine, but thanksliving is even better!” This is so true. So even though I’m taking the time to tell you how thankful I am for you today, that statement is true every day, no matter if it is a holiday or not.
Lori Kempton, Author/Speaker 