Good morning!
I haven't posted much lately on the things going on in our life. I've purposely tried to keep this blog rather light-hearted and quite honestly, I don't like to talk about myself. Maybe it's a deep security thing of being vulnerable and not sharing too much. But mostly I think it's because I don't think it does any good to just throw your problems all out there for everyone to know. So I tend to wallow in them all by myself. [Picture me rolling my eyes at myself.]
But if you are reading this and going through a really difficult time, I don't want you to think that I'm sitting here posting cute little things on this blog and don't have a care in the world. I struggle...A LOT! One of our children brings me to tears almost on a daily basis. But thankfully, this child also brings me to my knees in prayer every day too. I get frustrated because God doesn't give me all the answers now. It seems to me that it would make things so much easier if we understood "why?" But God, in His infinite wisdom knows the answers and in His time he will make it known to me....or maybe not. And that is where faith comes in. More and more I realize that our lives require so much faith.
Anyways....I'm rambling. But I didn't want anyone to think for a moment that I have everything together. Most days I'm a mess actually!
If you are struggling, I pray that you would experience God's strength today.
And for some reason, this little "talk" reminded me of the essay "Footprints". So here it is:
Footprints in the Sandby Mary Stevenson
One night a man had a dream. He dreamed he was walking along the beach with the Lord. Across the sky flashed scenes from his life. For each scene, he noticed two sets of footprints in the sand: one belonging to him, and the other to the Lord. When the last scene of his life flashed before him, he looked back at the footprints in the sand. He noticed that many times along the path of his life there was only one set of footprints. He also noticed that it happened at the very lowest and saddest times in his life. This really bothered him and he questioned the Lord about it. "Lord, You said that once I decided to follow you, You'd walk with me all the way. But I have noticed that during the most troublesome times in my life, there is only one set of footprints. I don't understand why when I needed you most you would leave me." The Lord replied,"My son, My precious child, I love you and I would never leave you. During your times of trial andsuffering, when you see only one set of footprints, it was then that I Carried You." And of course, I couldn't leave you without a song! Here are two, actually, that have meant a lot to me lately.
He Will Carry Me, by Mark Schultz
http://markschultzmusic.com/album.asp[To listen to a clip, look under the album
Stories and Songs and click on #9]
I call, You hear me
I've lost it all
And it's more then I can bear
I feel so empty
Your strong, I'm weary
I'm holding on
But I feel like giving in
But still You're with me
And even though I'm walking
Through the valley of the shadow
I will hold tight to the hand of Him
Who's love will comfort me
And when my hope is gone
And I've been wounded in the battle
He is all the strength that I will ever need
He will carry me
I know I'm broken
But You alone
Can mend this heart of mine
Your always with me
And even though I'm walking
Through the valley of the shadow
I will hold tight to the hand of Him
Who's love will comfort me
And when my hope is gone
And I've been wounded in the battle
He is all the strength that I will ever need
He will carry me
He will carry me
And even though I feel so lonely
Like I have never been before
You never said it would be easy
But You said You'd see me through the storm
And even though I'm walking
Through the valley of the shadow
I will hold tight to the hand of Him
Who's love will comfort me
And when my hope is gone
And I've been wounded in the battle
He is all the strength that I will ever need
He will carry me
He will carry me
He will carry me
and
Take My Hand , sung by The Kry
http://www.thekry.com/2003/standardsite.html[To hear a clip, click on "music", then "you", then
"listen to clips", then "take my hand"]
I know there are times
your dreams turn to dust
you wonder as you cry
why it has to hurt so much
give Me all your sadness
someday you will know the reason why
with a child-like heart
simply put your trust in Me
CHORUS:
Take My hand and walk where I lead
keep your eyes on Me alone
don't you say why were the old days better
just because you're scared of the unknown
take My hand and walk
Don't live in the past
cause yesterday's gone
wishing memories would last
you're afraid to carry on
you don't know what's comin'
but you know the one who holds tomorrow
I will be your guide
take you through the night
if you keep your eyes on Me
Take my hand and walk where I lead
keep your eyes on me alone
don't you say why were the old days better
just because you're afraid of the unknown
take my hand and walk where I lead
you will never be alone
faith is to be sure of what you hope for
and the evidence of things unseen
so take my hand and walk
Just like a child holding daddy's hand
don't let go of mine
you know you can't stand on your own
(repeat chorus)
Words by Jean-Luc Lajoie and Yves LajoieMusic by Jean-Luc LajoieHave a great day!!!
Our sweet Samuel turned 7 yesterday!!! Hard to believe! I was busy getting ready for his big party and didn't have time to post yesterday, but here are some pictures.