The month of December, as we all know, can get a bit hectic...so, when we were thinking about attending Sunday night service at our Church, I honestly was thinking about all of the other things I could get done at home in that time slot.
As we sat through the service I knew that this was exactly where God wanted me to be. The sermon title was "How Can A Good God Permit Evil and Suffering". The pastor started off answering the question by "I'm not sure." As he listed those who suffered in the Bible...he made it quite clear that we can rest assured because God is in control. BUUUT, if you are like me, it doesn't hurt to see and hear real examples from real people who have hope despite the worst of circumstances...
At the end of the sermon, a video interview was played of a wife who takes care of her husband.
She and her husband used to attend church, but as his body weakened, they were no longer able to come.
She shared with such JOY and HOPE that I kept waiting for the tears to start, and maybe a bit of resentment hidden in the shadows of her words. But as I kept listening…I was reassured that IT IS indeed possible to live out a life with gratitude despite unbelievable pain and suffering!
As she finished her story and told of her husband’s faith and how he encouraged her…she smiled as she expressed his love to pray. As he ended the interview with prayer, I started to sob. I was so moved to tears that there are those who have so little to be happy for and yet they are the ones who seem to have a well of encouragement for others that never goes dry. I am sure they have those days, but it was evident that they live a life that is overflowing with gratefulness.
It is truly a life of gratitude that we strive to live. We want to instill in our children that despite life’s evil and suffering… GOD IS GOOD!
That night I could not stop thinking about what an amazing legacy these parents are leaving for their children and for grandchildren.
As I had started a list of what I wanted to include in our children’s HOPE CHESTS…I knew that what really offered them HOPE needed to be included FIRST.
They need verses to go to when life is tough.
Verses to cling to in time of fear.
Verses to offer friends who are hurting and who feel like giving up.
These handwritten and sometimes typed-out verses are something my momma made for me. Though the stickers and stamps are no longer “in” and the country rose color from one of my favorites has faded…it is still on my fridge and has offered such comfort to me over the years!
Sooo, as much as I look forward to icluding charts, recipes, bird bowls, linens, dishes and baby clothes…I am cherishing writing down verses that will outlast any earthly possession, so that when life’s storms roll in, they will be able to live a life of JOY and HOPE.
{Thank YOU SANDERS FAMILY for sharing your life of GRATITUDE!}
Hope Chest details to come!
Shared with: Titus Tuesday, WLW, raising homemakers
Wow- I don't think I could have sat through that sermon without totally losing it. It is amazing how some people weather the storms of life and others don't- even Christians. This is a remarkable woman that you have told about here. Blessings- xo Diana
ReplyDeleteI love the idea of having a spiritual HOPE CHEST...storing up the hope we have in the Lord.
ReplyDeleteHOPE was one of the first word studies I did as a new believer. Hope for the world means crossing your fingers and wishing for the impossible. Hope for a believer means patiently waiting for something that was already promised by our Heavenly Father.
Yes, He is so good!
What a wonderful idea to make a Hope Chest....a very special gift for your kids. I know I would have loved something like this! Loved the story about that lady and her husband...God is indeed good, all the time. Thanks for sharing your words of hope!
ReplyDeleteBlessings to you!
I love this idea!
ReplyDelete