Philippians 4:19
Sometimes it's hard to believe where a journey will take you and the things you will think about. I watched a short interview with Michelle and Jim Bob Duggar yesterday. They talked about the loss of their 20th child at 18 weeks gestation. Whatever your opinion on the Duggar family (and believe me I've heard everything from "good people" to....well let's just say some not so nice comments") they are faithful Christ followers. Watching the pain they went through and how they handled it with faith and grace was truly amazing. In her pain, just finding out via ultrasound, that their baby girl was no longer alive, she turned to her husband, crying and said "can we pray?". It was a beautiful, vulnerable moment. They did not chose this moment to be public but instead thought they were having a joyful moment to find out if their baby was a boy or girl.....and then the devastating news......hearing Michelle declare "the Lord giveth and the Lord taketh away" was both heartbreaking and uplifting. In addition to that she had to wait three days before the baby was born. She said she went home prayed a lot, read God's word and waited. WOW! What a testimony to the strength and power that God has available to all of us.
In light of her testimony, a little thing like sugar addiction seems to pale in comparison. You might ask, how does her testimony help me in MY circumstances. How can you even BEGIN to compare the two? You're right if you're thinking there is no comparison between her tragedy and my seemingly insignificant "addiction" BUT it's where or WHO I turn to when times are hard or when I feel I can't cope (and yes, I am referring to things other than the sugar here). Michelle Duggar is an example to me. It is clear WHO I need to seek FIRST.
Mine is a different type of story than most. I work from home with small children everyday. I have for 25 years. 10 hours each day it's just me and the under 5 crowd. Many, many times God speaks to me through the children, no question. But then there are times when he actually speaks to me, teaches me, through ways I would never expect. I'm lucky if I get to take a lunch hour each day. And it's not often that I can watch something on TV uninterrupted by someone having to go potty, a baby crying, a dog barking.....but yesterday was quiet and I turned on the TV and the channel was on Anderson Cooper (I've not ever watched his show) and he was just introducing Michelle and Jim Bob. So I listened to the interview. I was lifted up by her faith and focus. Whatever angers people about the Duggars keeps them from seeing and hearing the true blessing. They LIVE for Christ. He leads them! And whatever they are doing, it works for them!
We are all witnesses to each other. That can be a beautiful thing.
It's only the 4th day (and since it's the weekend I don't really know if I should count it) and this morning I was thinking "so far, this wilderness thing isn't so terribly bad". My focus is changing. I'm starting to forget what brought me here because I'm learning so much more than how to overcome sugar! Praise God!!
Have a God day!
XOXO
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