Sunday, September 02, 2007
For everything, there is a Time
It seems that lately I have been surrounded by or have knowledge of friends and/or family with so much grief and pain in their lives.
A dear couple recently lost an unborn child. The excitement of looking forward to the new member in their family turned to the sorrow of loss and pain. So difficult to deal with, as she suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and the challenges that in itself presents. I am haunted by the sorrow in her eyes.
Another precious young couple who had looked forward so joyously to the birth of their first child are now anxiously spending each day in the NICU, as their baby fights for his life with each breath he takes. You can follow their struggle by going to http://www.totsites.com/tot/bennettmitchell and/or http://www.prayingforbennett.blogspot.com/ .
For the last few years, my daughter has struggled with the pain of learning the someone she had considered to be her best friend not only did not look at their friendship that way any longer, but had in reality not even considered her to be in her circle of friends - to the point that she was not invited to this friend's birthday celebrations and was not even one of those her friend called to announce her engagement. It is so, so painful to have been close to someone and then to be cut off by them, yet to have to continue to see them on an almost weekly basis. You cannot imagine the hurt that causes if you have not lived through this yourself.
Another dear friend had breast cancer surgery last year, and has since suffered deep vein thrombosis, now the doctor wants to do a full-body bone scan.
My mom is falling more and more into forgetfulness. She suffers from dizziness and nearly falls frequently. My dad's mind is failing, and he refuses to changes doctors - something that is necessary if my Mom is to have any hope of being diagnosed and treated for either of her problems.
A visitor to our Bible class this morning told us that in the last year she lost her husband and her daughter. She has been diagnosed with lung cancer. And another daughter is a crack dealer.
Another friend is addicted to prescription medicine and his life is spiralling downward.
There are so many opportunities to minister to the suffering. I pray that I will do whatever I can and not let my eyes be blinded to the paths God sets before me.
Ecclesiastes 3:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
A dear couple recently lost an unborn child. The excitement of looking forward to the new member in their family turned to the sorrow of loss and pain. So difficult to deal with, as she suffers from rheumatoid arthritis and the challenges that in itself presents. I am haunted by the sorrow in her eyes.
Another precious young couple who had looked forward so joyously to the birth of their first child are now anxiously spending each day in the NICU, as their baby fights for his life with each breath he takes. You can follow their struggle by going to http://www.totsites.com/tot/bennettmitchell and/or http://www.prayingforbennett.blogspot.com/ .
For the last few years, my daughter has struggled with the pain of learning the someone she had considered to be her best friend not only did not look at their friendship that way any longer, but had in reality not even considered her to be in her circle of friends - to the point that she was not invited to this friend's birthday celebrations and was not even one of those her friend called to announce her engagement. It is so, so painful to have been close to someone and then to be cut off by them, yet to have to continue to see them on an almost weekly basis. You cannot imagine the hurt that causes if you have not lived through this yourself.
Another dear friend had breast cancer surgery last year, and has since suffered deep vein thrombosis, now the doctor wants to do a full-body bone scan.
My mom is falling more and more into forgetfulness. She suffers from dizziness and nearly falls frequently. My dad's mind is failing, and he refuses to changes doctors - something that is necessary if my Mom is to have any hope of being diagnosed and treated for either of her problems.
A visitor to our Bible class this morning told us that in the last year she lost her husband and her daughter. She has been diagnosed with lung cancer. And another daughter is a crack dealer.
Another friend is addicted to prescription medicine and his life is spiralling downward.
There are so many opportunities to minister to the suffering. I pray that I will do whatever I can and not let my eyes be blinded to the paths God sets before me.
Ecclesiastes 3:
To every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the heaven:
2 A time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up that which is planted;
3 A time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up;
4 A time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
5 A time to cast away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
6 A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to cast away;
7 A time to rend, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak;
8 A time to love, and a time to hate; a time of war, and a time of peace.
# posted by pawatson @ 1:05 PM 
Saturday, September 01, 2007
One Less at the Table
We moved our daughter to Waco on August 1. She is attending Baylor University Graduate School. I am so proud of her and all that she has achieved and will be achieving there. She is already making an impact on those around her there.
I miss her, but it was important that she made this move. She needs to achieve her own goals in life. I am proud that she has a goal and knows the direction she wants to know.
She spent the past year working as a teacher's aide at a local elementary school. She worked with the P.E. teacher at a Title I school. Many of the kids at that school come from homes that are broken apart because of drugs and crime. Kids that have experienced things at an early age that no one should ever have to experience. Because of this, they cry out for attention - often in a negative way.
Working with these kids gave my daughter insights she would not have otherwise gained. It made her see the importance of education and how school is often the only safe place these children have. It let her see the impact that just one person can have on a child's life. And, since she wants to pursue a career in professional sports, it gave her an insight into the direction she would like to go with that. It let her see what an impact a sports figure can have on a young child's life, and what a difference that can make in keeping a child in school.
I am so proud of her. I do, however, miss her at my table each night. We didn't always see a lot of each other while she lived here. But there is comfort in just knowing someone is near. It is right that she has moved. That is the way life is supposed to be. But she knows - there will always be a place at our table for her.
And someday, we will sit together around God's table - never to be parted again. Now, that is the day I am really looking forward to.
We're part of the family, that's been born again. Part of the family whose love knows no end; For Jesus has saved us, and made us His own; Now, we're part of the family that's on its way home.
Chorus:
And sometimes we laugh together, sometimes we cry; Sometimes we share together, heart-aches and sighs; Sometimes we dream together of how it will be; When we all get to Heaven, God's Family.",
When a brother meets sorrow we all feel his grief;
When he's passed thru the valley we all feel relief;
Together in sunshine, together in rain;
Together in victory; thru His precious name.
Chorus:
And sometimes we laugh together, sometimes we cry; Sometimes we share together, heart-aches and sighs; Sometimes we dream together of how it will be; When we all get to Heaven, God's Family.",
And tho' some go before us, we'll meet again;
Just inside the city as we enter in;
There'll be no more parting, with Jesus we'll be;
Together forever, God's family.
Chorus:
And sometimes we laugh together, sometimes we cry; Sometimes we share together, heart-aches and sighs; Sometimes we dream together of how it will be; When we all get to Heaven, God's Family.",
I miss her, but it was important that she made this move. She needs to achieve her own goals in life. I am proud that she has a goal and knows the direction she wants to know.
She spent the past year working as a teacher's aide at a local elementary school. She worked with the P.E. teacher at a Title I school. Many of the kids at that school come from homes that are broken apart because of drugs and crime. Kids that have experienced things at an early age that no one should ever have to experience. Because of this, they cry out for attention - often in a negative way.
Working with these kids gave my daughter insights she would not have otherwise gained. It made her see the importance of education and how school is often the only safe place these children have. It let her see the impact that just one person can have on a child's life. And, since she wants to pursue a career in professional sports, it gave her an insight into the direction she would like to go with that. It let her see what an impact a sports figure can have on a young child's life, and what a difference that can make in keeping a child in school.
I am so proud of her. I do, however, miss her at my table each night. We didn't always see a lot of each other while she lived here. But there is comfort in just knowing someone is near. It is right that she has moved. That is the way life is supposed to be. But she knows - there will always be a place at our table for her.
And someday, we will sit together around God's table - never to be parted again. Now, that is the day I am really looking forward to.
We're part of the family, that's been born again. Part of the family whose love knows no end; For Jesus has saved us, and made us His own; Now, we're part of the family that's on its way home.
Chorus:
And sometimes we laugh together, sometimes we cry; Sometimes we share together, heart-aches and sighs; Sometimes we dream together of how it will be; When we all get to Heaven, God's Family.",
When a brother meets sorrow we all feel his grief;
When he's passed thru the valley we all feel relief;
Together in sunshine, together in rain;
Together in victory; thru His precious name.
Chorus:
And sometimes we laugh together, sometimes we cry; Sometimes we share together, heart-aches and sighs; Sometimes we dream together of how it will be; When we all get to Heaven, God's Family.",
And tho' some go before us, we'll meet again;
Just inside the city as we enter in;
There'll be no more parting, with Jesus we'll be;
Together forever, God's family.
Chorus:
And sometimes we laugh together, sometimes we cry; Sometimes we share together, heart-aches and sighs; Sometimes we dream together of how it will be; When we all get to Heaven, God's Family.",
# posted by pawatson @ 8:48 AM
