As I climbed into my big four poster bed with its fluffy mattress, ungodly thread count sheets, comfy pillow, thick comforter, and multiple decorative pillows, I thought what the heck am I complaining about? My children are home, safe with me, and God has provided for all of my needs today. Yet, I have been grumbling in my head off and on all day long. As Christmas approaches, my attitude is getting worse rather than better. I keep focusing on the negative of what I don't have this year versus what I do have. I'm not talking about creature comforts either. I am talking about love.
Romans 5: 2-5 says, "We have peace with God through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
Romans 8: 38-39 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our lord."
Is not the greatest gift love? Christ died for us. How much more love do we need? Yet, I am blessed beyond belief with the love of friends and family. I am reminded of the many blessings in my life and that my suffering is really nothing compared to the cross or others' burdens.
I have never suffered the loss of a child. I have never suffered the loss of a spouse to cancer. Yet, my friend has. She has suffered much yet still shows grace, patience, love, and understanding to anyone around her. She continues to love and live regardless of her pain. She inspires me. She has taken more shots on the front lines than anyone that I know, and yet she still perseveres. She serves every day. She focuses on the positive and pushes those of us around her to smile and move forward.
I have never lost a sibling. Another friend has along with many other trials and hardships and health issues throughout the members of her immediate family. She has suffered much yet still behaves with grace, poise, and love; she serves God's children daily. She has received more bells from graduating students than I can count. She makes a difference in God's name.
I have not lost a parent. Yet, another friend has along with other trials and disappointments. She has suffered, persevered, and remained a faithful friend and daughter. She still stands strong with poise, grace, and pride. She is a servant as well as a true and loyal friend.
I never doubted nor struggled with my capacity to conceive. Yet, a friend struggled for years alongside other trials including the loss of a parent. She suffered shots, surgeries, miscarriages and many disappointments not just related to conception. Trial after trial until that blessing occurred and through multiple in-vitro attempts conceived. She is a leader, a servant, and a true friend.
I have never been to war. I have never taken a bullet, knife, or even feared for my life. My former student took a hit and suffered a traumatic brain injury as well as many other injuries including post-traumatic stress disorder. He did it for you and me to enjoy our country's freedoms. He is persevering through the injury with strength that only Christ could give.
I have never been traumatically injured nor had a child traumatically injured. A member of our FBC youth group that I was very close to was in a car accident last night. She was life flighted to San Antonio. She has multiple breaks in her shattered body, and her family sits by her bedside in these few days before Christmas. They will be there for many, many days. Her therapy and healing will only be sped by the hand of God.
The loss of a brother, the loss of a child, and many other trials have plagued my brother in law and my sister. They sacrifice much for their calling to serve youth and family. They are truly good and faithful servants. They have character and heart. My cup runneth over.
I have never sacrificed the safety net of home for Christ. I have friends who are missionaries that have sacrificed health, comfort, family, etc. to serve Christ in a foreign land.
If we take a little time to reflect, we can see the other soldiers up and down the trenches. Many have suffered and sacrificed, but all have love. All are blessed through Christ. Their examples bless me. Their love for Christ and family inspires me and others.
I think that I will quiet the grumbling Israelite in me tonight with a prayer for friends and family in His trenches.
Father, God, we lift up to you all of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are in the trenches working for your Glory. Lay your comforting hands on each of them and help them to feel your love and grace. You are with them. Your angels guard and protect them. By Christ's blood, we are saved, and by His blood we are whole.
Thank you for all of them and the love that they all so freely share. Thank you for their sacrifices and attitudes of fortitude. May they edify the rest of us in your trenches by their perseverance, character, and hope. We give thanks for our meager sufferings that we may experience your pure joy through these trials. May we mature in our faith, be complete, and not lacking anything.
In the name of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. Amen!
Stand Firm! Keep the Faith!
Romans 5: 2-5 says, "We have peace with God through whom we have gained access by faith into this grace in which we now stand. And we rejoice in the hope of the glory of God. Not only so, but we also rejoice in our sufferings, because we know that suffering produces perseverance; perseverance, character; and character, hope. And hope does not disappoint us, because God has poured out his love into our hearts by the Holy Spirit, whom he has given us."
Romans 8: 38-39 "For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our lord."
Is not the greatest gift love? Christ died for us. How much more love do we need? Yet, I am blessed beyond belief with the love of friends and family. I am reminded of the many blessings in my life and that my suffering is really nothing compared to the cross or others' burdens.
I have never suffered the loss of a child. I have never suffered the loss of a spouse to cancer. Yet, my friend has. She has suffered much yet still shows grace, patience, love, and understanding to anyone around her. She continues to love and live regardless of her pain. She inspires me. She has taken more shots on the front lines than anyone that I know, and yet she still perseveres. She serves every day. She focuses on the positive and pushes those of us around her to smile and move forward.
I have never lost a sibling. Another friend has along with many other trials and hardships and health issues throughout the members of her immediate family. She has suffered much yet still behaves with grace, poise, and love; she serves God's children daily. She has received more bells from graduating students than I can count. She makes a difference in God's name.
I have not lost a parent. Yet, another friend has along with other trials and disappointments. She has suffered, persevered, and remained a faithful friend and daughter. She still stands strong with poise, grace, and pride. She is a servant as well as a true and loyal friend.
I never doubted nor struggled with my capacity to conceive. Yet, a friend struggled for years alongside other trials including the loss of a parent. She suffered shots, surgeries, miscarriages and many disappointments not just related to conception. Trial after trial until that blessing occurred and through multiple in-vitro attempts conceived. She is a leader, a servant, and a true friend.
I have never been to war. I have never taken a bullet, knife, or even feared for my life. My former student took a hit and suffered a traumatic brain injury as well as many other injuries including post-traumatic stress disorder. He did it for you and me to enjoy our country's freedoms. He is persevering through the injury with strength that only Christ could give.
I have never been traumatically injured nor had a child traumatically injured. A member of our FBC youth group that I was very close to was in a car accident last night. She was life flighted to San Antonio. She has multiple breaks in her shattered body, and her family sits by her bedside in these few days before Christmas. They will be there for many, many days. Her therapy and healing will only be sped by the hand of God.
The loss of a brother, the loss of a child, and many other trials have plagued my brother in law and my sister. They sacrifice much for their calling to serve youth and family. They are truly good and faithful servants. They have character and heart. My cup runneth over.
I have never sacrificed the safety net of home for Christ. I have friends who are missionaries that have sacrificed health, comfort, family, etc. to serve Christ in a foreign land.
If we take a little time to reflect, we can see the other soldiers up and down the trenches. Many have suffered and sacrificed, but all have love. All are blessed through Christ. Their examples bless me. Their love for Christ and family inspires me and others.
I think that I will quiet the grumbling Israelite in me tonight with a prayer for friends and family in His trenches.
Father, God, we lift up to you all of our brothers and sisters in Christ who are in the trenches working for your Glory. Lay your comforting hands on each of them and help them to feel your love and grace. You are with them. Your angels guard and protect them. By Christ's blood, we are saved, and by His blood we are whole.
Thank you for all of them and the love that they all so freely share. Thank you for their sacrifices and attitudes of fortitude. May they edify the rest of us in your trenches by their perseverance, character, and hope. We give thanks for our meager sufferings that we may experience your pure joy through these trials. May we mature in our faith, be complete, and not lacking anything.
In the name of Jesus Christ my Lord and Savior. Amen!
Stand Firm! Keep the Faith!
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