» Scripture

Grief

GiantMelanie — Sat, 01 May 2010 18:25:42 +0000

Last night we lost a good friend. My blog is not the place to share the private moments of grief of one of our favorite families, but I want to share a passage that they prayed together as we all loved them through our tears.

Though the fig tree does not bud

and there are no grapes on the vines,

though the olive crop fails

and the fields produce no food,

though there are no sheep in the pen

and no cattle in the stalls,

yet I will rejoice in the Lord,

I will be joyful in God my Savior.

The Sovereign Lord is my strength;

He makes my feet like the feet of a deer,

He enables me to go on the heights.

Habakkuk 3:17-19

Slash, Are You Out Yet?

GiantMelanie — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 22:08:21 +0000

Baby Dale, Boy Slash Girl, Him Slash Her, SLASH! I was just thinking about you sweet child and doing a little math (which you will see is a real stretch for Mommy), and I think you might be BORN! Not completely sure, kinda depends on the timeline…but Slash, I think you might be born! As your Mommy, first of all let me just say, I’m floored by this realization. Most mommies are very, VERY aware of their children being born. But God has chosen to have you born halfway around the world by a different mommy, your birth mommy, who I just know loves you oh so very much. It is an honor and a privilege to get to be your mommy and watch you grow up. But for this portion of your life…well…I just get to imagine you growing. If you’re born, then you’re still very little. Elliott was a wee tiny little guy when he was born – only 4 pounds! I guess I learned a lot about not being in control with tiny little Elliott in an incubator. God taught me early on with him that he is GOD’S and not mine. It’s the same with you, little one. You are GOD’S and not mine. I can’t help you now any more than I could help Elliott when he had doctors swarming around him and tubes coming out of him. I’m trusting God to take care of you now like He took care of your big brother a couple of years ago. Daddy, Elliott, and I pray for you and your birth mommy every day. Hang in there, little one. We are on a list. It may sound cold, waiting on a list for you, but it’s not, because God is going to match us. God’s got it all timed perfectly. Right when our name pops up, or however it works, you’re going to be there, and you’re going to be ours forever. God’s got it all figured out, and He’s already got us together. So wherever you are, Mommy and Daddy love you, your big brother can’t wait to play Legos with you, and God has a plan.

“All the days ordained for me were written in Your book before one of them came to be” Psalm 139:16.

My God of Hope

GiantMelanie — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 03:50:47 +0000

“May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit” (Romans 15:13).

This verse has just hit me today. Hope and joy and peace are totally related to our trust in God. Yes! This is so true! I’m butterflies-in-the-stomach about Karts for Kids next week (Yes – NEXT WEEK! Eeek!), but my God, the God of hope, really has filled me to the brim with joy and peace. I trust that this event was His idea and is in His hands, and I am truly overflowing with hope, hope for what He’s going to do, hope for the kids whose lives are about to change, hope for my community to get to be part of God’s plan. I’m bursting with hope! And there’s such a peace knowing that the result is completely out of my hands. I’m not saying I do nothing and sit back and wait for God to handle everything. I’m working hard, I’m doing everything that I can do, but at the end of the day, at the end of my work, at the end of myself, I can put my trust in the God of hope. The God of hope!

In the face of terrible tragedy, my God is the God of hope. My God is the God of hope in Haiti, where children cry out for parents who will never wake up. My God is the God of hope in Uganda, where empty bellies rumble and familes are ravaged. My God is the God of hope in America, where what’s good becomes the enemy of what’s best and we unintentionally become slaves to our belongings. In utter devastation, the God of hope.

Tonight I am overflowing with hope, filled with joy and peace, trusting in my God, my God of hope.

Better Words Than I Could Write

GiantMelanie — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 21:22:06 +0000

Do you ever just come across a few lines in Scripture that surround you, seep into the cracks in your heart and fill in the holes in your brain? I’ve read these words time after time, but today, stumbling upon them unexpectedly, they just sunk into my soul.

“So do not fear, for I am with you;
       do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
       I will strengthen you and help you;
       I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.” Isaiah 41:10