Wednesday, October 16, 2013

A Purpose For the Pain

As I sat listening to the chorus while those young men sang, face stained with tears, I struggled with the purpose of the pain. I was weeping, almost sobbing as I watched those 17 year old boys struggle through a song they wrote together and performed minus 1.  There is something so real - so raw - about 17 year old young men crying real tears, desperate to understand, with tear stained faces and broken hearts.

It was a night to say goodbye a boy who lost a battle but won a victory.  Jesus was holding him now and he felt more loved than he could have ever imagined feeling here on this planet. He feels more complete then he would have ever felt here on this Earth.

All that was left - A family a week into life as they now know it, mourning the loss of their dear son...their little boy...brother.....friend. A gathering of broken people, hearts searching - struggling to find understanding in the midst of the un-thinkable. Broken vessels who are determined to see beauty from these ashes. Desperate to find treasure in this wreckage and a meaning to the words so perfectly placed in the bibles they are holding on to with all they have left.

Admitting that there were and are no words for what happened the night their precious boy left this sin stained world and arrived into the glory of His savior's. They must ask why, or perhaps that was my voice in my head; Bouncing back and forth from my heart 2 very real - very painful thoughts - One, we cannot protect our babies from any level of horrendous pain and two, there is no assurance here on Earth that I won't face this very same reality.

I have 2 boys of my own. My heart upon hearing that threadbare momma weep, told my legs to run to her - tell her it is all a bad dream.

Satan tiptoeing around my thoughts, screaming that there is no way they will ever get through this pain - this unimaginable pain - Working vehemently to convince me our fibers threaded with the glory of a God who would lay His son's life is just not good enough - that God is just not strong enough - that God has left us lonely and confused and forever that is the way we shall remain.  

That's. Just. Not. True. Those terrible lies that tell us to give up and succumb to this pain - they're simply not true. Satan is a liar, a deceiver....a jerk.

As I watched a family with more Grace than I have ever seen, glorify a God who would certainly carry them through this - somehow, some way - I saw some purpose in this pain.  That a God who keeps all His promises could be glorified in the midst of unimaginable torment through His people who refuse to allow Satan any foothold within their heart. A family that could stand before the people who gathered and declare for an audience of ONE that Jesus is the the victor - the King - the author of tomorrow despite the misery of today.  Satan would not did not win because this boy lost an earthly battle. Satan lost - again - because this boy won a heavenly victory and is whole and healed and full of life.

There is a purpose laced within this pain.  We lay at His feet the burden too heavy to carry and He slings it on His back and us in His arms and He carries us to a higher place - a place that shines with peace - peace that surpasses any earthly way of thinking, any earthly way of understanding.

"Jesus didn't make it easy for himself by avoiding people’s troubles, but waded right in and helped out. “I took on the troubles of the troubled,” is the way Scripture puts it.  Even if it was written in Scripture long ago, you can be sure it’s written for us.  God wants the combination of his steady, constant calling and warm, personal counsel in Scripture to come to characterize us, keeping us alert for whatever he will do next." (from Romans 15 . . . The Message)

"Sometimes a stronger, more realistic faith is birthed in the darkest of pits," (Jo Ann Fore, When A Woman Finds Her Voice), because when we are at the end of what we can do, God is up to something bigger, doing what only HE can do. And born this night was hope in the truth that God has this all in the palm of His hand. One truth was obvious for all hearts t hear - that although the misery of today is too much to bear, it has nothing on the promise that tomorrow will come and God will prevail over this sorrow. "There is a powerful shifting that takes place as we abandon the right to understand and we yield to God's working in our lives," (Jo Ann Fore When a Woman Finds Her Voice).



Also, check out the “When A Woman Finds Her Voice” Pledge. Newly released, this free pledge is for any woman who is working to find her own God given voice and willing to use it. Click on the Link to read and sign the pledge. When you do you will receive a beautiful free copy of the pledge that will serve to remind you how valuable your voice is. I signed it and commit to using my voice for His continued glory. I hope you will join me!


If you haven’t checked out the information on ”When A Woman Finds Her Voice” be sure to check out the links here or click on the photo to see an introduction to the book and the latest Amazon reviews.

10 comments:

  1. I barely made it through this post....having buried my own 30 yr. old just two years ago. Parents should never ever have to bury their children, but this we know...God and only God gives the grace to walk through it. Thank you for taking on this difficult and delicate reality of Life. We must take life in all its beauty and pain...be aware of its frailty and preciousness, moment by moment and live it while we have the chance.
    Thank you for sharing.
    Thank you for sharing.

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    1. So sorry for your loss! I totally agree with your statement fully "No one should have to bury their child." So painful. Thanks for reading and sharing your personal connection. God's grace us amazing. So, so amazing.

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  2. Bless you for sharing this! This is a very good post. Thank you for encouraging me. Love your voice.

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  3. Powerful post. You bring hope for the hurting.

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    1. Thank you Cheryl. Sometimes hope is all we have!

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  4. What a beautiful post! Such a powerful reminder of God's triumph over the lies of the enemy. Thank you for this.

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  5. This is a powerful reminder of the grace and power of God. Wonderful words and reminders here today my friend!

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    1. God is so good. Thank you for stopping by, NJ!

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