275 Days…9 Months
It’s hard to believe that it has been 9 months since we’ve seen our girl smile, heard her laugh, played with her hair, or snuggled on the couch having deep conversations. While there are moments where time has still seemed to stop, the nine months have flown by. The kids and I were just having the conversation about how fast time really does go. I am thankful for this because each moment is one step closer to eternity. There is a deeper longing for eternity-more than ever before. I am still asking The Lord to teach me how to live focused on eternity but also how to stay present in this world. I want to keep sharing His love so that more lives and hearts will be turned towards Him.
I remember when I found out I was pregnant with Aspen. I had so many dreams of the future, dreams of who she would become. I prayed so many prayers over her while she was still in the womb. My prayer over all of my kids is that they would know The Lord, follow Him with all of their heart, and that He would use their life to bring Glory to His name. I am glad I didn’t know what her future held because I don’t think I could have carried that knowledge for almost 19 years. I am thankful that God is faithful and he is using her life to bring Glory.
As we enter the Christmas season and are focused on the birth of our Savior, my heart has been turned more towards Mary-Mother of Jesus. I heard the song Mary Did You Know a few days ago and it really got me thinking. Did Mary know all that was to come? Did she know the depths of sorrow and anguish that her heart would experience? I really don’t think she did. I don’t think as a mother she could have carried to weight of knowing the future her son faced. I think she knew some things, and some things were revealed to her in the moment, but I think she was like any other mom. She lived in the moment, she dreamed of who Jesus would become, she prayed over him in the womb. She was probably overwhelmed at times, exhausted as a young mom, she experienced joy watching him grow, and then she experienced a grief so deep that her heart probably felt like it was going to stop beating. I imagine her cries of wailing as she watched him be nailed to the cross, tortured and beaten until he died. She probably even questioned the goodness of God and His plan at times. Yet, in all of this she remained faithful to HER calling. Her calling was to be a mom, to raise her son, to love him, guide him, and ultimately trust God with him. I pray that I have the strength and courage that Mary had. To trust God with my kids and their future. I pray that I can walk in what The Lord is calling me to do.
We all have a story, a journey through something hard. Are you willing to let God use your story, your journey to bring Glory to Himself? Revelations 12:11-“and they overcame him by the blood of the lamb, and the word of their testimony”. Your story matters! As we remember the birth of Jesus this season will you give him the gift of your heart, if you haven’t done that but I also challenge you to give him the gift of your testimony! Every time we share our testimony and speak of the Goodness of God, the gates of hell tremble in fear. Don’t let satan have power over your past, be bold and speak of the goodness, mercy and love of God.
I pray that you cherish this holiday season. That you hold family close, that you mend broken relationships, forgive those who have hurt you, that you focus less on the things of this world, and turn your gaze to the face of The Lord. For those of you going through a hard season, I pray you can join me and continue to lay everything at the feet of Jesus. That you feel His arms of comfort and peace. That you keep fighting for your faith and keep trusting that no matter what, God is good! He is still on the throne and He is victor-satan doesn’t win this battle!