The theme that runs through all of [Elizabeth] Elliot’s work is that to trust God when we do not understand him is to treat him as God and not as another human being. It is to treat him as glorious—infinitely beyond us in his goodness and wisdom. But, as Jesus says,...
Joy in the Trenches
Today I look at this title and cringe. Joy? I don’t feel it. It’s been four weeks now since Kiki was rushed to the hospital and this whole journey began. I’ve discovered that knowing God is sovereign, that He is good and that He has a plan doesn’t mean I’d always feel...
Joy in the Trenches
I woke up joyful today. Then I listened to “You Raise Me Up” and started crying. I went through my music and tried to find something that wouldn’t make me weep uncontrollably. I didn’t find anything. Then I came home and saw Kiki’s signatures and a few other things...
Joy in the Trenches
I painted this for my dad when he died in 2013. It popped up today! He’s the tiny bird way in front, and I meant me to be the second bird. We are flying into the Morning. I guess it was Kiki all along.
Joy in the Trenches
It’s one of those days. Last night Mike brought me a box. He very thoughtfully separated Kiki’s ashes so Larry and I could have some. I so love this man who has become my son. We grieve together. But I had been having flashbacks all day as it was. It’s funny how shock...
Joy in the Trenches
Three years ago I painted this. I loved the picture because it seemed to represent my life, always trying to keep ahead of the storm, sometimes not quite making it. But it’s always Christ who keeps me afloat and will bring me safely to port. I’m glad this popped up...
Joy in the Trenches
This is from Tim’s Walking with God Through Pain and Suffering book. I highly recommend it. According to Christian theology, suffering is not meaningless—neither in general nor in particular instances. For God has purposed to defeat evil so exhaustively on the cross...
Rejoice in Suffering
What?? Yesterday, as I climbed the rocky slopes of my day, this thought came to me. It seemed ridiculous. In our culture, suffering is something to be avoided at all costs. As a result, we’ve become awkward not only with our own difficulties, but with others. Too...
Joy in the Trenches
It’s Monday. This is the day Kiki was born. “Monday’s child is fair of face.” She was. It’s also the day she began to vomit and run a fever with a stomach bug. It’s a day for memories, memories that burn. They sear you like a steak. There are days when it’s not too...
Joy in the Trenches
“St. Paul promises to those who love God not, as we should expect, that they will know Him, but that they will be known by Him (1 Cor. 8: 3). It is a strange promise. Does not God know all things at all times? But it is dreadfully reechoed in another passage of the...