perspective

i've had a lot to contemplate the last few days. i've not experienced anything like it since my mom passed away. it's not fun, it hurts and honestly i don't think people should have to go through it.

but it's a part of life, as sucky as it is, and we end up learning from it, gaining our own insights and perspectives and if we're open to it, growing from the process.

death.

let's just be honest. it completely blows goats. that's right, BLOWS!! but it happens. and although on the other side of it awaits pure bliss, it's not easy to handle when you're the one left behind.

a few days ago i found out a friend of mine had a seizure, went into cardiac arrest and was found unconscious in her home, by her mother. my friend was 35 years old, married and has three girls, 3, 5 and 8. not a good combination. my heart was torn and i hurt for about 48 hours straight. friends from everywhere came together and prayed for her healing. prayed until it hurt, prayed so hard i was exhausted at the end of the day. BUT i felt God. i know He heard every word prayed on her behalf. i felt Him deep in my heart and i knew He was listening.

everyone, everywhere was believing for a miracle. these girls should not have to live without their momma. i'm much older than they, i know what it feels like, i miss my mom every single day.....this is too much hurt for them to go through without understanding. Guy should not have to be without his wife. their relationship was pure, they were good for each other. a perfect match in my opinion. he should be able to celebrate his 50 year anniversary with this woman.

but God saw things differently. He wanted her with Him.

and so now a man is left without his wife and three precious girls are left without their mom. it's not fair. it doesn't make sense. to be blunt and perfectly honest....it's bullsh*t.

and then i read and reflect and pray. b/c if i'm hurting this much, i know from experience her family is hurting double.

Isaiah 55:8-9 (the message)
"I don't think the way you think.
The way you work isn't the way I work."
God's Decree.
"For as the sky soars high above earth,
so the way I work surpasses the way you work,
and the way I think is beyond the way you think.

Isaiah 54:10 (the message)
Though the mountains be shaken
and the hills be removed,
yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken
nor my covenant of peace be removed,"

i could go on forever but these two scriptures spoke to me the most over the last couple of days. God sees so much more than we can begin to imagine. He's still got a plan for Guy, he's still got a plan for their three precious girls.

and He's got a plan for all of us.
to love. no matter what.

Trust steadily in God, hope unswervingly, love extravagantly. And the best of the three is love.