Hey, Sweet Things!
I feel like I’ve lived a month-full of events since the last I checked in with you but decided in retrospect that maybe God had kept me busy so I’d leave up that last post a little longer. I knew in my heart that many of your lives were touched by hidden disabilities just as mine has been. Some of yours, vastly more than I’ve experienced but I know some of the pain and bewilderment and fear. My prayer is that, at the very least, you know you are not alone and that God sees every struggle and is moved to compassion by every heartache. He is still our Healer and when healing doesn’t come the way we wished and prayed, He is still our Strength and Sustainer.
OK, let me think what has happened around the Moore world since I talked to you last. Thursday morning I had the great joy of heading to San Antonio for one of my closest and dearest spiritual daughter’s first baby’s birth. (Did you follow that??) I have known Amy since she was barely out of college and came to work at my home church years ago. We were not instantly close because of such a wide age gap between us but God wove our hearts together through the ups and downs and twists and turns of time. For years now we have been as thick as blood. She is big sister to both of my girls and I love Amanda and Melissa even more for always opening their arms to her. As tight as the four Moores have been, I have never for one second been able to tell that they felt the least bit threatened as Keith and I loved this young woman second only to them. I relish so many dimensions of life in Christ and one of my top five favorites is family that He brings together, not by natural means but by the bond of the Spirit. The riches are immeasurable.
Amy moved to the Texas Hill Country where her man works after they married two and a half years ago. Then eight months ago while Keith and I were at our cactus ranch, I got a text from her that said, “Hey, can you call me when you get a minute?” That was not unusual but I just had the weirdest feeling in my stomach. I dialed as fast as my fingers would move and when she answered, I blurted out, “Are you having a baby???” And we both screamed and then cried. Amy married just on the other side of her mid-thirties and God knew that the desire of her heart was to have a baby. I was all about rushing it but, since I had no control, I let Amy and Steven do what they thought was best. And, boy, did they ever do a good job of it.
Michelle drove me to San Antonio so I could still work on my laptop in the front seat of the car. When she offered, I reasoned that it was a tad above and beyond her job description but she countered that I am her job and, after all, it was a workday, and, furthermore, when I’m out of the office, she doesn’t have as much to do. The truth is, I think she caught a bad case of itchy feet from me and I’m just as glad. She is the easiest person in the world to travel with and a big help to boot. Her Dad works for Marriott so she got us two rooms close to the hospital for $40 each. Not bad at all.
I stayed in touch with Amy and Steven all the way from Houston to San Antonio and made it to the hospital in time to lend some support to my sweet girl while she labored from 6-9 centimeters. I was so proud of her. I’ve thought a lot about Amy and Steven and that baby coming in their later thirties rather than their early twenties. I know this is not always the case but, as for this young woman, she felt so blessed to be carrying that baby that she virtually never complained about being sick or, as most of us feel from seven months to nine, ample of stomach. She was nothing but grateful all the way from push to shove. As I stared at the two of them staring at her, I wondered if I’d ever known a baby that was more welcome or more apt to be savored every single second of her young life.
Ainsley Elizabeth was born to Amy and Steven at 6:12 PM as Steven’s parents, Amy’s mom, sister, and brother-in-law, and our dear friends, Steve and Bonita Seelig, and Kimberly McMahon and I waited nearby on pins and needles. Steven shot me a text about ten minutes later and we shouted till the dead could have been raised at Methodist Hospital in San Antonio, Texas. In no time at all, we all got to go back and see as beautiful a newborn as any of us had ever laid our eyes upon (needless to say, alongside Jackson and Annabeth Jones). A little while later while I was hogging her, everybody but her parents (busy with the doctor) gathered around to gawk at the gorgeous reality of her. I said to that darling little thing, “Ainsley Elizabeth, the generations welcome you! Come into this family and be loved!” And she had an expression like she might do just exactly that.
Ainsley and her absolutely darling new Mommy. I normally would never post a picture of a woman who’d just walked through the Valley of the Shadow (what my mom called childbirth) but Amy looked so fantastic that she earned this. This baby wasn’t even an hour old in this picture.
Since I did that to her in her unadorned hour, I think it is only fair that I show you a regular picture of Amy with her man. This sits on an end table in our den:
Back to the hospital Thursday night. This is some of our very best lifetime friends, the Seeligs, with Ainsley and me. Steve is a minister at “the other” big Baptist church right down the road from us and has been on the LPM board of directors since its inception. He is a nut just like he appears to be in this picture and that’s why I’m posting it.
This is one we keep looking at and laughing. I mean this in good humor and with nothing but respect (and our dear Sister Lynn knows that’s the truth) but doesn’t Ainsley look a little like Mother Teresa as an infant here?
This is Ainsley and the uncontested man in her life: Daddy.
And this is Miss Pris all by herself. This is her first outfit and I was given the dubious honor of putting it on her:
I got back Friday night and threw a roast in the oven and sliced potatoes in a pan and prepared a heaping helping of birthday dinner for one of my favorite men in the whole wide world. Curtis Jones turned thirty and our entire family unit was there to celebrate. It was one of those nights you can’t really plan when everybody laughs like there’s no tomorrow and makes big over everything. Colin and Melissa gave Curtis a great set of speakers for his I-pod and we turned up the music and danced our legs off on the kitchen tile. Well, at least Amanda, Melissa, Annabeth and I did. Keith wanted to. I could tell. He just wouldn’t bring himself to do it since the other men were sitting back laughing while we were carrying on. Believe it or not, Keith Moore was a disco king back in our college days and could twirl a girl on the dance floor with impressive flair. After we were entirely out of breath, we crowded around the Cotton Bowl until Amanda, our resident Aggie, just couldn’t take it anymore. All of us texted each other the next day and said what a blast it was.
Such a great welcome to the weekend then yesterday came.I spent the first part of it in near euphoria with both my daughters at lunch at a great little tea room by the ministry. Melissa had a decked-out veggie sandwich and my favorite pasta salad in the world. AJ had chicken enchilada crepes and a green salad and I had chicken and spinach quiche with tortilla soup. Man, my mouth is watering thinking about it. We then dropped Lis off at the ministry to do some catch-up work then I took AJ home and grabbed the boy. He, Buzz Lightyear, and I headed to the park where we played for about the next hour and a half. If I loved this boy one iota more, I’d break into pieces.
Then I got a text. A horrific thing happened in Arizona, sending shock waves all over the United States. A gunman unloaded a semiautomatic weapon at a public gathering for Rep. Gabrielle Giffords. He wounded thirteen people and stole six precious lives right out from under their families. One was a nine year-old little girl. A nine year-old little girl. It’s the kind of thing that makes you throw your hand over your mouth. A bloody rampage. What on earth makes a person do a thing like that, we wonder. What kind of world is this we live in??
These are strange days. Terrifying days. Sometimes I just sit and shake my head and wonder what on earth is ahead. During those times, my mind often turns to the divinely intended irony of the exact same phrase found in Acts 2:17 and 2 Timothy 3:1 –
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Acts 2:17
But mark this: There will be terrible times in the last days. 2 Timothy 3:1
A few days ago an older man I respect so much told me that he was scared to death for our world and that he believed we were facing history’s most perilous days. I hadn’t even unpacked my suitcase yet from a conference where I saw 22,000 college-age men and women wildly proclaim the Name of Jesus, pore over His Word, and support His cause with over a million dollars for missions. I thought of the irony. I thought of the truth. I thought of the prophesy of the worst of times and the best of times. The same days that will give rise to such peril will also see the rising of a refined church. Darkness will come but light will shine in the darkness. The shroud of death may threaten to cover the earth but the tender cries of newborns still remind us that beauty can rise from the ashes.
Somebody new might read this post and think how idealistic and out of touch I seem and that’s okay. Enough of the rest of you know that I didn’t even make it out of toddlerhood as a budding Pollyanna. Though many of you suffer in ways I can’t imagine, I have ongoing hardships and some personal challenges that seem overwhelming at times. Even in the midst of escalating horrors, Scripture commissions us in the final words of Romans 12, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.”
Some verses skim easily off the surfaces of our lives. Others make it deep into the echoing chambers of our hearts. Psalm 27 is one of those for me. I memorized it years ago out of the KJV at a time when I thought I’d be swallowed up whole by my enemy. To this day, I call its closing words back to my conscious mind every single time I feel overcome by evil.
13 I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the LORD
In the land of the living.
14 Wait on the LORD;
Be of good courage,
And He shall strengthen your heart;
Wait, I say, on the LORD! (Psalm 27:13-14 NKJV)
The goodness of the Lord. Here. RIGHT HERE. In the land of the living. May He strengthen your heart. And may He crowd around the suffering with such force and affection that His healing presence is palpable.
We are praying for you, Arizona. And we are so, so sorry for your suffering.
I love this post. Thinking about Amy having you by her side brings tears to my eyes. You are so good at… loving.
Oh, Beth. I just want to thank you for sharing your life with us in this way. You don’t have to, but you do. And for those of us out here who “feel” like we know you through your Bible studies, events and books, it’s as if you’re confirming that feeling by giving us glimpses into your life. So, thanks:-).
Also, for your words of encouragement in times like this when tragedy strikes. For me, it’s a reminder that tragedies happen like this every day throughout the world that don’t make the news. I can’t help but pray, Come, Lord Jesus, Come! (In Your own time. Of course.) 🙂
To “Thy Hand” Well said, Siesta…I totally agree with you.
Thank you so much for sharing the story & pics of Amy and Steven! I’m in my 30s and still holding out hope for my man to appear on the scene and sweep me off my feet! Babies are on my brain, but the Lord knows His perfect timing and will. This post encourages my heart so very much. Thanks Beth!
I’m with you Elle! I have grown up knowing in my heart that the only thing I wanted to be was a wife and a mother. Getting close to thirty and nothing on the horizon. Everyday I have to remember in His time not mine. Very hard some days when it seems like all of my friends or acquaintances are getting married or having babies. We just have to keep the faith! 🙂
Praying for our country as we seek the face of God for understanding. He is our ever present help in our time of trouble.
Becky, you’re so right. Seeking God’s face is exactly where we need to be looking.
Amen!
Thank you for sharing the scripture of of Psalms. It is a comfort.
i love you, beth. your family stories. the precious photos. the scripture you choose. i never regret reading your posts. blessings.
Ditto and amen !
Anne
Hmmm….Mother Teresa as an infant? I do believe you are right!! I LOVE the way you think out of the box….LOL!!
Thank you for this wonderful post, Beth. It reminds us just how much God is in control of His universe….a time to live, a time to die. But, will we ever understand WHY some have to die unexpectantly or at such a tender, young age? There is a 13 year old girl missing from Colorado City..has been since just after Christmas. Will she be found alive…God alone knows at this point. We live in a fallen world, but we must keep our eyes on Jesus, the One & Only and He will guide us. Thank you again for sharing your family, friends and thoughts with us. Love to all….
I am thankful that God has blessed me with a heart that during times of trials, I can be thankful for all that is taught to me by my loving Father, when I”m obedient and I WAIT! Thank you for bringing that verse to the surface. I needed to hear that and be reminded that indeed that is God’s desire…..lean on Him while we WAIT…..I pray I can grow and not struggle to remember that waiting on the Lord is an honor, not a punishment.
Such a blessed event. . I love births and their stories! Thanks for sharing and congrats to the precious family.
I couldn’t agree more, I think I had the same reaction to the news yesterday. . I just thought, “what else”. It is a scary time to live in. . I pray for my children.
Isn’t it amazing how God uses the happiest of events and the most earth shattering events to shape us, others, and the world around us. I always, always cling to Romans 8:28 in times like these. ALL THINGS WORK for GOOD. . HIS PURPOSE. Let’s cling to that these days. Love you Siestas. .
Oh, I have to tell this! The other day in my morning devotion. .there was my memory verse. Psalm 93:1, right there, the main verse in my devotion. I love it when GOD does that. I knew only you SSMT gals would appreciate it as much as I did.
Wendy
P. S. We are waiting for snow here in North Georgia! YAY
It’s been snowing here in Tuscaloosa all afternoon! It’s just beautiful!
Thank you Beth for those verses at the end. I rejoice at the wonderful birth of that precious baby girl and I weep over the horrific loss of the people of Arizona. Like you, I am stunned over that 9 year old baby girl. Nine. The verses from Psalms are like a warm blanket on my soul today. Bless your heart and your sweet little family.
Dear Mama Beth,
I so love hearing about your every day to day. I am so happy for a new little blessing to be born and have such beautiful parents. No doubt she will be filled with so much love. So glad to hear you had a wonderful birthday dinner with Curtis and family. Loved the whole dancing thing. There is something about dancing in the kitchen. I do it all the time when I am cooking complete with apron and ipod blaring. Quite a sight according to my man.
I am praying for Arizona. It touched a nerve. IN my neck of the woods this week, we had a school shooting at a nearby school. The principal and vice principal were shot. The vice principal did not make it. My hubby and I both teachers this touched our very core. I am praying for the families who were victims and for the boy who did it and took his own life and his family as well. Satan seemed to have a hey day this week and it nearly broke my heart. But I was reminded that God is mighty and powerful and sees our grief and sorry and totally understands us when we don’t get why the world is doing what it is doing. I am so thankful for Him and I just love Jesus to pieces and know that He has a plan way beyond my understanding but in the end it will be for his good.
Oh goodness I have written a book. I guess I had much on my heart.
Tammy, I am a retired teacher in Nebraska, too. It has been a very sad week for all Nebraska educators, as we laid to rest one of our own. Certainly none of us has thought as we walked in the school door each morning that violence like this could ever take place there. I have been praying constantly for Dr. Vicki Kaspar’s bereaved family, as well as the very shocked family of the boy who lost control and shot both her and himself to death. And of course Saturday’s tragic happenings in Arizona have only added to that sadness, knowing how many people in this world still need the comfort, love, and guidance of our Lord Jesus Christ! Come, Lord Jesus, Come!
I am only going to say Psalm 27…I read it the other day, then I was over with some ladies from the church at this woman’s home. She is going through a horrible ordeal, and she had a hard time going to His Word…and as I sat and thought of scripture the FIRST one was Psalm 27! And ya know what, I dismissed it..(yep, I dismissed the Spirit’s voice nice huh),
and instead I shared my memory verse with her Psalm 142:5-7-
She told me she had been trying to read the Bible before so much was happening in her life that morning…
Can you take a guess what verse it was that she was trying to read earlier that morning…
Yep. Psalm 27.
And btw, I did finally write a post on your message at Passion. I wrote it when it was finally ME being put aside and letting God speak.
(He has to push me a lot at times!)
Anyway, these are the times of our lives…
there is good and bad in the world…but its still a world God gave us. So I try to help myself believe…that its more good then bad.
xoxo
ang
Anyway, these are the times of our lives…
there is good and bad in the world…but its still a world God gave us.
So well said, sister.
Thank you, mama beth:)xoxo
” So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal.” (2 Cor 4:18)
That portion of Psalm 27 is my memory work these two weeks. I have NEEDED to be reminded that He is good & I will see His goodness at work right in the land of the living.
Such a precious family you have.
Gorgeous baby girl!
I laughed out loud at that picture where she looks like Mother Teresa.
Such a horrific thing that happened in Arizona…loved what you had to say…we all would faint and lose heart without Him…
Ps 27:13-14 were two of my ssmt verses last year.
Thank you for this Beth. It’s so good to be reminded that God is with us still ! I’m so needy. I’m so weak in my flesh. Thank you for holding up the weak to our Lord!
Hey Ms. Marilyn!
Good to see you-
🙂
Sorry if I posted twice.
Such a precious family you have.
Gorgeous baby girl!
I laughed out loud at that picture where she looks like Mother Teresa.
Such a horrific thing that happened in Arizona…loved what you had to say…we all would faint and lose heart without Him…
Ps 27:13-14 were two of my ssmt verses last year.
Thanks for sharing the Psalm verses. What a precious baby!
Thank you Beth for the healing words you give. I too, feel like the enemy will swallow me whole. I read aloud the verses in Psalm 27. How stregthening!
My prayers are with you…
When I read this post I was surprised–but not–that you mention Ps:27. This Psalm has been special to me for several years and now verse 14 is my “word” for the year. It seems this Psalm is popping up wherever I go.
I blogged about it…
Thanks for all your encouraging words.
It is a very tumultuous time we live in, that is for sure. I’m so thankful that the Lord is our anchor to keep us stable in all things!
What a beautiful baby girl God has blessed the world with. Little Ainsley is so precious, and I pray that God will watch over her and use her in a mighty way.
Likewise, I’m praying for all those directly affected by the horrific evil in Arizona. I pray for peace that passes all understanding. I pray for comfort that can only come from the big arms of Jesus wrapping around the depths of your soul…Lord have mercy!
In His Love…
Thank you so much for sharing that. I have been reading over Psalm 27 since I watched Passion. I need some stinkin’ courage! Maybe I should say…. I have need of endurance, sometimes its just too much to take in. I just watched a 60 min segment on Mexico, whew. Im overwhelmed by the violence. (in AZ and MX)
So thankful to leave 60 min to read your post, it was so encouraging.
love you too.
When sad things happen it makes me even more grateful for my ordinary days. Feeling thankful today for my 3 -year- olds in my Sunday school class and for the simple reminder that God loves me no matter what. Isn’t God sweet to send us new life?!
I completely agree about the ordinary days! We don’t know what is in our future… so I’m just so thankful that today is “normal” (if that’s possible)… I think about this all the time!
Beth, Thank you for sharing the beautiful story of Steve, Amy and Ainsley. It was just the kind of happy news we needed to hear at this time. The senseless killings in Arizona and the innocent victims is so difficult to accept. As we read Psalms, the words help to reinforce our faith and hope for the future.
Dear Mrs. Beth,
God has really been working in my life and showing me how just a regular stay at home mommy can make an impact in her community. I have built friendships and relationships with those hurting in my church and in our community. Just yesterday, I ventured to Kroger with my PRECIOUS 3yr. old daughter. After following me around the store for an hour and a half talking to me non-stop, she found herself standing in the check out line staring at the candy. She looked up at me with her adorable pug nose, a messy pony tail and smiled while asking me for a treat. I nearly cried because I felt so many emotions at one time. I felt pure joy because God had given me such a beautiful little girl to share life with. I also felt a strong sense of protection. I want SO badly to shelter her from all the evil of the world. However, I know I can’t keep her away from a broken heart, or from the teasing girls can dish out, but I do know that I can teach her to plant her feet on Christ, who is the one and only Solid Rock! Thank you for reminding me that God is in control of all things at all times…including my little 3yr. old treasure!!
Right after I wrote my post, my 2 1/2 yr. old little boy ran up to me and said in his buzz voice, “Space Ranger…Come in Space Ranger! To Infinity and Beyond!” as he jumped off the couch. I could absolutely feel my heart burst with the amount of love I have for my little man. He is PRECIOUS!!!!
It’s such a sweet gift to share life and prayers with one another! Rejoicing over new life…Our family gets another precious gift like that in April Lord willing. And prayers for the troubles so many have experienced in this uncertain days. One thing is certain. Christ’s Kingdom has come and will soon come in its fullness. Makes you want to shout and pray, “Maranatha!” Come quickly Lord Jesus, come!
I love when you share about your relationship with your daughters. It’s so refreshingly real. I hail from ND where people are more “closed off” (maybe ‘uptight’ is better) with their emotions/feelings/etc… than in other areas of the country (I think its our strong German heritage). We’re always nice and down to earth… but not always real… I so desire and crave to be REAL with my children, family, friends as you are with yours… but it doesn’t always come naturally. I want to be the kind of mother who can laugh so freely and easily with my children and their spouses and children some day…. who can dance in the kitchen if they feel like dancing in the kitchen together—not so afraid of what the other might think. This might sound strange… but one of the hardest people I have making eye contact with is my MOTHER! We have a great relationship, but in person we don’t often look eye to eye! What’s with that!? Anyways… Thank you for sharing of your life… it is always an encouragement and reminder of how I desire to be in Christ…. and what “stuff” I hope to break the infernal familial (or cultural) mold of! Also, you have mentioned Ps 27 before and that touches my heart every time. It makes me feel a bond with you! It has been so very very dear to my heart and written there as well since my husband and I went through two miscarriages a few years ago (we now have 2 little boys—Praise GOD!!)… I have read it so many times I couldn’t begin to count! Anyways…. Thank you for using it in this context as well! And for pointing out the light in the darkness! When I look at the darkness of this present age, how I need encouragement like this!
Thanks Beth for sharing and for the encouragement. Saturday was like your weekend. Spent the day both in joy and sorrow. Rejoicing in the marriage of a nephew and his new bride. But sorrowing and in horror of what had happened in Arizona. Thanks for sharing the verses at the end. They are indeed a comfort.
Mama, your post title reminds me of a sentence in Angie Smith’s book [I just started reading today’…”grief and joy were dancing together as if they had the right to.”
AND, this verse in Acts was in our pastor’s sermon today. Whatcha up to Lord? (Also just finished MB Chapman’s book..what an intimate privilege to read these 2 women’s stories that they’ve shared with the world.
My heart is heavy for you Arizona.
HI-
What Angie Smith book are you referring to? I love the line you quoted, and I am in need of a good book as I am about to finish Kay Arthurs’ Israel,My Beloved. I agree- Choosing to SEE was an incredible book! 🙂
Hi Katie, the book is called “I will carry you”. Hold onto your hat and grab tissues, but it’s beautiful.
You had a fun weekend! A new baby, time with family to watch a sad Cotton Bowl, and time with the young man himself! I too, have to giggle at your Mother Teresa picture! Ainsley is a beautiful baby!
Beth, I’m broken hearted about the AZ events. I truly feel there is still a lot of good happening in our country, but I’m horrified at how easily someone can do what this young man did and feel no remorse. Instead of removing God from ‘everywhere’, we need to put Him back where he belongs…the very heart of our lives.
Thanks for sharing your tho’ts on this, I’ve watched the coverage off and on today and said many prayers for these families.
Thanks for sharing all that’s been going on 🙂 Thank you for helping lead our hearts as we process all that happens in this life. My heart goes out to those who lost loved ones. It’s amazing how fast a life can end.
Truthfully, I was avoiding the last post like the plague. I live with a person with a hidden disability. It’s overwhelming. I know the Lord is telling me not to strive. I’m trying, but I messed up tonight. I’m thankful for grace & mercy. I need to remember to apply it to others as well.
BIG HUGS,
Michelle, TN
Just realized that this comment may hurt someone struggling with a hidden disability herself. Not my intention.
You are precious to Jesus. He sees you and knows you. He wants so many good things for you. You are one of His special treasures.
Much Love,
Michelle, TN
Well, it just hit me that I must use that verse, in NKJV translation as my next memory verse. I’ve been poring over the Psalms in my own sufferings lately and I read that one just the other day, but the wording of it in NKJV really spoke to me. Sweet, blessed hope! Thank you!
Belated Happy Birthday to Curtis, mine was Thursday and I had a wonderful day.
Praises go out for the new baby, we had a baby showertoday for a precious little boy to arrive next month. Will these children change our world?
I have watched the news over the weekend regarding Arizona, shcool shooting in Omaha and a 10 year old boy shooting his mother in Ohio. Oh how I pray for this world!
God’s mercy on all of us!
Moma Beth–
A gift of life–how sweet baby Ainsley is. Ainsley Elizabeth, I wonder if she was named after her “aunt Beth.” She is beautiful and so is Mommy & Daddy!! Congratulations to all-thank you Lord for a healthy, perfect, baby girl.
My heart goes out to all of those in Arizona. I heard the shooter was 22 years old, I can’t imagine….
I will continue to pray and too am so, so sorry for the losses.
Dear Beth, Thank you so much for this very full and encouraging post. Yes, this is life, good and bad happening at the same time all around us, beautiful and ugly. Your words. . .
“Darkness will come but light will shine in the darkness.”
reminded me of our pastor’s sermon this morning about God’s statement to us in Matthew 5 that we are the light of the world.
We have to all continue to live our everyday lifes for the Lord, so that others can be effected by Him, through us!
Thank you, once again, for all you do!
We love you!
Thank you so much for this post. I live in Tucson, AZ and I am horrified by the events of the last 24 hours. I am so sick and saddened by everything that has occurred in my beautiful city. Gabby Giffords is my Congresswoman and while she and I disagreed on politics this is NOT the way to disagree. To take a gun and start shooting people is just so sick. The way to disagree is at the ballot box NOT the end of a gun. I pray for all the victims and pray for their recovery. I pray Gabby will recover, its already God’s Miracle that she is still alive. Praise God! The person that pulled the trigger needs the Lord is the worst way. Jesus tells us to pray for our enemies and believe me Jared is our enemy right now. I am trying to pray for him because he is God’s child but I am having a hard time praying for him. I pray justice will be swift and certain. Please continue to pray for Gabby and all the people who were injured and killed. A 9 year old child died. How sick is that?
I can’t help but think of something my husband said in response to a question about “Where is God when bad things happen?”
Specifically in regards to America, his response was this: How can we rightfully expect God to bless America when America so blatantly turns away from God? We ask where He is, forgetting that we’ve been busy removing Him from anything and everything we can.This,of course, not referring to Christians who are part of the active uprising of the church, but those who are lost and dying.
It saddens me so much that some vigilante decided that violence was the answer and that innocent people – and a beautiful little girl – have suffered infinitely as a result.
Thanks, Beth, for your true words – in regard to the Arizona tragedy. Won’t it be wonderful when we as believers decide that vitriol and angry rhetoric does not become us; and choose to stand for whatever we believe in (godliness, politics, whatever else) based on the strength of our ideas – and cloaked in truth and kindness. I’ve always so appreciated people with whom I strongly disagree about whatever issue – but with whom we’re able to disagree showing marked graciousness and kindness. I just never see Jesus decide kindness is optional.
May God have mercy on the victims and may events like yesterday drive us to our knees and drive us to the Word.
Crying in Alaska for Arizona and for our country ~
(Beth – I know my comment has a bit of a political tone to it – and won’t be upset at all if you don’t post it. I so love that Siestaville is politically neutral. I just think angry, vitriolic rhetoric – regardless of which side of the political spectrum it comes from – can have potentially devastating consequences; and that we, as believers, need to exercise great care with our word and imagery choices. And I say this knowing full well we’re not sure yet what motivated the disturbed young man who took innocent lives yesterday).
I so agree with you!
Amen, sister!
Said so well! I agree!
Beth
I want to tell you a good(actually great!) thing that is happening in the Metro-Detroit area this year. There is a thing called E.A.C.H happening. The acronym stands for Everyone a Chance to Hear. Churches from all around Detroit are coming together and crossing denominational lines to by presenting The Gospel to every Metro-Detroiter.
I just got home from a prayer and praise night that our church hosted. We had over 1000 Pastors and Lay People from area churches to Pray for EACH and to worship God. One pastor asked “How many churches are represented here tonight?” My 12 yr old boy whispered in my husbands ear and said “0ne” That was exactly the answer! Even though we attend different buildings every week, there is only One Church. The Church of Jesus Christ!
We are so excited for this amazing and historic thing to begin in South-Eastern MI. We believe this is going to bring a revival to where we live.
Siestas please pray for us as us believers in Michigan while we begin this thing!! Here is the website to get a better idea of what it is and how to pray…www.eachtoday.com
Stacie
Livonia, MI
Thanks, Beth, for being so real! Congrats to Amy and welcome to this crazy world to Ainsley… and hoping your little man had as much fun with Buzz Lightyear as My 8 year old is right now with Buzz and Woody playing in his bedroom! And prayers for all in Arizona… such senseless tragedy… but God is with us all! =)
Thank you for speaking to the horrific event in AZ. I just can’t shake the loss of the 9 year old and immediately question “why couldn’t SHE be saved Lord?”. I think it’s a natural response yet I do know He is here. And I cling to that. I love how you say it, may He crowd around the suffering.
Thank you for putting those two verses together, making sense of how they work together rather than oppose one another.
Oh Beth…My heart and mind has just been all over the place in Arizona. Did you see where the momma of the 9 year old was phone interviewed by Fox? Oh my momma’s heart was a wreck.
Life is just so interesting huh? Life and death and ups and downs and joys and heartbreak. Its a weekend like this where I just want to seize the day. 😉 But, it’s true.
Its snowing here in west TN tonight. Something so peaceful about that right now. I’ll let the house fall asleep and I’ll just stare at it in the dark.
Love you Beth. Thanking God for your ministry tonight.
Saying a prayer over your family. What a blessing you are to so many of us.
“My prayer is that, at the very least, you know you are not alone and that God sees every struggle and is moved to compassion by every heartache. He is still our Healer and when healing doesn’t come the way we wished and prayed, He is still our Strength and Sustainer.” Thank you. You have no idea how my broken heart needed to here that tonight.
Beth, I just love how you are. No pretention, when it’s good it’s ALL GOOD! And when it’s bad, you let it be bad. You aren’t a sugar coater. Thank you for your honesty. Thank you for being vessel of the Lord. Praise Him for the freedom you walk in. I pray I will walk in it as well! I’m starting my memory verses with Galations 5:1 (ESV) “For freedom, Christ has set us free. Stand firm, therefore, and do not submit again to a yoke of slavery.”
Bless you!!
Beth,
I live in AZ, about 90 miles south of Tucson…and am an elementary school teacher…yesterday seemed so surreal because it was so close to home, but then I realized that these things are happening more and more often all over our country. My prayers are with those all over that are touched by tragedy.
Like the rising sun that shines, from the darkness comes a light, I hear a voice say, “This is My awakening.” God, awake my soul for you…for the world you love.
“You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober.” 1 Thess. 5:5-6 The best of times and the worst of times, indeed.
Our close knit, small community lost a bright and shining star Thursday. Sixteen year old, Ally, was truly an old soul. She spent days making her peers smile, and evenings keeping her widowed grandmother company, all without being prompted. She died in a tragic car accident. It has rocked our little town. The teenagers are suffering a tremendous loss. Please pray for the students at Romeo High School as they say goodbye to their precious friend. And pray for Laurel and Garrett as they heartbreakingly say goodbye to their daughter and sister. It’ll be a rough week.
Much love,
Teri
Lord I raise this young life up to you and all that she loved and touched. I pray for your hand upon this family and this circle of friends, not only today but in the months ahead when the grief seems unbearable. Lord help them to see your light and your love in this!
Amen.
This post spoke to deep to my spirit! My mom called yesterday when the news about Arizona hit. I was busy cooking for her brother and sister-in-law in town for the weekend.
We are indeed living in perilous times and no doubt worse to come. Those Scriptures you posted are so amazing! We can hold on to the truth of His Word and not have our hearts fail for fear. I’m so grateful for the Body of Christ! Beth, I cannot thank you enough for your ministry! For your love for the Word. I can feel your love through your posts! Thank you for sharing with us, your joy for us to rejoice with you in as well as your pain for us to weep with you.
Much love!
I love to see my boy down on one knee, bent over eye-level with his cars, trains,planes, Buzz…!
And amen to your final words!
Sorry bout that I let Jordan use my computer to put in her memory work that her and her 6 yr old boy are memorizing together, and forgot to change my email back you can delete Jordans if you want!!
Thank you, Beth. The first part of your post brought back memories of my 3 daughters. Our oldest and youngest were born in Methodist hospital in San Antonio. (Our middle daughter was born in Ft. Worth.) We have lived in Lincoln Nebraska now for 18 years.
It has been a very sad week. This did not make national news but a 17 year old young man (he was 2 years younger than my daughter and attended the same highschool she graduated from until he tansferred to Omaha in Oct) opened fire at his highschool in Omaha, killing the assisstant principal and critically wounding the principal. He escaped and drove about a mile down the road and then turned the gun on himself. So very tragic. His funeral was here in Lincoln yesterday. The assisstant principal will be laid to rest on Tuesday. So much heartache. It does make one think that we are living in very perilous days. Your prayers for these families would be so very appreciated.
Beth, my Mom and I certainly needed a laugh tonight and “little Mother Teresa” certainly provided that! What a great picture.
Life is certainly full of horror and happiness and you never know which one the next breath will bring.