June 22, 2011

Words of Wisdom from Friends who Care Deeply

My husband has been having conversations with a good friend of his. This guy definitely has the wisdom of God, and one day he had many things to say (this was several months ago). Some bear remembering and returning to. I discovered a document in my folder this morning that has these and, remembering their power, decided to share them with you all:

Seek the truth that pulls you out of the living lies.

Don't believe the lie that your pain is too unique to be understood by others.

Don't try to fix or look for answers – look for the right questions to ask.

You WILL have a story to tell. You just don't know what it is yet.

My Children in Heaven

Last night I was reading part of this book called Heaven is for Real: A Little Boy's Astounding Story of His Trip to Heaven and Back. It’s fascinating and a quick read. Anyway, there is this one part where Colton (the little boy) walks up to his mom and says “I have two sisters.” He goes on to tell her that one died in her tummy (true), and he met her while he was in Heaven.

It made me cry. I cried with relief, I guess, knowing that my husband and I have two children in Heaven that the Father has adopted and are waiting anxiously for us. I better quit thinking about it or I’ll get weepy again. I am at work, after all.

I had trouble sleeping as a result (though it could have been the Mexican food too).

I do recommend this book. It is beautiful and innocent. Not the best-edited book I've ever read, since it was written by the boy's father, but still fascinating reading and very thought-provoking.

June 14, 2011

The Great Physician

I truly believe that God has healed me. There, I said it. Committed it to the blogosphere. Why? Because, I have asked for it. I have been led to parts of the Bible that talk about how critical a role faith plays in how God interacts with us.

This one really hit hard one night:

James 1:5-7, NIV
5 If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. 6 But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. 7 That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. (emphasis mine)

I have been looking at how people have experienced healing throughout the Bible. Whether it was fertility, or sickness, or blindness or anything else, there is a consistency: faith and interaction. People acted out of faith; prayed in faith; believed wholeheartedly. I don't see anyone who said something like "Well, I've prayed about it but who knows what will happen from here." I'm not saying that never ran through someone's head. Who am I to project?

As for interaction, it always involved more than one person - whether that was a husband, a wife, a priest, a friend, a whole community, or Jesus himself - people prayed for each other for healing.

Now, I'm going to admit that I can't help the thoughts that come to my head that usually start with "what if." However, I am recognizing them as doubt and focusing on God instead.

As if to prove His point, today the message in my mailbox underscored my belief. I subscribe to a daily devotional from Rebecca Barlow Jordan. Here's today's entry:

Day 166

THE GREAT PHYSICIAN

"I am the Lord,
who heals you."
Exodus 15:26

From the Father's Heart
My child, rest in Me. I have given you a prescription for healthy living. When you allow your body to stress out and destructive emotions to run rampant, My healing cannot come. I am not only the mender of broken bones and dreams, but I am the restorer of broken hearts and lives. I am the great physician, and I care for all My patients with tenderness and love.

A Grateful Response
Lord, I bring the pains of a wounded heart and the aches of a broken body to You. I feel Your personal presence surrounding me with quiet assurance. Your touch releases my pent-up emotions, and healing flows through me like a fountain. Lord, You are my great physician.

Simple Truth
God's home is where we can hang our hurts.

A Prayer of Worship

You are God Who Sees Me
You walk before me
You are forever – in the past and the future
You redeem me
You sanctify me
You rescue me
You wrap your arms around me and call me Beloved
You protect me and save me
You don't let any tear go to waste
You use my pain ultimately for Your glory
You smooth my heart with your loving hands
You envelop me in Your love
You are the great I Am
You see me and know me
You are omniscient and omnipresent
You drive out my fears with Your perfect love
You give me Your spirit of peace
You give me rest
You give me a path to follow, hope, and a future
You are mine and I am yours
You love me.

June 13, 2011

Fertile Heart Pre-Conception Detox SummerFest

This is a thought-provoking look at a study which revealed that BPA might negatively influence reproductive quality. Not exactly shocking news, but it bears repeating. It's a good reminder for me to check the WHOLE label of anything I buy.

Fertile Heart Pre-Conception Detox SummerFest

June 3, 2011

How Fear or Unbelief Limits God in Our Lives

i found the most amazing blog from a woman of faith today and just had to share this with you. yes, she's been knocked down by the infertility stick, but her story is full of encouragement for those of us who struggle with our faith even as we overcome (or endure) incredible obstacles.

the topic i'm reading today: limiting God (part 2)

favorite phrase of the day: "...I have to start seeing myself pregnant..." this has actually been an evolving theme for me. between a dream about being told to see something to a brief encounter during a workout when i felt the command "i want you to see this" followed by a vision of my own pregnancy, delivery, and holding a baby, i can sense that this is something i need to do. now.

doubt has been plaguing me, and i reject it right now.

June 2, 2011

Pregnant Coworkers

I now have two coworkers sitting within 30 feet of me that are visibly pregnant. One of them, I'm very happy for since she had three miscarriages before this around the same time that I had my two. She's seven months along now and I catch myself staring at her big, round belly. I don't feel like crying or anything - in fact, I'm pretty flat emotionally. But I need to not do that. I'm going to embarrass myself one of these days, not to mention her.

I still don't know what's going to happen this year and I feel like I'm in a waiting room. I have been here for months now, and don't know how much longer. But wait I must. Patience I must have. I guess I'm waiting on the Lord. Letting Him work on my heart while I'm waiting for my circumstances to resolve, because eventually they will. Sometime this year.

In the meantime, I could seriously use a few rollercoaster rides. Elitch's is in my (near) future.