More Questions...

For the last week or so, we have taken a hiatus from our current series, Your Questions...His Word, so that we can recognize one of our very own "mommies" whose baby boy, Zion, went to be with Jesus. We continue to keep her and her family in our prayers. I have to admit, this past week has elicited many questions in my own mind with news of Zion's passing as well as other news I've received.

On Monday, I received a call from one of my dearest friends from childhood. A friend who I grew up with, went to school with from K-12, who I have been to the bottom of the pit and on top of mountains with. She is a person in my life who, second to Christ, has exemplified a heart of true forgiveness for hurt I had caused her in my sinful past...yet still she calls me friend. Because Lindsay is a teacher, I was worried when I saw that she had called in the middle of the day and left a message for me to call her back. Knowing she was pregnant and given my own past, my heart sank to think that she might have bad news. When we got in touch, my fears were confirmed as she tearfully told me that she had gone to the doctor only to discover that the baby had no heartbeat.

This is a scenario is all too familiar to me and to many of you who read this blog. As tears welled up in my eyes and I struggled to find the words to attempt to comfort her, my mind just filled with more and more questions...

How could a healthy woman, a mother to two vibrant boys, now be faced with this?
How do I reconcile the fact that I was learning of her loss while also planning to take a meal to another mommy who had just laid her precious Zion to rest days before?
How is it that this happens to frequently, but is talked about so rarely?
How is it that the medical professionals did not explain to my friend the implications of whatever decision she chose to make from here?
How do I know what to say or do to help any of these women who are struggling with loss?

These questions, and so many more, have permeated my heart and mind in recent days. While I may not know the answers and the answers may never be found on this side of heaven, there are some things I know with certainty and want to share with each of you...

God is in control and His plans are for good.
God loves us and each of our children, whom He created.
God blesses us with children, sometimes only briefly on earth. Truly, our children belong to Him.
God is near to us.
God will never leave us or forsake us.
God heals our broken hearts and binds up our wounds.
God is our refuge and our hiding place.
God wants to be in relationship with us.
God has made a way for us to be in direct relationship with Him, through His Son.
God knows the pain of having a child die; He sent His One and Only Son!

These truths, and so many more, are what keep me at peace. While the questions surface and swirl, I am constantly refocusing my heart on the truths above as I cling to the words of the prophet Isaiah, "You keep in perfect peace him whose mind is steadfast, because he trusts in You" (Isaiah 26:3). Trusting in you, today, Lord. And then the next day, and then the next. Still trusting.

In the comments, feel free to share the truths you cling to! We would love to expand our list, as God's truths are endless. Also, we are back to our series, so all comments are entered into a drawing for our "Mommy Shower" gift basket giveaway, consisting of chocolate, Starbucks, and a copy of And Then You Were Gone by Becky Avella.

Celebrating Zion's Life

Bittersweet. Today could be described as such, as one of our fellow mommies celebrated, and mourned, her baby boy's sweet life. Today, Zion Thomas, born August 22, 2010 was laid to rest. We rest in knowing that Zion has joined his big brother, Elijah, in heaven. Still, it hurts so much. While we can cling to the truthful cliche that "he's in a better place" we know as mothers that it's hard to imagine our child being better off anywhere else than in our arms. Bittersweet. While there is hope in Christ for a reunion in heaven, an assurance of that longed-for day, we grieve on earth for what might have been. Today was a day that Sonya and her family willed to celebrate Zions brief, but oh so precious life. He was certainly celebrated and the name of His Savior, who holds him now, was lifted high.

Zions celebration service was held at Riverside Bible Camp, a place that I know has come to be very special to Sonya. As we sat inside the structure where the service was held, it was so beautiful. Windows lined the walls and you could look out and see the majesty of God's creation in the hills and trees that landscaped the outdoors. It was a beautiful morning, feeling almost like fall; a perfect day for a celebration. Still, bittersweet. Scriptures were strategically chosen and read with conviction and those in attendance sang out their praise and worship to an all-powerful and loving God. Special music ministered to the hearts of all who had the privilege of being there. Yet, oh so bittersweet.

After the service, everyone was led up a hillside to the campfire area, where we all participated in a balloon release in Zion's honor. A friend of the family led a special and heartfelt prayer and upon his "Amen" the colorful flock of balloons drifted toward the heavens. My husband captured this picture that was just too precious not to share. You see today, while bittersweet, was a day that Sonya and Seth invited family and friends to celebrate Zion's life. While he may have lived only briefly in this world, his life continues in his heavenly home, because of the mercy and grace of a RISEN Savior who so compassionately cares for children.

This picture says so much to us, don't you think? Taken from the vantage point at the foot of the cross, just where we ought to be, looking up to see that Jesus is no longer there, but seated at His Father's right hand. He conquered sin and death, making a way for each of us to be with Him in eternity if only we would place our trust in Him. So while we grieve and mourn Zion's earthly death, we also celebrate his arrival in heaven. And what comfort to know that his big brother, Elijah, was probably there to greet him. How bittersweet. I can't help but think that maybe some of those balloons drifted on up to heavenly heights only to be caught by the children, our children, who play with them in wonder in their heavenly dwelling. And today, they too celebrate, worshiping their Savior and welcoming a new friend to the Kingdom ~ Zion Thomas.

Your Questions...His Word (post 6) AND a Giveaway!

This post is a part of our current series, "Your Questions...His Word." Click here to go to the beginning of the series and to learn about the giveaway! Also, be sure to check out the most recent post, "A Fellow Mommy Needs Your Prayers" and continue to lift up Sonya in prayer as she copes with the recent loss of her precious baby boy, Zion.

For now, back to our series...as a follow up to our post on devotions, I feel compelled to share just a few more insights about the significance of being in God's Word. I have to admit, we Christians sometimes sound like we are speaking a different language at times, don't you agree? I mean what does it mean to be "saved" and what do you mean by "believer/unbeliever" and being "in Christ" or "in the Word?" While each of these words/phrases in and of themselves warrant their own post, I want to focus today on being "in the Word."

Very straightforwardly, I am talking about reading and studying the bible for oneself. This very act is central to doing devotions. The question arose from the previous post about the difference between prayer and devotions. I guess for me, prayer is often a part of my devotions, or alone time with God. I like to start and end my time with God in prayer, where I just talk to Him. While circumstances sometimes determine the words of my prayers, I always express my thankfulness, first and foremost for having Jesus in my heart, whom I accepted by faith. You can read more about accepting Jesus here. Devotions, for me, may also include reading a daily devotion online, which typically includes a couple verses of Scripture and a story that goes along with the main message of the verses. These types of devotions are also found in various books. More often, however, my personal devotions consist of me digging into God's Word, the Bible. I may open up to the book of Psalms and just read one a day, or stick with that same one for several days, pouring over the Scripture and reflecting on what it has to say. Right now (and for the past 3 weeks), I have been in Isaiah 61, working to memorize these verses. I say these things to give examples, not to prescribe a specific way of how you ought to spend your quiet time with the Lord. In all honesty, I think you need to do what works best for you, but the key is that you do so with devotion. If the concept of devotions is new to you, a devotional book may be a great start and it's perfectly okay to pray to God and admit that this is new and ask Him to show you how to learn more about Him. I find great comfort in Jeremiah 29:13 which says, "You will seek me and you will find me when you seek me with all your heart." Seek Him!

So back to "being in the Word"...We've made it clear that "the Word" is the Bible. Some may wonder what is so important about that? Isn't it just a book? Wasn't it written like a really long time ago and what relevance would it have for me in this day and age? These are all real and valid questions, with real and valid answers. While entire books have been written on this topic which address these very questions, I will just share a few thoughts and Scriptures that the Lord just laid on my heart as I thought more about the topic of devotions and being in the Word. The gospel of John starts with this verse:

"In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God. He was with God in the beginning."
(John 1:1-2)

At first glance, this may seem confusing. With an understanding of God's Word, we can conclude that this verse is telling us that God's Word has been with us since the beginning of time. It is apparent that the use of the word, "Word" is referring to someone when it says, "He was with God in the beginning" (vs. 2). Later in this passage (vs 14), Scripture says, "The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the One and Only, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth." The "Word" is referring to none other than our precious Jesus, Savior of the world. That is just one reason why being "in the Word" is so significant. We are drawing close to God, through Christ. Amen?

I would like to conclude with a simple verse that I pray will connect some of these dots for you. Psalm 130:5 says,

"I wait for the Lord, my soul waits and in His Word, I put my hope."

In His Word...Jesus...I put my hope. My hope is in His Word, my precious Jesus. What about you? I would love to read your comments below, and remember, each comment is entered into our drawing for a "Mommy shower" goodie giveaway!

One more thing - Proverbs 31 Ministries ran an awesome devotion today that is related to what we've been discussing; being in the Word! Check it out by clicking here.