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Bread for the Journey



Hope Amongst  Adversity

January has been a month of joy and adversity that I never would've imagined.  It all happened so fast.  On January 19th, I received the most beautiful 'face time' with my son-in-law Joe, letting us know with high hopes that he and Mikki, and Cannon had received all their Canadian documents allowing entry to Canada. They would be coming to celebrate our birthdays in February.  Excitement grew over the days as I so happily shared this news with family and friends.  Plans to celebrate were in place.

Then came the shuddering call on January 24th that there was an accident and that Joe was no longer with us.  His life had been taken to protect others.  You can read more about the details if you are interested.  
Yes, we have cried and mourned the loss of this wonderful family member.  Our hearts have been broken.
Why?  Why? Why would God take a charming young father, husband, uncle, and son?  How could this happen to our daughter?
Their life together was short-lived, and they did not waste their three years. It was a moment in time.
She knew that Joe and she had been living their dreams. And she responds, "I have no regrets."

Again, I was drawn back to the old scriptures from Isaiah 43:1-3 The promise that God will be with us through the dark hours.  Even though we know we will go through difficult times in our lives, walking with Jesus will make the load lighter. He promised protection and gives renewed hope to all. Now that we are walking through this time, it's sometimes hard to accept and understand all these promises.

But now, this is what the Lord says—
    he who created you, Jacob,
    he who formed you, Israel:
“Do not fear, for I have redeemed you;
    I have summoned you by name; you are mine.
When you pass through the waters,
    I will be with you;
and when you pass through the rivers,
    they will not sweep over you.
When you walk through the fire,
    you will not be burned;
    the flames will not set you ablaze.
For I am the Lord your God,
    the Holy One of Israel, your Savior;

Ah ... yes, I know there is grace and a turning corner came to me this week when a dear friend showed me the difference between 'why' and 'how'.  That gives a new perspective doesn't it?  How should I carry on in my brokenness?  How does it help us to hear the promises of God? How does my daughter raise a young man without her husband?  How do I as a mother give support to a daughter's brokenness?  How do we live this one broken life as Ann Voskamp would say?
What did Jesus do with his brokenness?  Instead of drawing back to protect Himself, He gives thanks, breaks, and gives away what he has to give.  Is this something possible for me?

"The seed breaks to give us the wheat. The soil breaks to give us the crop. The sky breaks to give us rain.  The wheat breaks to give us the bread.  The bread breaks to give us the feast ... Could it be that we, too, must fall to the ground, break, and die to ever bear much fruit?" -- Ann Voskamp
Being a farmer's wife and growing wheat on our farm, I can totally identify with Ann on this quote.

God, I thank you for your promises to be with us all the time and to walk alongside us giving new HOPE as we travel these uncharted waters.

Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow may never come.  But we have this moment today.


17 comments:

  1. Thank you for sharing from your heart. You bless us. May you and your daughter continue to find peace and encouragement in our LORD.

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  2. I am so sorry to read this posting and sorry for your loss. Love and hugs from a fellow Canadian

    Love Jeanne

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  3. Beautiful words - praise the Lord for giving us Hope! I think of you and your family so often. May you be blessed and comforted as you face this tragic loss. Huge hugs.

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  4. My heart goes out to you. May God continue to give your daughter and your family peace during this "storm".

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  5. My heartfelt condolences on the loss of your precious son. I am so sorry.

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  6. Sad news .... yet, your words each Sunday lighten my week.... I know God is with you through this chapter. Glory to God!

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  7. So very sorry for your loss, Marg. Joe sounded like a wonderful man. May you take comfort in your faith and know that Joe is now in the loving arms of our Lord.

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  8. Thank you for sharing your Faith and the Wisdom derived from it. I pray you the Lord's healing
    as only He can bestow to you and your Family.

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  9. Such Encouraging words emerging from the midst of unimaginable pain. Thank you for sharing from the depths of you heart, Marg. Our prayers continue for your family.

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  10. So sorry to read this sad news. I pray for all of you, for grace and comfort and healing.

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  11. Only in God would you find the hope you expressed in your heartfelt words, Marg ... you know my prayers are on going for you and Mikki .. May God be your daily 'HOW' ...

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  12. Thank you, Marg for allowing us a peek into your deep pain. I pray that God contiues to hold your dear family in His care and shows you how to go on from here. May His plans unfold in love and grace.

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  13. My heart aches for your and your family's loss. God thoughts and plans are higher than ours, yet it is not easy to hold on to that belief and to accept and to move forward . Do know we are praying for you to find comfort and courage with your Saviour at the helm on this rough sea of grief.

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  14. I'm sorry for your loss. We lost one of our pastors this afternoon. He was fine on Thursday. Always hard. I know you and your family will be there for your daughter.

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  15. I am so very sorry! My heart breaks for you and I will be praying for you and your precious family.

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  16. So very sorry for your loss. Thank you for sharing your story with us. He never leaves us or forsakes us. We may never have answers on this side of Heaven but we carry on trusting Him.

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  17. Thank you for sharing your personal heartbreak. My husband and I are also grieving a loss right now and every time I hear another Christ follower share their heart about trusting God when life is hard, it encourages me so very much. My faith and heart is encouraged by your post. I pray you will see God's blessings in this hardship just as we have. God bless you.

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