Things I have learned

I am not a "reader." In fact, I think I made it to my college years with only a handful of books read. Within the past 3 months, I have read 5 books and working on my sixth. Most of them deal with grief and most of them are written by mothers. I am amazed at how my feelings can be described so well in some of these books. Some of the emotions I feel have been felt by women for ages, and it is comforting to read that I am not alone.

Here are some ideas that I like from these books:
Far from [Noah], I feel so lonely. I have to be close to God, or I can't do this. The important things are very clear, yet I can make myself deaf. Oh, God, let this not be wasted pain. Let this time work in me the work you intended. Let my baby not have died in vain.

God determined to take him to His home at the age of [8 days]; the means was incidental. [Noah's event in the womb], was incidental. It was one of many ways to die. If God is sovereign, these phrases are not merely fatalistic. They present actual reality. God counted the days of [Noah's] life - the hairs on his head. The breaths in his body. The number was finished. [Noah] lived 100% of his life. He was complete.

... death makes us assess the meaning and worth of life. Also helpful is the reminder that one hundred out of one hundred people die. 100%. If it happens to everyone, you are not being persecuted.

Job says to his wife, "Should we only accept good things from the hand of God and never anything bad?" We have an unspoken expectation that a good God will bring only what we consider to be good things into our lives. We never expect him to allow and perhaps even bring difficulty into our lives.

Have you ever noticed that people who suffer are marked with a beauty, a deepening, a transformation? This only occurs, however, when they can enter the suffereing and look around for God in the midst of it. Otherwise, they are marked with bitterness and emptiness.

God does not allow meaningless suffering. If God has allowed suffering into your life, it is for a purpose. A good purpose. A holy purpose.

We have to trust God with everything we have, to open ourselves and say, God it is all yours (my life, my children's lives) to do with as you will.

Maybe I should read more often?

Wristbands: Ira Lester Hays

At first I thought the fad of silicone wristbands was a little silly. Probably because I had not found a cause that meant enough to me. Now I have. 500 wristbands have been made for baby Ira. It is a physical reminder of a little boy who is still fighting. It is a way to show others that you care about someone other than yourself. And it is a way to tell someone about the hope and faith we have because of Jesus Christ. Green silicon wristbands are available with the inscription IRA LESTER HAYS. The bands are being sold for $5, but if you would like to donate more, that option is available. All the money from the sales (minus cost of stamp) will go to Joe and Laura Hays.

I believe that if you are still looking at our blog, that you have a love for God. And because we share that, will you please help us as we support a family who continues to struggle, a family who still needs our prayers and encouragement.

Buy your band today: www.irahays.blogspot.com