Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?" So they took away the stone. Then Jesus looked up and said, "Father, I thank you that you have heard me. I knew that you always hear me, but I said this for the benefit of the people standing here, that they may believe that you sent me."
John 11:40-42
God is so much kinder, wiser and nearer than we can even fathom. A couple of years ago, I would never have believed that I would be taking not only 1 but 2 children to see the ocean for the first time. Looking at these pictures from our recent trip, reminded me that we belong to a God who is not only faithful but is also full of wonderful suprises. His plans are so much greater than the ones we try to draw out for him. I know this to be true because I have tried to create many of my own blueprints for life. Some have actually turned out pretty close to what I planned. Some have been edited a little, with only a few improvements made. While others have been completely crumpled up and sent back to the drawing board.
As we were going through the trials of infertility, I would often think about the story of Lazarus. I, like Mary and Martha, wanted Jesus just to show up and fix what was broken. I know that just as Jesus wept in empathy for Mary and Martha, he also wept with me. But, I know that He allowed my sorrow, as he did the loved ones of Lazarus, because he knew the rest of the story.
I believe that sometimes God wants to bring us to a place where the only happy ending to our story can be attributed, without question, to His miralous glory. I also believe that God has to smile a little as he weeps with us, for He knows the sweeter victory that is to come.
Thank you Lord for crumpling up the blueprints I created for my family and reworking them to bring me greater happiness and you greater glory.
By the way, this song, Made me Glad by Hillsong, is the song I used to play over and over as I knelt in the room that I had chosen to be our nursery and begged God to literally show up. It is a beautiful reminder of what Psalms describes to be the wonderful God that we are able to call Abba Father.
4 comments:
This really moved me. I have been really drained these past few weeks for various reasons. Your blog was just what I needed to hear to help boost my spirits. Thank you for sharing this. It has helped me more than you know. Your commitment to your faith and your amazing ability to share that with others is very inspiring. Hope all is well. As always, I LOVE seeing pictures of the little ones. God Bless You! Leigh Anne :)
That is so beautiful, Kristen. Thanks for sharing your heart and allowing other's to see the glory that God has personally shown you!
God is so faithful.
I just love you! Thank you so much for reminding me I'm not the only one going through the trying times of having children. I completely trust God and His perfect timing, I just need to be reminded and encouraged sometimes :) You and your family are such a blessing to me!
Who took those beautiful family pics??
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