I had dinner with my friend Jessica Esch on Thursday night. She is an incredibly beautiful, talented, smart woman. We got to know each other a little better & I was so grateful for the time spent with her. Our blogs share similar joys and frustrations with ourselves and this life. :)
She is currently going through a couple of transitions. In fact, this weekend she was going to start moving her stuff from her apartment into her newly renovated house!
And not 24 hours after our dinner, Jessica's apartment burned down. She lost everything including her Border Collie, Sammy Mac.
I sobbed for two hours. Jessica was one of the many friends that showed up the first day to help us gut our home & comfort us. I wanted to hug her, I thought about all of the beautiful clothes she had, her pictures, her memories, & her sweet dog. I can't imagine the intense pain she felt watching it all go up in flames. I realized that my meeting with Jess was ordained by God.
But that is not the only reason why I was crying. My faith was tested. Do I truly believe what I told Jess on Thursday?
Do I have faith in God through the uncertain, not just the predictable?
This incredible song written by Benji & Jenna Cowart has been speaking to my heart during this time. Please take a listen and take a moment to pray for my friend Jess.
"Blessed are you who’ve chosen to choose
The right way no matter the cost
You do what you say when you say what you do
Not counting the gain or the loss
And blessed are they who hold on to faith
When everything’s coming undone
Day after day you stand in the face
Of the wind and the rain and the storm
They will see God
They will see God
Blessed are you the cheated and used
Your heart is so broken and spent
And though you could run
Grace overcomes
And you choose to forgive once again
And blessed are they who hold on to faith
When everything’s coming undone
Day after day you stand in the face
Of the wind and the rain and the storm
They will see God
They will see God
There will be hope for the hopeless
Rest for the weary
A day when all wrong is made right
There will be light in the darkness
His love is returning
And finally faith will be sight
They will see God
They will see God
They will see God
They will see God
Blessed are you who’ve chosen to choose
The right way no matter the cost"
It is so incredibly difficult to really understand God in those situations- earthquakes, wars, tornadoes, fires. We wouldn't be human if we didn't ask why...but God also wouldn't be God if we could understand all of His ways. It is absolutely in those moments when it is difficult that we have to reach back on all we know to be true about God from the intimacy we've developed with Him before the storm hit and really from all the past storms that He faithfully saw us through- that He IS good, that He IS loving, that He IS kind, that He IS present even in the most difficult moments, and that He IS ultimately working all things out for our good and His glory. This verse has been a tremendous source of comfort this week as I've prayed through some things: Here on earth you will have many trials and sorrows. But take heart, because I have overcome the world. John 16:33 TAKE HEART, sweet friend. Love you!
ReplyDeleteIt's SO hard when people you love have losses or trials that are similar to your own experience, because you know exactly how awful it is and you just feel so helpless. I just prayed that God would provide for your friend and be near to her!
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