I’m reading three books right now… This seems all too common, but it’s new ground for me. I’m not used to having three different authors competing for my attention. It just leads to lots of unorganized thoughts swirling around in my head, but I think the clearest voice right now comes from Nancy Guthrie. Her book, Hearing Jesus Speak into Your Sorrow is excellent.
She lost two infants to the same rare genetic disorder. She knows sorrow. And her questions are the same questions I’ve grappled with. Why doesn’t Jesus heal today like He did when He walked the earth? How do we reconcile His promises of protection and peace in the midst of hurricanes and terrorists (and brain injuries)? Who is responsible for my sorrow… me? Satan? God? Did God just allow the accident to happen – or did He ordain it?
These are hard questions, and she gives satisfying answers. She writes that it is our eternal home that is most important to God. My honest reaction to that reminds me of Kate whining when she has to wait ’til after dinner to get her desert. Seriously, child? Don’t you have any concept of delayed gratification? Well, I guess the apple doesn’t fall too far from… me.
Which leads me to the 2nd book I’m reading… Ann Voskamp’s One Thousand Gifts. Her book is all about how to “Live Fully Right Where You Are.” It’s a great book about how thankfulness opens the door to joy, but I’m too busy whining (like Kate) to experience very much gratitude- at least for now…
My third book is a Romanian pastor’s doctoral thesis on suffering, matyrdom and the rewards of heaven… He argues that suffering on earth advances the Kingdom of Heaven – the prime example being Jesus, Himself. If we are called to suffer and/or die for the Kingdom, it is a great Eternal victory! There’s that word again… eternal.
I’ve actually learned alot about eternal perspective from Canon. I think I’ll write about that tomorrow. Good night for now…
Crayons In My Water 
Good Night, Kathryn,
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
On a different note: I asked about Anne’s reading vocabulary and etc., because I was going to write her some stories using them….to help her grow in that area, since I see it’s a continued prayer-request.
I know time is limited on your end. Bless you.
Much Love, Warm Support and Prayer-Songs, always.
Blessings,
Lu
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Lu, That is an awesome idea!!
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It is both surreal yet more in touch reality to understand things from an eternal perspective. It’s not easy to be “stuck” in the reality of the kingdom; yet paradoxically, it is freeing to suddenly see the mirror less dark/cloudy. In intense suffering, it sometimes feels our hand is forced to see the long view. Yet, even those who do not know suffering, are still in the same reality. Ironically, we who suffer deeply have the blessing of seeing the whole of things so clearly and learn to trust in God with an intense searing trust –in all it’s bittersweet truth. It all seems so clear from the vantage point of suffering: Creation, God’s promises, and the gospel. When the wrestling begins to subside, slowly everything around us makes plain this plan. We all come to the same end. It is on this planet, where we dwell in free will, that we choose to love and know God. I would much rather traverse the earth and spend my time here in touch with what I have learned through great pain, then to skim the surface; because in that pain, I have learned the truth of God. And it continues to be a circuitous journey fraught with questions. May we all be there to continue to hold each other up, as the weary hands of Moses were held up by his earthly companions, when he was called to keep his hands raised by the will and Glory of God! We love you, Kathryn! Rest, rest.
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I Love Ann V’s book. I want to read it again! (hard copy this time…I did the audiobook) I’m wondering if the first book you mentioned would be good for me to read so I can better relate and minister to those I work with here in Sarajevo who have suffered so much pain.
Love you Kathryn and always, always praying for you guys. You are just amazing. I know you don’t see it, and I Know it’s God who makes you so, but through all this seeing you process and seeing you hold on to Jesus no matter how hard the storm blows…that, my friend , is encouragement to me. I love you! I leave you with the words of a song my friend wrote after her husband was tragically killed in a car accident 5 years ago:
“Bind me to the mast of Your unfailing love. Anchor me to the promise of Your peace, take my thoughts captive. And I won’t slip into the stormy sea.”
I love you!!! xoxo
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