We dance the dance of life.
The newly engaged daughter tries on wedding gowns and we laugh and make new memories.
The years flash before me as I watch her walk out in dress after dress.
Seeking the perfect match.
Searching.
Waiting.
Hoping.
Her dreams are before her.
Time, continues to march on.
A new journey.
Hope.
I look at these children of ours.
One married with two children.
Making a difference in this world teaching.
One, newly engaged and chasing the big bad Covid in any way she can.
Another with his own business; making his own path, in his own way.
The next to youngest focused on her career; working hard despite the hardship of Corona.
Pressing on.
Pressing through.
Always with a big blue eyed, smile.
And the youngest.
Daring.
Adventurous.
Hard working.
The most sensitive.
And then there’s one more.
One whose story abruptly ended.
His journey on earth ceased.
And so for seven years, as time marches on, we have walked each step in surrendered grace.
Bowing low to the King of Kings.
Opening our hands so that He and He alone may pour into the ache and searing pain.
He has held our tears as we weep for what is no longer.
He has listened to our cries and as we long to bring honor and glory to his name.
These years have not been easy.
They have been riddled with cancer and the death of a loving nephew,
the loss of both of our barns and most recently a deep, deep depression.
These years have been cruel and without mercy.
Yet.
God has never left our side.
Isaiah 41:10
So do not fear, for I am with you;
do not be dismayed, for I am your God.
I will strengthen you and help you;
I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
We have continued to search and reach for God at every turn.
We haven’t liked this road.
We wouldn’t want anyone to have to endure this.
We do not have that choice.
We need to dig deep.
To trust.
We need to open our eyes to what God has in store for us;
With open hands.
We have not been promised a life with out pain or hardship.
James tells us. . When we face trials of many kinds. . . not if, to count it joy.
James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds,
because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 4
Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, not lacking anything.
Joy isn’t this happy, go lucky feeling.
It is the state of knowing, without a shadow of a doubt that your peace and strength come from outside you.
That God is doing a work, even as time continues to march on.
He is working his purpose out.
A plan you can’t see; but knowing that all the pieces are held by Him.
There is purpose in pain.
There is hope.
There is laughter and more memories.
There are moments to behold and work to recognize, time is marching on.
The joy is in knowing that God is doing the work, and our job is to be faithful to His cause.
He works the plan and we work to have faith in His plan.
May we all be faithful.
As we approach the Anniversary of Elijah’s death, and time continues to march on, we want to share his testimony again with you.
God gave us the sweetest gift in this video.
This was recorded Sunday, June 9, 2013.
God would call Elijah home just a few weeks later on Sunday, July 28, 2013.
It was a beautiful summer night.
Elijah’s life was full and rich.
He had a future.
He would leave for Parris Island for boot camp on September 2, 2013, which would have been his 18th birthday.
He never made that appointment.
God had a higher calling for our boy.
Listen to his words.
Find hope in these unsettling times.
Reach out to us if you want to talk or have questions about living a life surrendered to the King of Kings.
