Ladies,
You're going to get a bit of a "combined" blog post today. Both of us have contributed and combined our thoughts into what will hopefully flow as an understandable read. As we 'switch' back and forth between author voices you'll see the font change between italics and normal font.
I totally was amazed the first time that I read this book what a dark start it seems to have. Ann jumps right into the tragedy that has defined so much of her life, her thought process, her struggles with her perception of God and His work.
In the middle of our own times of despair and desperation we can find ourselves in the very place Ann began. Wondering, waiting, and asking, “Can there be a God…How do I live fully when life is full of hurt?" (p. 12).
And yet, God alone has freely given us his endless mercy and everlasting grace.
I can't help but wonder how many people I know, or how many times have I been that person, when I don't recognize these gifts from God because of an ugly circumstance?
As a little girl growing up in Sunday school you may have learned to sing the words , “I’ve got the joy, joy, joy, joy, down in my heart,” but as a woman, wife, and mother in the middle of busyness, dirty laundry, car pool and mud pies, it can be so difficult and almost impossible to share, or even feel, that joy. It can seem that “down in my heart,” means so deep down inside that it may never see the light of day. And yet, thankfully, we are not alone.
One thing that really struck me this week was Ann's reflection on the story of King Hezekiah and his begging for a longer life and though God granted him an extension to his life, it did result in the birth of one of Israel's most evil King... Her challenge to the reader to trust our Ultimate Author really hit home. How often do I want to tell the Author, how the story really ought to end?
Week #1
I thank the Lord for he has shown me, endless mercy, joy accessible joy and most of all we are not alone. The creator of the universe is always waiting for us to accept the invitation he gave at Calvary. He wants us to surrender ourselves and he alone will carry our burden and heal our heart ache.
As an added bonus he has given us girlfriends!
This week, I thank God for the steaming mugs of coffee that we get to share together, the thoughtfulness of my husband in not stirring his snoring, pregnant wife and choosing the couch for the night, and the joy of two little girls singing songs they've made up while shovelling the snow in our backyard.
What about you? What have you thought of Ann's story, her writing style and her journey? Have you started a gratitude journal and recorded the gifts from God that you recognized?
Lifting you in prayer,
MM and MS
