Good Hurt, Bad Hurt - it all hurts

That hurts.

Physical, emotional, spiritual, mental…all can be hurt.

We use these phrases to comfort ourselves and others:

But it's a good hurt
It only hurts for a little while
This will only hurt a little bit
The hurt was worth it
God can heal the hurt

Truth? Hurt hurts when you're going through it. Period.

I don't care if it is a 'good hurt' that 'only lasts a short time' and was 'worth it in the end'. Hurt hurts. I don't need to shower this post with examples of how life hurts us. You all have your own stories, trials, and situations that are either personal hurt or something with a loved one that makes you hurt for them. The only common point - hurt hurts when you're in the middle of it.

The pain of fear, rejection, unworthiness, feeling unloved, punishment, betrayal, harsh words, harm, actions, poor choices, our past……….

But Christ. A turning point, our salvation, our refuge.

I hurt because of betrayal, but Christ says 'vengeance is mine'. (Romans 12:19)

I hurt because of the fighting, but Christ says 'The Lord will fight for you, and you have only to be silent.' (Exodus 14:14)

I hurt because of harsh words spoken against me, but Christ says 'Love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you.' (Matthew 5:44)

I just hurt Lord, but Christ says 'come to me, all who labor and are heavy lade, and I will give you rest…For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.' (Matthew 11:28,30)

I hurt alone, but Christ says 'when I sit in darkness, the Lord will be a light to me'. (Micah 7:8)

Hold fast to the promises Christ makes to us through His word. He is a God of justice and of love. He will hold those who hurt us accountable (and hold us accountable in how we react and respond).

Praising even in hurtful MOMents…
Rachel

Tuesdays at 10 am

I'm guessing most people know what happens at 10 am on the first Tuesday of each month. Especially those of us living in "tornado alley". Yep…since kindergarden, we are raised ready to assume the dreaded position in the school hallways. Looking back, I'm mortified that I put my head so close to the vomit and saw-dust laden linoleum floor and incredibly thankful I do not have some awful communicable disease. At the same time, I was required to put my hands behind my neck. As if a first grader's little hands can ward off flying debris from a category 5 tornado…but that's another post for a different day! 

So…the point. I'm heading to church this past Sunday (obviously not a Tuesday and not 10 am) and I see a tornado siren just standing there at attention, ready to warn. It's the only purpose that siren has, to be tested routinely and to fulfill his calling when the time is right! So many lessons…so little time. But let's unpack a couple I feel God is speaking. 

We must be ready. Must. 

Ready for what though? Well, let's dive into my favorite well-worn (but still sharp!) Sword of the Spirit and find the answers!

Ready for….

Jesus Christ to come back

• Therefore you also must be ready, for the Son of Man is coming at an hour you do not expect. -Matthew 24:44
• Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour. -Matthew 25:13
• Be watchful, stand firm in the faith, act like men, be strong. -1 Corinthians 16:13

a Harvest or Giving a Reason for your Faith

• Go to the ant, O sluggard; consider her ways, and be wise. Without having any chief, officer, or ruler, she prepares her bread in summer and gathers her food in harvest. -Proverbs 6:6-8
• (Pretty humbling to be told to act like an ant…guess I'll go marching one by one hoorah hoorah…)
• But in your hearts, honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.  -1 Peter 3:15

So…I guess my prayer should be that of a tornado siren. Being confident in where I am placed, that I can do the most good. That my location is strategic and well-planned by someone who knows much more than me. I can stand up against and weather storms. I can absolutely count on being tested routinely. And I want to be ready to act when needed, ready to share with others about what's to come. 

Ready and waiting for my MOMent…

Rachel

To Be Content

Contentment - achievable in this ever-changing world? A form of laziness? An excuse?

Take your pick…but I believe it's a high calling from our God. In my planned one-year Bible read-through (and yes…I'm behind, but still going!), I am currently in Philippians. As I read chapter 4, verse I found this:

I am not saying this because I am in need, for I have learned to be content whatever the circumstances. I know what it is to be in need, and I know what it is to have plenty. I have learned the secret of being content in any and every situation, whether well fed or hungry, whether living in plenty or in want. I can do all this through him who gives me strength. 

~Philippians 4:11-13

Beautiful, inspiring words written by one of my favorites, Paul.  He had grand faith and little faith. He was strong and weak. He struggled…just like me. I just didn't do it in a Roman prison, he did. If he can be 'content' in chains, I can be content whatever my circumstance! 

Watch a toddler play…you'll learn about contentment. Buy him expensive toys that takes hours of labor to figure out which screw goes into "part A" and where the heck did "part B" go…and he'll play in the box it came in. Buy him the latest trendy shoes and name-brand fashion…and he'll remove the shoes and be content to run barefoot and roll around in the grass. (Maybe toddler girls are different?!? :) ).  Search Pinterest for the latest and greatest toddler activity until your mouse batteries run dead…but he'll still be content to watch a piece of round chalk roll down the driveway and disappear into a day lily. He's fine just being around the ones he loves…content. 

I recently heard as parents, we are given (God-willing) about 938 weeks until they turn 18 and leave home. That's not a lot of time to be worried about stuff that won't matter in 939 weeks. Instead, today, I choose to focus on the stuff that matters now and to be content with what I do have to offer and what I get to do with my kids. After all, I've already lost 113 of those with my Graham and 9 of those with my Emmett.  I'll find contentment in chalk drawings with purple leaves thanks to the help of a two year old or in tracing little feet praying they always walk in His way or reminding my son (for the 230974th time) that we use our two God-given ears to listen. 

Whether you turn to the right of to the left, your ears will hear a voice behind you, 

saying, "This is the way; walk in it."

~Isaiah 30:21

Contentment is now seen as a high calling that I can press on towards while claiming his promises:

I have His help to settle the unsettled places in my heart (Isaiah 26:3-4)
I am lead to and can rest besides quiet waters (Psalm 23)
I owe it all to Him (1 Timothy 6:6-7)

In a world of constant status updates, pinterest posts, and an overwhelming struggle to compare to others…I choose to be content in my MOMents I'm given….

Rachel

PS - I do love me a good Pinterest post!! :)