In my last post I mentioned reading a book that is absolutely challenging me and encouraging me greatly. Many have read it and I think I'm behind everyone getting to it. The reason I've put it off is another post. :-)
However, the main thing I want to share now is a quote directly from One Thousand Gifts, by Ann Voskamp. Pages 84-85 are the catalyst behind my posting at 11:35 pm.
"Every day, the gnawing...What will I lose? Health? Comfort? Hope? Eventually, I am guaranteed to lose every earthly thing I have ever possessed. When will I lose? Today? In a few weeks? How much time
have I got before the next loss?
Who will I lose? And that's definite: I will lose every single person I have ever loved. Either abruptly or eventually. All human relationships end in loss. Am I prepared for that?
Every step I take forward in my life is a loss of something in my life and I live the waiting: How and of what will I be emptied today?"
I'm pondering this still, having just read it through several times, and right now, I'm
not sure what I can say beyond what Ann has clearly stated. I think I just have to mark this time as the moment I finally, really, got it. I don't have to fear loss and dread that it may happen again to a loved one. It will happen. Spending my days dreading loss, and pleading for God to keep me from suffering another loss, or for those I love to be sheltered from loss is really unreasonable. A waste of time, almost. If I accept His sovereignty and trust in it, and also the common sense fact that these earthly bodies DO NOT LIVE FOREVER, then there is really freedom and relief. Recognizing I cannot change the inevitable is oddly enough, comforting, to me.
These facts aren't earth-shattering to most of you, I realize.
I told you I'm slow. Right now I'm just thankful to be catching on at all. :-)
Here's to a year of peace.
4 comments:
Thanks for sharing. Love you so much.
Oh my gosh!!!! I just started this book last night! It's going to be life-changing!
Jennifer....I knew from one of your earlier post that this had to be the book that you were speaking of. I haven't read the whole thing yet, but I bought it for Shelly for her birthday. I've got to read it. I have struggled for a while to keep my children, husband, extended family, and friends in open hands, lifted to God. Instead, I am at a place of clutching them so tightly and letting my mind be consumed with fear, worry, what ifs, and whens. I am living in sin with this. It is a constant battle that I know can be won if I will take every thought captive and walk in obedience. So, pray for me. I do trust God, but in this area, I sure am not living like it. Uuuuuuggghhhhh - I am going to have to get this book for myself and let God use it to penetrate my soul. Thanks for sharing. This is Stacy, btw. : )
I too have seen a number of people quoting from this book but still haven't read it either. You aren't last! I think I need to head to the bookstore and get a copy. Thanks for sharing this. It is kind of funny (well not really) that I'm reading this post tonight after finding out a friend of ours died yesterday leaving behind a wife and 2 young kids. He is in God's hands though and this is something that I need to cling to. We are all His and just need to trust that. Fear can just be so overwhelming! Love you!
Post a Comment