God is good!

I receive an email several times a week from Randy Alcorn's Eternal Perspective. Today, I was very encouraged by what he wrote because it is something that I have struggled with over the years and I know that many of you that read this blog also struggle too.

So, forgive me for not writing my own thoughts today. His were too good not to share. I also found it very interesting that when I read this I had just returned from the bookstore where I had picked up his latest book, If God Is Good. I hope you find this as encouraging as I did.

When we lock our eyes on our cancer, arthritis, fibromyalgia, diabetes, or disability, self-pity and bitterness can creep in. When we spend our days rehearsing the tragic death of a loved one, we will interpret all life through the darkness of our suffering. How much better when we focus upon Jesus!

“Let us fix our eyes on Jesus... who for the joy set before him endured the cross.” The following verse commands us, “Consider him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart” (Hebrews 12:2–3).

However great our suffering, his was far greater. If you feel angry at God, what price would you have him pay for his failure to do more for people facing suffering and evil? Would you inflict capital punishment on him? You’re too late. No matter how bitter we feel toward God, could any of us come up with a punishment worse than what God chose to inflict upon himself?

Tim Keller writes,

If we again ask the question: “Why does God allow evil and suffering to continue?” and we look at the cross of Jesus, we still do not know what the answer is. However, we know what the answer isn’t. It can’t be that he doesn’t love us. It can’t be that he is indifferent or detached from our condition. God takes our misery and suffering so seriously that he was willing to take it on himself.... So, if we embrace the Christian teaching that Jesus is God and that he went to the Cross, then we have deep consolation and strength to face the brutal realities of life on earth.

If you know Jesus, then the hand holding yours bears the calluses of a carpenter who worked with wood and carried a cross for you. When he opens his hand, you see the gnarled flesh of the nail scars on his wrists. And when you think he doesn’t understand your pain, realize that you don’t understand the extent of his pain. Love him or not, he has proven he loves you.

If you hate suffering, does it make sense to choose eternal suffering when God has already suffered so much to deliver you from it?

In your most troubled moments, when you cry out to God, “Why have you let this happen?” picture the outstretched hands of Christ, forever scarred... for you.

Do those look like the hands of a God who does not care?



(Excerpted from my book If God Is Good.)

Thank you for your continued prayers for our family and your notes and emails of encouragement. Kevin and I are leaving tomorrow for a few days of R & R while his parents hold down the fort. Please keep all of us in your prayers.

In Him,

Carrie

December 2009 Pictures

Christmas with the Greens

Cannon's Christmas party

Christmas Eve...our front yard!

2nd snow of the year!

Christmas Day

Nannie and Grace....celebrating Christmas with my parents

Grace sleeping...this is how she spent much of December

Happy New Year!

Do not be anxious about anything

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God, and the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus." Phillipians 4:6-7

Please forgive me for letting so many weeks go by without writing anything. I have often thought about writing but have not been able to find the words to put on paper. As Grace continues to get older, I find it harder and harder to share with you in detail what is going on in her life. She covets her privacy. I hope you will understand.

What we do continue to need from you is prayer. Life looks different in our home than in most homes of a 9 year old little girl but thankfully God is not surprised by that. Most days I take comfort in knowing that everyday was planned out for us before even one of them came into being. But, unfortunately, some days, I let fear and anxiety get the better of me and I begin to question. These are the days that I take my eyes off of Jesus...these are the days when I am the most sad.

This evening I watched Grace experience this same thing for the first time in her life. Something, she has never experienced. She is really growing up. Thankfully, I had spent the better part of my day reading my Bible; God had equipped me for what was ahead! As we faced some really hard things, we leaned heavily on the Lord and were comforted by His word. Most importantly, we were reminded that we must give our fear over to God and let him do the worrying. As I held Grace until she fell asleep, I kept reminding her of His words, the same words that He had me read today. God is so good!

Thank you for continuing to pray for our family!

We love each of you,

Carrie