Friday, January 20, 2012

Reflections Of The Way Life Used To Be…

I am not a very big fan of change.  2011 for us was a BIG year of change.  We had changes in our church that were SO painful to go through…dear friends leaving after being there for years with us.  This caused an uneasiness in our hearts and caused us to question ourselves if we were where God wants us to be.

We watched friendships that were once close, all but disappear before our eyes. Contact was less and less before it just stopped.  Beloved family members no longer have relationship with us.  One so hateful and angry that his words bite and sting our hearts. Others, just no words at all where there was once a treasured friendship.

We came to the end of 2011 with hurting hearts.  We entered 2012 praying that it would be a better year.  We came into it with a new attitude.  Our only comfort in life is that God is our Father, He is our friend, He is our brother, He is the only constant, and truly the only One we can depend on.  That is as it should be, and may be why we have watched Him strip almost every relationship that was important to us away, until our only focus is Him.   Maybe those very relationships we treasured became an idol, because they kept us from the One who deserves our love, affection, and time.

What we did see God do in 2011 that was good, is that He brought us closer together as a family than we’ve ever been.  We love each other more than we ever have, the four of us, and our marriage is stronger than ever.  It has been a fight with all that came against us.

We did not come out of 2011 unscathed or unscarred.  But we came out with renewed hope and trust that God knows all things, He is in control of all things, and He has our best good in mind ALL THE TIME.  He is changing US, and molding and making us into the family that He wants us to be.  There are no 3 people on this earth that I would rather spend time with than the 3 I have right here in my home.

So, though I don’t like change,  and I reflect on how things used to be, I’m grateful for all that God has done in our lives, and all that He has taught us as a family, and as a couple.  It has deepened our affections for Christ, and made us love Him more…I wouldn’t trade that for anything we have lost in the process…

I love these 3 with all of my heart, and I’m grateful that they are part of my life.  God is good….ALL THE TIME!

PC290027

2 comments:

Deeds said...

Kath, we love you and I miss you at KS and other things online. :(

I'm here and our family prays for yours all the time. DH often asks me for updates on the various situations.

(((HUGS))) are coming at you from across the pond and prayers are flying up to the Father on your behalf.


And I'm so proud of you for hanging in there with all the garbage that has come your way last year. You have truly made lemonade out of a crate full of lemons my friend! :)

Enjoy your beautiful family! Hope you feel better soon and a great big WELL DONE to Morgan on that Africa project. Love ya - Deeds

Anita Johnson said...

I don't like change either and we have had plenty in the last 5 years too. And we have experienced friends from church leave too and it is hard not to take it personally. I try to focus on God's grace...for me and to them. I hope 2012 leaves all that behind, for both of us! And now I'm dreaming about cheesy mac and cheese!