Everlasting Arms

What a weekend!

On Saturday, I drove about an hour north of my home, to meet friends who grew up with me in my hometown church. Diane and Deb are sisters and a couple of years older than me. I always looked up to them; they were the "older teens" when I was in junior high school. We became friends because our parents were friends and Diane used to babysit for me and my younger sisters. We spent lots of time on their farm and in their pool. I still remember the taste of their mom's awesome cherry pie. Deb has the voice of an angel. She and I used to hang out together at church camp and go places with one of the youth leaders and a whole group of other teens. We have stayed in touch over the years, even with her move to Kentucky and then Tennessee, mainly through Christmas cards. Diane has stayed in our hometown. We also just "re-connected" thru Facebook.

Just last year, Deb lost her only daughter in a tragic manner. I won't go into that tragedy out of respect for her privacy....however, please know that this was sudden, unexpected and a terrible tragedy. No parent is prepared for the loss of a child. Shay was 19. Deb does have a son who is older. I did not know the story of this tragedy until this past weekend.

When we met for lunch at their favorite Adirondack restaurant, I felt as though the more than 10 years since I've seen them, had just fallen away. I think that is how it is when you are united in Christ. It really seemed like no time had passed. Except when I looked into Deb's eyes. And into Diane's. (Diane arrived at Deb's down in TN on the day that Shay died......a whole other story!). There is much pain in their eyes. And yet.....there is much hope.

Hope in God. God's arms have kept them safe this year. God's arms are everlasting and He wraps them around us when we are in the midst of grief, pain, rejection, trauma, betrayal. His arms are around us in the good times, too! But sometimes, for me, I haven't felt those arms in the midst of trials. And yet....they are there! It is the faith we have that keeps us going. The hope that keeps us pressing on in this life. I have other friends who don't, or can't, see God as their Father or who don't "feel" like His arms are wrapped around them. Perhaps they cannot imagine "sitting" on the Father's lap and being wrapped in Love. I have been there. I know what that feels like. I do NOT know what it is like to lose a child. My friend Deb has been through hell. But...she is a conqueror in Christ and she is NOT letting Satan steal her joy!

God is using Deb and Diane in a mighty way. They have a huge testimony of what God can do in the midst of tragedy and grief. Deb shared the whole story with me. I kept my tears from falling too much until I got back in my car to drive home. At one point, I had to pull off the Northway and just sob. I hadn't seen Shay since Dave and I babysat for her one weekend when she was just a toddler. We drove her up to church camp to meet Deb who was singing up there. She was a beautiful baby and I have seen pictures of her as a teen.....just gorgeous. She is in God's arms now, I believe.

And here on earth, Deb is reaching out with her own arms to embrace people who were friends of Shay. Teens and young adults are coming to know God in a personal way through this tragedy! That is Deb being a missionary! Right where she lives and works and does life.

On Sunday, our church had the big "Missions Conference". Listening to the guest missionary was inspiring. And yet I often walk away from those kinds of messages wondering just "how am I a missionary?" I know we can be one with our life right where we are. I get that. But I often feel like "are we doing any earthly good?"
And then I look at what we are involved in: teens, both Christian and unbelievers, hanging out at our house with our teen daughter; college guys being mentored by my husband; reaching out and helping neighbors in practical ways; giving financially to support people who feel led by God to go to other countries; volunteering at school events and being a witness through our actions and words; praying for people in local missions as well as "in other lands" missions, etc.

And just trying to live the life of a Christ-follower at home, at the school where I teach, at the company where my husband works, in the neighborhood, with extended family members, with other parents and with our involvement in the various ministries God has us serving in.

We ALL are missionaries if we profess Christ.

Even while in trials and tragedy....if we don't let Satan steal our joy.

If we keep our eyes on the Truth that God has us in His Everlasting Arms.

Even if we don't "feel" it.

He is the one who give us the courage to go on:

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9b

We saw a video clip at church about "heroes". Who are our heroes?

My heroes are people like Deb and Diane. They have faced horrible tragedy and yet are full of the Hope of God.They have not turned bitter or angry. Oh, yes...they dealt with all those stages of grief and had counseling. BUT...they are still walking with Jesus. They are still holding on to Him and taking those steps, one day at a time, and they know God is going to use them mightily.

My heroes are my friends who persevere no matter what:

my friend who is a single mom, working hard, praying for her children, working in her church, always willing to listen to me vent, pressing in to God even when the daily grind might get to her; doing life on her own.

my friend who leads the HizKidz Praise ministry I have often written about & that my youngest daughter just loves: she is a true hero, working her butt off for this children's ministry that brings a salvation message in each and every show that they perform, who homeschools her children and offers them opportunities and classes like I have never known any other homeschooler to do...who also has her own struggles in areas she has shared with me and yet continues to love God and presses in and shares her heart, listening to my issues, offering prayer, encouraging, being a true friend, wanting God to restore her heart....

my husband who works a job he doesn't always love, who is a great daddy to our daughters, who has a heart for missions, junior high boys, and who loves to give......

my pastor and the other leadership who give so much of their time and talents to keep the body of Believers edified, encouraged and equipped for the Kingdom of God.
and so many more people who have touched my life...and are touching others' lives in the Love of Christ....

Who are your heroes?

Are they people who know that God's Everlasting Arms are around them no matter what?

Yeah, this weekend was tough...it is tough to hear of tragedy that befalls the people I love and hold dear to my heart.

But like Deb said, "we are connected". In Christ.

And we keep pressing on....believing, knowing, that we are in His Arms.