Therefore we also, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which so easily ensnares us, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking unto Jesus, the author and finisher of our faith, who for the joy that was set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. For consider Him who endured such hostility from sinners against Himself, lest you become weary and discouraged in your souls.~ Hebrews 12:1-3
On this snowy Michigan day... I have some thoughts to share with you! We will join me for a minute or two?
We got a ton of snow! It really is so pretty! (Now for you snow-haters... don't leave me yet!) It is all my perspective! I can look out the window and see the beauty... as long as I don't have anywhere I need to go, BUT... if I don't want to be just at home... then all this snow might not be so pretty!
Perspective is my word for 2024!
Perspective - a particular attitude toward or way of regarding something; a point of view.
This morning I’m drawn to think about where we (our family) were at 3 years ago… Daddy was in the hospital… we didn’t know if he would make it home! We were taking turns staying with Mom! WOW! Lots! It seems like a lifetime ago! Even looking back… I can so clearly see God’s faithfulness in it ALL!
I said in my last post… just because the calendar turns to a new year… doesn’t mean anything will really change… except the calendar!
It is almost 4 years ago (2020) Luke’s Dad passed. The whole lockdown started. We closed the B&B and sold our house. After looking for months… we moved into a fixer-upper. Then 2021 came along… Dad got so sick… in the hospital for months. 2022... came with Luke having open-heart surgery. 2023... Chele, my sister, had her hip surgery and all the complications that went with that! My Mom fell and ended up in the hospital for weeks. She was being overmedicated, putting her in rehab for a few more weeks. Luke’s Mom passed after a very long illness.
If your perspective is just on all these super hard things… discouragement reigns!
BUT this is also what happened… Dad O’s relief from sickness and pain. Our house being sold at a good price. God giving us a “new” home of His faithfulness. Dad was told he would never walk without a walker or be off oxygen, but he proved the doctors wrong. With Luke’s surgery in the doctor found the problem (which could have killed him) in a routine physical. He recovered remarkably from surgery. Chele is getting around with her new hip just fine and each day the complications caused by the infection and subsequent treatment are getting better. My Mom is doing really so much better. And Mom O is healthy and happy in Heaven.
Just look at all that God has brought us through! I know I can still trust Him to take care of us… that is encouragement for my soul!
The part of Hebrews 12:1 that talks about the “great cloud of witnesses”… some see that as faithful people that are mentioned in the Bible… I believe also that it can just be those faithful saints that have gone on before us… those that led us to Christ… like my Grandma Bessie. Renee, my sister, reminded me today that Grandma always said, “It’s a great life if you don’t weaken!” We laugh at that, but I truly believe that was Grandma’s funny way of telling us that our faith needs to be strong and when it is faith in Christ… we will be filled with His strength to endure!
So if you are without power right now, if feels like sickness is non stop, your barn roof has collapsed... it just seems like one thing after another is happening... remember... BUT… God is always faithful… even in this fallen world we live in… on Him we can depend! It doesn’t make for a perfect life! It does make for a life of looking to Jesus to sustain us! I don’t even want to imagine what life would or could be like without Jesus!
Just some thoughts!
In His Grace, carin
留言