Glorious Day

I am taking a break to write something that has been on my mind lately. In situations like mine, people tend to focus on the sadness. No doubt, my husband and I are in a sad situation, but like I have said before, there is good.

I have some amazing friends; God has used them to minister to my family in mighty ways. I thank God for them. One night recently a group of us were together. During our fellowship, we had a time of prayer. Many of our friends have small children, and most of them prayed that one day God would lead their children to Him, and save their souls. Their prayers were heartfelt, honest, and real. Their hearts were understandably heavy with the love of their children, and the desire for their security.

Tears welled up, but not for the reason you might think. I was completely overcome with relief. That is one prayer that I will never have to pray, at least not for Josh Jr.

When I was pregnant, we prayed nightly, and Josh’s prayer was always,

“God we pray that you bring our child to term, and ultimately save his or her soul.”  

God fulfilled that prayer. I was full term when we lost little Josh, and 2^nd Samuel 12:23 says it best, “I will go to him, but he will not return to me.” If it is in God’s will for us to have more children, I will undoubtedly join my dear friends in prayers for my children, submitting to the faultless will of the perfect God, whom has sustained me.

 I take great comfort in looking to the Resurrection, when Christ returns in full glory, seeking His bride. I rejoice in seeing my son there, but my heart longs for Christ, and an eternity worshipping Him. This loss here on earth, is preparing me for that glorious day, when I will be in the presence of my Savior. A time when this loss won't even compare to the glory to come. Soli Deo Gloria

Carrying Their Crosses

I had something else in mind when I sat down to write this. I had a meticulous plan to do a series of articles on people who have faced trials and shown the glory of God by doing so. They were going to be very well written and plotted out, but that has been thrown out. You will read on to find a barely edited, almost stream of conscience window to my thoughts. It just seemed right, so please read this post with grace.

Nancy Guthrie had to be the first in this series. She is a truly gifted writer and has faced the death of two of her children. If you as anyone of my friends, they will tell you she is my home girl. She is one of the best examples of obedience in suffering that I have ever seen.

 After we lost little Josh, people came from near and far to give me books and literature to read. I received Holding on to Hope, from one of my mother’s coworkers, whom I haven’t spoken with since my wedding in 2008. It is by providence that this one caught my eye. I read the book cover to cover in two days.

If I explain the book in detail, I may never finish, and I don’t want my poor writing skills to discredit her God given gift in any way, but I will tell you this; God used her to reveal things to me that have made this suffering worthwhile.

God calls us to suffering. He allowed for her two children to pass away, just as He allowed for my little Josh to never take a breath. He did this for His glory. We give Satan too much power in our lives. Satan did not do this to us, God allowed it to happen, and there has been so much good to come from it. There are days that I still want to curl up in a hole, but I am where God has ordained for me to be, and He used my son to do mighty things for His kingdom.

I can accept what God has for me with open arms because of the Christ’s death on the cross. God is still good. On the day my son died, God was still good. He is merciful and gracious, and blessed me more than I will ever deserve.

If any of you are going through a trial, even if it doesn’t involve death, I would recommend any of Nancy Guthrie’s writings. I have read most of them and if you would like any specific recommendations please let me know and I will be happy to do so.

The title of this blog is Count it all joy… for a reason. We are to accept any trial with joy, because through them we are becoming more like Christ. Thank you Nancy Guthrie, for your obedience, God has used you to grow His kingdom in a mighty way!

Count it all joy...: Happy New Year!!

Count it all joy...: Happy New Year!!: 2011 was a year full of blessings for our family. Some of those blessings were received with gladness, others were received with tears. I pr...

Happy New Year!!

2011 was a year full of blessings for our family. Some of those blessings were received with gladness, others were received with tears. I praise God for His sovereignty and look to the next year with a heart full of joy! 
I am currently working on a series titled, "Carrying Their Crosses." This will be focused on people who have glorified God and His perfect plan through their suffering. The first installment will be posted soon. 
I want to thank each and every one of you for your support through reading since this has been posted in October, the response has been more than I could have ever expected.


Soli Deo Gloria


--Halley