Tuesday, June 27, 2006
A new chapter
"Be still and know that I am God: I will be exalted among the heathen, I will be exalted in the earth." Psalm 46:10
The memorial celebration in memory of Malcom's life was yesterday. It was all that I had hoped for and truly a wonderful tribute to a life well lived. He loved the Lord, loved souls, loved me, loved his children. He was my best friend and it will take great grace from God to navigate through the next months and years.
In the days since Malcom's homegoing, I have coped by being busy taking care of one detail or another. Friends and family have surrounded me, done their best to see that I was not left alone unless I wanted to be, lovingly supporting me each day. But the "busy-ness" cannot take away the lonliness, nor answer my questions about the future. Today I sensed God nudging me into a new chapter of my life.
I have found great comfort in the Psalms these past months. Psalm 46 is especially meaningful to me. It begins with that great declaration: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear..." (vs. 1-2) I have sought refuge in the Lord. I have felt His strength lift up my weakend spirit. He has been there for me through every trial, every heartache. Then in verse 10 God says, "Be still and know that I am God." Whatever the future holds, whatever plans and persuits await me, these are all in God's hands. I will be still for now and allow Him to comfort, strengthen, guide. The new chapter begins by waiting on God.
The memorial celebration in memory of Malcom's life was yesterday. It was all that I had hoped for and truly a wonderful tribute to a life well lived. He loved the Lord, loved souls, loved me, loved his children. He was my best friend and it will take great grace from God to navigate through the next months and years.
In the days since Malcom's homegoing, I have coped by being busy taking care of one detail or another. Friends and family have surrounded me, done their best to see that I was not left alone unless I wanted to be, lovingly supporting me each day. But the "busy-ness" cannot take away the lonliness, nor answer my questions about the future. Today I sensed God nudging me into a new chapter of my life.
I have found great comfort in the Psalms these past months. Psalm 46 is especially meaningful to me. It begins with that great declaration: God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore will not we fear..." (vs. 1-2) I have sought refuge in the Lord. I have felt His strength lift up my weakend spirit. He has been there for me through every trial, every heartache. Then in verse 10 God says, "Be still and know that I am God." Whatever the future holds, whatever plans and persuits await me, these are all in God's hands. I will be still for now and allow Him to comfort, strengthen, guide. The new chapter begins by waiting on God.
13 Comments:
Carol,
Your comments made me think of the phrase in the Bible that says "they that wait upon the Lord, shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as an eagle..." Praying for you
Sue M
Aunt Carol,
It was so good to see you on monday and the kids and your grandchildren - what a beautiful bunch they are! I just wanted you to know that I am committed to praying for you...even in the months ahead, when the reality of life sets in, I promise to be lifting you up. I have already written myself little reminders in my calender...too bad I have to do that - but I know myself! :) I love this blog...it has meant so much to me, and been such an encouragement. Please keep it going - and someday, I think you should publish it as a devotional book. The written word is definitely a strength of yours. What an incredible encouragement it would be to those who are and will someday walk down this road as you have.
I love you and commit myself to you in prayer.
Love,
Shelly
Blessed Carol,
I will pray for you,and your Family daily! But especially for you and the NEW BEGGINGS of your life. I will miss Malcom,s smile and his love of people. No words can make your heart hurt less Just remember that you are loved and watched over every day and in every way of your life!
If I can help you in any way please let me know. I will be there if or when ever you want.
Love ,
Dixie Grover
Dear Carol,
The new beginning of waiting is the hardest for me as I am sure it will be for you. But as always, you have found strength and guidence in God's Word for yourself and provided it for hundreds, possibly thousands of others around the world in this blog. Through this journey, God has provided a way for you to have a ministry you may have never thought about and you have touched so many with the grace and love that God offers along with the instruction for us all to face each day.
We all cared very deeply about Malcom, but it was about you and God's watch care and guidence as well.
Please do not stop the blog Carol. It will be therapuetic for you and it is a ministry so needed by many others that heard the voice of God not only through His word, but your testimony in the blog as well.
So many care as much for you and what is happening in your life as we did in updates about Malcom. Please continue to keep the world updated about your life and please continue to minister to many through this medium. It will only be in heaven that you will actually see all the people that you both have touched through this journey and blog.
God is SOOO good! He will see you through and will continue to use you till' He comes.
Thank you for your life, friendship and love.
Please accept these words of encouragement as an expression of unending love and friendship from the many that have followed this blog and myself.
May God's Spipirt touch and warm you today where man's word's cannot reach.
Brother Rick M
Carol,
I am continuing to pray for you and your family always, that God will comfort and sustain you in the months and years ahead. I'd like to join others in expressing my hope that you will continue writing here, I have been so blessed and encouraged by the words God has led you to write this past year! Thank you so much and God bless you,
Libby S.
Carol, Please continue your updates. They let all of your loved ones know how to pray for and your family. I wish I could have been at the service on Monday, but we were able to pray for Gods grace for you. We continue to lift you up in prayer as you make decisions for the future. Much love,
Jo and Bruce
Dear Carol,
We know that everying has its
meaning in God.
2 Corinthians 4:8 Troubles are round us on every side, but we are not shut in; things are hard for us, but we see a way out of them; 4:9 We are cruelly attacked, but not without hope; we are made low, but we are not without help; 4:10 In our bodies there is ever the mark of the death of Jesus, so that the life of Jesus may be seen in our bodies
Suzanne
Praying for you as you are "waiting upon Him". God has His plans and I know you choose to be involved in them.
Love you, Caroline T.
Hi Carol,
I've been checking in to see if you were still here, and when I opened it, it was blank for several days...SO glad to see you're back! I've always told you right from the beginning, that your words have been an inspiration to me and is a real gift that you have....in fact, the last paragraph you wrote I forwarded to someone very dear to me who I know needed those very words right now. Thanks for being here. George and I will continue to uphold you in prayer. Even in the midst of your pain, I can see God's hands will be guiding you to new beginnings....plus keep the blog which you've already had going....such a blessing!
All our love and prayers,
Marlys, for George, too
Carol,
I too was glad to see you are still writing. I agree with Shelly and wonder too if your new chapter might include the written word. God will let you know when it is time. You are already an encouragement to those who walk behind you. My husband's cancer was discovered a little earlier and God has chosen to leave him on this earth a little longer, still I have been where you have been (a year ago we were told three months). It is difficult to understand God's timing..and to accept it when we don't.. still.. he is God, Almighty, Jehovah..and we can trust.
I hope someday to meet and know you. I met Amy years ago through Ann Geier, tho I doubt she would remember.. My prayers will continue to be that God will comfort ..and use you .. as he already has.. In Christ, Kathy in Kansas
My Friend,
I cold not get this page for a couple days. Then after I had read my Scriptures this morning I opened it up - there is the very same Psalm I just read. How wonderful and how close to share in His Word. I know His Hand is upon you and He will lead you. I know you and Malcom made many decisions before he left. My love and prayers are with you.
As always, Lovingly,
M
參加台灣的追思禮拜,深深的體會方牧師在天國要我們加油,讓我們除了思念之外,心理更多了平和.
參加台灣的追思禮拜,深深的體會方牧師在天國要我們加油,讓我們除了思念之外,心理更多了平和.
Steven Betty Staphanie Shara
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