Gaudete in the Dark


This post was supposed to go up last night but a certain little doula baby (my last one for quite a while, I think!) decided to make his entrance in the wee hours of this morning so I was otherwise engaged.  So permit the day late post, please :)

We are told this Sunday to rejoice.  The time is near.  It's not here yet but our joyful waiting will soon be fulfilled.  It is a sweet reminder when the waiting can be so hard that this longing is not in vain.  That our God is a faithful God.  A reminder that even when we must collectively wait millennia for our salvation, when it comes it will be beyond our wildest expectations.  

But.
But we are also reminded every single day that the Kingdom has not yet been fulfilled and the longing and waiting continue.  Our hearts ache and break and sometimes it seems like they just might crumble in the waiting.  We see and hear of so much suffering.   

In the midst of the darkness and the pain and suffering, we still rejoice in hope.  We rejoice through it all, knowing that the Lord is at hand.  And in the dark we see the beauty of waiting together, the light that grows when we bear our sufferings together, lifting each other up with prayers, material help and emotional support.  
"Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice.  Let all men know your forbearance. The Lord is at hand.  Have no anxiety about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.  And the peace of God, which passes all understanding, will keep your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus."  Philippians 4:4-7
So on that note, I have a few things I'd love for you to add to your 'wait list':

First, for a sweet boy named Ethan.  Ethan is the nephew of one of my best friends.  He is five years old, has Down Syndrome, and has had three major surgeries this past week.  He has another this Wednesday.  He has been in an induced coma.  His body is so tired and not responding well.  Please pray for him, his parents, and his whole family.

Second, for a friend who has just lost another baby.  This is her fourth baby that has died.  She is a beautiful faithful soul and my heart hurts for their family.  They could use some prayers, please.

And lastly, a few weeks ago I asked on the FB page for some prayers for Paul.  Paul is technically my stepbrother-in-law.  He is 30 years old, a Franciscan grad, and has been battling a very rare form of cancer called peritoneal  mesothelioma.  He fought and won once but over the summer a tumor came back.  After chemo and treatment, the news we received a few weeks back wasn't good.  Not only did the tumor grow but another one developed.  He will be having more surgery at the beginning of the new year.  Paul and his wife Elizabeth have a four month old baby girl.  Please pray for his healing and if you are able, consider giving financially to help their family.  Paul can no longer work and they are no longer able to pay all their bills.  You can donate online here.  If you are in the area, please consider coming to the in-person fundraiser or donating time, food, or a theme basket.  You can show your support, too, by liking our prayer support page for Paul.

Thank you so much!  We continue to rejoice despite the heartache and suffering and tears shed in this life.  So much of that rejoicing comes from seeing our Lord working in and through His people here and now.

And a few snippets from our Gaudete:






3 comments

  1. Yes. So many in need of prayers this season. Adding your requests. Love your photos too!

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  2. So many need prayer right now, an ever present reminder of the season we're in. I love your tree.

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  3. Prayers are coming. Also please include my friend Stacie whose 11 year old daughter passed away over the weekend.
    The tree looks great. I home Luke is sweeping up needles and not a broken ornament.

    ReplyDelete

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