It's making an impact..
In a season for many that is hard and lonely, I want to share a few snippets of HOPE. This first story came upon me unexpected. I often pinch myself when I think back to our story... one of change, unexpectancy, and full of HOPE. Come with me as I share a few stories over the next two weeks as we walk into Christmas Season 2017.......
This morning when I went into school to watch my little 1st grader sing a song with her friends, I was surprised when all of the sudden my biggest girl took the stage to share a personal Christmas story with the whole school.
Read where I shared about that Christmas here:
https://dennstaedtfamily.blogspot.com/2015/11/gifts.html
I've often thought long and hard about what has make in impact in our littles lives. I've shared before about the tears I have cried when what you walk through has to shape everyone around you, even when its not what anyone choose. I am seeing fruit though. I am seeing their testimonies of their own little happenings build them up and make them. We don't know. Sometimes we get a glimpse, sometimes we will never see it. Little bits and pieces like this are so good for my soul. Why do I share this? Because it's for you too. This is HOPE. When you're in a never ending season and you don't see any way out, you can't imagine any of this working for good, have faith friends. Your great God, who loves you so deeply, even in your pain, is working for you.
“Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?" Luke 9:23
Have you thought about embracing the suffering and hardship because it is possible that God is using you to work in someone else? Have you thought about the deep transformation that it is causing in you may perhaps be rubbing off on others as they see you? Have you given thought that when he began a good work in you that it perhaps had nothing to do with your comfort, yet your suffering that will change how meaningless you feel that this season is for you?
It is what we are waiting for and what has already come to pass. HOPE has come.
"Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces hope, and hope does not put us to shame, because God’s love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." — Romans 5:2-5 .
This morning when I went into school to watch my little 1st grader sing a song with her friends, I was surprised when all of the sudden my biggest girl took the stage to share a personal Christmas story with the whole school.
Read where I shared about that Christmas here:
https://dennstaedtfamily.blogspot.com/2015/11/gifts.html
I've often thought long and hard about what has make in impact in our littles lives. I've shared before about the tears I have cried when what you walk through has to shape everyone around you, even when its not what anyone choose. I am seeing fruit though. I am seeing their testimonies of their own little happenings build them up and make them. We don't know. Sometimes we get a glimpse, sometimes we will never see it. Little bits and pieces like this are so good for my soul. Why do I share this? Because it's for you too. This is HOPE. When you're in a never ending season and you don't see any way out, you can't imagine any of this working for good, have faith friends. Your great God, who loves you so deeply, even in your pain, is working for you.
“Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat—I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you?" Luke 9:23
Have you thought about embracing the suffering and hardship because it is possible that God is using you to work in someone else? Have you thought about the deep transformation that it is causing in you may perhaps be rubbing off on others as they see you? Have you given thought that when he began a good work in you that it perhaps had nothing to do with your comfort, yet your suffering that will change how meaningless you feel that this season is for you?
"Nothing about the Christmas story was expected. As things were unfolding, no one really understood all that was going on or why. God chose ways and means to bring his Son into the world that appeared more or less foolish to all observing. There were ample things to perplex, bewilder, awe, enthrall, terrify, frustrate, disappoint, and grieve those who experienced the first Advent. The pieces were put together in retrospect. God sees the big picture, and in his wisdom — which often initially doesn’t look like wisdom — he will bring all to right in the ways and at the times that will result in our experiencing the greatest joy possible (Luke 2:10)." John Piper
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