When Praise is a Sacrifice

Today, October 15th, is a day of remembrance.

Two days ago, Canadians celebrated Thanksgiving with friends, family and great food. But today is different.

It's a day I wouldn't have paid much attention to if it weren't for an event that happened in my life just over a year ago.

I never imagined having to count myself as 'one of them' - the group of women with soul connections on this day.

October 15th marks the 'Pregnancy and Infant Loss Remembrance Day'

As mentioned on the official website, back in October 1988, American President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October as National Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month. He sensitively said, ''When a child loses a parent, they are called an orphan. When a spouse loses her or his partner, they are called a widow or widower. When parents lose their child, there isn't a word to describe them.''

And as one of those parents, I realize there also isn't a word to describe one's emotions when you lose a child.

Yes, I gave birth to a beautiful, healthy baby boy 3 months ago. But on August 6, 2013, I also buried a baby after suffering a miscarriage at 8 weeks.

Since then, 5 friends of mine have unfortunately had to do the same.

How does one reconcile thanksgiving and trial? Love and loss? Praise and pain?

Hebrews 13:15 talks about offering God a 'sacrifice of praise.' Oh, how you and I know that praise isn't always easy. How many days is it a decision we have to make instead of a natural response flowing from our hearts?

Tim Hughes' song, ''When the Tears Fall'', is a powerful summary of the struggles and questions I was left with after my miscarriage. But it's also an intense reminder of hope, an invitation to look up.

I've had questions without answers
I've known sorrow, I have known pain
But there's one thing that I cling to
You are faithful, Jesus You're true
When hope is lost
I call You Saviour
When pain surrounds
I call You Healer
When silence falls
You'll be the song within my heart

I'm not trying to minimize anyone's pain by saying that we should just 'get over' such experiences, that we're not allowed to ask questions, or that we need to suck it up and be 'spiritual'. No, mourning IS spiritual (a whole book of the Bible is all about lamenting!)

But for me it is significant that this day of loss and remembrance falls two days after Thanksgiving. Because I can still be thankful, and praise God even when it's hard.

Praise Him for the fact that I'm not alone, since He is familiar with suffering.
Praise Him for hope.
Praise Him for life.
Praise Him for Shalom - that all-encompassing, deep, healing, life-giving peace and comfort.

Maybe you haven't lost a child, but maybe praise is still a sacrifice for you.  Maybe it's sickness, disappointment, stress, doubt.

But may I encourage you to offer a praise sacrifice even in your suffering?

And friend, if you've lost a little one, let us remember together. Know that Jesus sees your tears and is ready to offer beauty for ashes.

Thanks + Giving + [Always?]

Sun shining; house cozy warm from the heat of the oven, which contains a 12-pound turkey; smell of apple cider and cinnamon candles; husband peeling potatoes and me kneading dough; table set and awaiting guests.

It's Thanksgiving. Autumn is here - my favorite time of the year!

 

There's no way to exactly duplicate a tradition, but we took joy in the newness of Thanksgiving and our first time celebrating it in Germany was a success!  I even managed to come up with a maple leaf - Canadian Pride! :)

Funny how memories are triggered. Memories of family members showing up at our house, of board games, of kids, of lots and lots and lots of (great) food, of getting to use the "special" plates and glasses, of the "go-around-the-table-and-everybody-say-one-thing-they're-thankful-for" round.

Giving Thanks. Because so much has been given to us; it's the least we can do in return. 

But Thanksgiving is more than a day; it's a lifestyle. 

If we only choose joy when we have a full plate, a full stomach, and a full house, are we really giving thanks?

This year my husband and I were confronted with the biblical mandate to REJOICE ALWAYS.

Three days before Thanksgiving, his mom took a fall outside, was rushed to the hospital where it was discovered that she had a complicated wrist and elbow break, had an emergency operation and likely has to remain in the hospital for 3 weeks now.

That wasn't exactly part of the plan. Or at least our plan.

For awhile, I felt guilty for excitedly anticipating food and fellowship, but then the Holy Spirit reminded me, "It's perfect timing to celebrate Thanksgiving." If not now, then when? 

 

The Lord called us here to help bring restoration. And it looked like restoration was happening - my mom-in-law was overcoming the effects of her stroke and was beginning to ride a bike again, re-learning how to write, and becoming more engaged in activities and conversation. And now? She's laying in a hospital bed with metal plates in her arm and can't remember what happened or why she's there.

What does giving thanks look like in this situation? I read a quote from Ann Voskamp the other day which made me think:

"My lips may have said YES to God's grace of a Messiah - 

but my life has said NO to God's gift of this moment."

How is it that we so easily receive God's GIFT of grace, His GIFT of salvation, His GIFT of a Savior...but so often reject His GIFT of each new day? What makes us think we can pick and choose what we get to give thanks for?

And so, in the middle of hospital visits, short nights, telephone calls to family, and conversations with the doctors and nurses, we choose joy.

• We're thankful that in a matter of minutes after calling emergency, we had 5 medical personnel at our doorstep.
• We're thankful for hospital staff working the night shift, so she could receive immediate care.
• We're thankful for friends and family who have stopped in to visit. 
• We're thankful for a praying community of brothers and sisters in the Lord.
• We're thankful that none of this is a surprise to God. 
• We're thankful that God redeemed the situation - my mom-in-law's "room mate" gave her life to the Lord after my husband had a conversation with her about Jesus!

And although the reality of the situation isn't nice, we're allowed to celebrate.

“Go and enjoy choice food and sweet drinks, and send some to those who have nothing prepared. This day is holy to our Lord. Do not grieve, for the joy of the Lord is your strength." (Nehemiah 8:10). Joy is something deeper than circumstances. Receiving each moment with thanksgiving is what allows us to live in joy.

There is another quote that says: "Hope is hearing the music of tomorrow. Faith is dancing to it."

So we "turned up the music" yesterday and enjoyed a feast, knowing God is in control of the end of the story. We're still working on the dancing part, but we believe that God is good and that He's worthy of receiving our thanksgiving. Always.

P.S. Would you pray with us, please? For a quick, miraculous healing, for peace for us as a family, especially my husband's dad, and for the strength to dance? Thank you.

How do you see yourself?

Came across two pictures in the last few months that I found really cute, and meaningful:

"What do you see when you look in the mirror?"

Not sure I agree 100% with the caption of the bottom picture, since there is Someone Whose perspective is even more important than our own.

But still, I think these pictures convey a deep truth. I believe that when He looks at us, that Someone - our Creator, the Lover of our souls - sees us as a mighty Lion or a Dancer. He sees us for the potential that HE created us with, He sees our gifts and the destiny He's placed on our lives, not our limitations. He sees us strong in Him and not weak in our own flesh.

That's not to say He ignores sin; that's not the point. The point is that sin has been dealt with on the cross, and we're new creations! We are IN CHRIST, meaning we have His power, authority, wisdom, love, and everything that we need. Wow!

Sometimes we try to be "humble" or "spiritual" by looking at ourselves like we're "only" little cats or we focus on our disabilities. But, as I believe Rick Warren once said, "Humility is not thinking less of yourself; it is thinking of yourself less."

Jesus, when He humbled Himself and washed the disciples' feet, setting an example that we should follow in humbly serving others, said, "You call me Teacher and Lord, and that is what I am." He didn't cease to be Himself when He took on the role of a servant. He didn't try to push it away, saying "Oh no, I'm only a man; no I'm nothing really, it's all about my Father." He knew perfectly well what His true identity was, but that didn't stop Him from doing what needed to be done.

What if we began to live in that kind of humility - not glorifying our weaknesses, but acknowledging the power of the cross in making us new, and accepting the GRACE of the Lord that enables us to do anything, including serve?

Friend...remember today that you are IN Christ. 

Be encouraged that your limitations are not hindrances to God.

Know that you have the Well of Living Water inside of you, meaning there is enough, always enough.


Take a moment to ask your Heavenly Father what He thinks of you. Do you see yourself the way He does?

What has inspired me this week...

These quotes are what I've been pondering this last week as I've walked through my own personal "Easter Journey" and been reminded of my weakness, and God's Grace.

 

 Jesus died so I could be made whole, live a life of fullness, receive forgiveness, and have peace. What hit me as I watched "The Passion" with a group of people on Good Friday was that Jesus didn't defend Himself. The people who mocked Him were right - He could have called down angel armies and been delivered. But He didn't.

 He could have performed miracles and made everyone standing near "oohh" and "ahhh." But He didn't.

He didn't try to reason, didn't try to stand up for Himself. He knew the final Victory was His anyway! And now, raised back to life and seated at the right hand of God, He is interceding for us (Romans 8:34). We have a Defender! And if God is for us, who can be against us? He stands behind us and there is no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus!

 

There are days when I'm aware of my need for Him, my need for His grace, my need for healing. And there are other days where my default seems to be trying to do things on my own. Then I get frustrated, because I mess up, I'm not perfect, and I don't have answers.

 

  ("overflow with thanksgiving" - Colossians 2:7)

And, I'm discovering, the key to everything is simply being thankful. 

God's Grace is there if I would just receive it and acknowledge Christ's sacrifice for me. He doesn't condemn my imperfection or judge me for my need! His Grace is simply sufficient. 

~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

This month I've begun Ann Voskamp's "Joy Dare" and have decided that every now and again here on my blog I will record my findings of discovering God in the ordinary and acknowledging His gifts.

Yesterday the challenge was "3 Gifts Surprisingly Found." My eyes wandered to the beautiful flower my husband brought home for me. "Just because" - my favorite :) 

Later on I was trying to plan a meal and contemplating whether to make a trip to the bakery, in walks my father-in-law with a loaf of fresh bread for us! Surprise Gift #2!

And the day ended with a reminder of grace. As I serve my mother-in-law there are times when we disagree, times when I have to be stern, and times when she doesn't want to do what I ask her to, although it would aid in her healing. I was surprised that even her short-term memory loss can be a gift, in that after a little clash she quickly returns to being so forgiving, so trusting, and so open again. 

Thankful that Jesus paid it all!