Shortly after Ashley was born, one of the nurses at her pediatrician's office gave birth to a precious baby boy. Fourteen years later, her name has escaped my memory. But I can see her full well in my mind, and remember her sweet, bubbly personality, that was infectious! She was a beautiful person, both inside and out. When I met her, I felt a sudden kinship with her, partly because our children were so close in age. Three months after her son was born, her first child also, she died of an aggressive form of cervical cancer. She was diagnosed in the latter months of her pregnancy, but didn't want to risk the effects of any treatments on her unborn child. So she did nothing, ...but give her son life, as the disease took hers very quickly. I think this was the first completely senseless, unfair death that I really encountered. Not to say that any death is fair, or makes sense. But the thoughts of that small, precious boy that would never know his mother, just seemed so cruel and unjust.


The years, have brought about many more senseless acts and suffering I can't explain, that have left me wondering, WHY? I could fill the pages of this blog, with national and personal tragedies, beyond our control and our understanding. ...as I am sure you all could. My biggest question of all being, Why do bad things happen to the good and innocent??? This seems to be a question that has weighed heavy on my heart in the last few weeks. Not to say that I doubt the sovereignty of God, or do not have faith in His perfect Will. And I know that dwelling on such thoughts, proves fruitless, because I could never begin to understand the mind of God. Nor do I think I really want to. I know that His purposes and reasoning are so beyond my understanding, as a mere mortal woman. ..."Lean not on your own understanding," Proverbs 3:5. It is such an assurance to know, as Paul expressed in 1 Corinthians 2, that when I get to Heaven and meet Jesus face to face, it will all make sense. I can't wait to sit at the feet of Jesus and talk with him, ....I'm sure I will be in that one place for quite awhile! "smiles"

Sunday in church, the choir sang, "We'll Understand it Better By and By." I love this song and it seemed to go coincide with my thoughts, of late. But the hymn I would like to highlight today is, "It is Well With My Soul," written by Horatio Spafford , in 1873. This beautiful song was penned by Spafford after great tribulation in his own life, and yet he wrote.....

"When peace like a river, attendeth my way;

When sorrows like sea billows roll;

Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say,

It is well, it is well, with my soul."

My aunt passed along to me, Dr. James Dobson's Newsletter, from July. I would like to share some excerpts from it. They were particularly encouraging to me, and hope they will be to you as well....

"Clearly, the scripture tells us that we lack the capacity to grasp God's infinite mind or the way He intervenes in our lives. ....there will be times in every person's life when circumstances don't add up - when God doesn't appear to make sense." Remember what God tells us in His own words, "As the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways and my thoughts than your thoughts," Isaiah 55:9. "There is nothing wrong with trying to understand, but we must not lean on our ability to comprehend, ....our trust in Him must be independent of our understanding." And, "when you think about it, there is comfort in that approach to life's trials and tribulations. We are relieved of the responsibility of trying to figure them out. It is enough to acknowledge that God makes sense even when He doesn't (seem to) make sense." (from "Family News From Dr. James Dobson/Focus on the Family" ~ July 2008)

Why? I certainly don't have the answers, but I serve a God who does, and trust that He is always in control of each and every situation, no matter how senseless and unjust they may seem! I leave you with these encouraging words....

"The righteous cry out, and the Lord hears them; He delivers them from all their troubles. The Lord is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit. A righteous man may have many troubles, but the Lord delivers him from them all." Psalms 34:17-19

"So do not fear, for I am with you; do not be dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you and help you; I will uphold you with my righteous hand." Isaiah 41:10

...................................

I'm so excited to have Pearl, at Pearl's Sentimental Journey, join
"Encouraging Words Wednesday", today! "smiles"

I encourage you to go over and visit her!

If you would like to join me any Wednesday, please let me know, and I will provide a link to you!

Blessings to You, on this Wednesday! ~Rhonda :)