A repost because. . .
I looked out my window today and there were the sparrows again
and
these three precious ladies are still battling and living for the Lord
and
I want to ask you all again to pray for them. Cancer is hard!
But they fight like a girl (that's strong fightin' guys!) and they trust in their Lord, our God!
And they have smiles SO big!
Let's lift them up together, OK?
****************************************************************************
It's funny what God will use to bring about a blog post. When I'm typing on my lap top, I can see out the window into my big back yard. There were about 30 sparrows on the ground and at all the bird feeders and I found myself humming, His eye is on the Sparrow. And then I began to think of a young lady who sings this song beautifully. And then I began to think of three ladies that I am praying for who are battling cancer right now.
And then I began thinking of others who fought the battle and some have won and some won in a different kind of way. Both are out of pain now. How about the ones of us still here but do not have cancer. We fight a battle of some sorts every day. My old pastor used to say, "If you're not going through a battle now, you've just come through one or you're about to go through one." Jesus never promised us a life withouth troubles. In fact, He said "You will have troubles." But He doesn't leave us alone to flounder in the storms all by ourselves. He promised to be with us every step of the way.
What are you battling? Have you already fought one? Do you need to gear up for one coming? Battles come in so many costumes; discouragement, loneliness, sickness, broken relationships, frustrations, etc. I've been there myself. It's easy to curl up in hopelessness during really hard, heartbreaking times, but it is NOT hopeless. Jesus is in the circumstance even if we cannot see Him in the moment. He IS there and watching and shepherding, loving and guiding and we just have to trust and not get lost in the feelings. "Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid, do not be discouraged for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go." Joshua 1:9. "Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows." Luke 2:7.
Sarah, a young girl that I met in the blogging world, battled a 14 year disease that left her homebound all those years, in daily pain. She said her pain on a good day would be moderately high. She could not run free anymore, had to have daily help. But her attitude was soaring off the charts. Her motto was 'choose joy'. When she was asked what her definition of joy was this was her answer. . .notice she is not saying what things brings her joy but what IS joy. . .
She would tell you to "Choose Joy" in spite of the circumstances.
I dedicate this blog post to Sarah and to these three beautiful, wonderful, strong, amazing women that I and many others are faithfully praying for who are battling cancer right now. I would say they all exhibit Sarah's motto. They stand on the promises of God, honor Him with their lives, joyful despite their circumstances. I wanna be just like them! Would you please say a prayer for these three too?
Liz "I walk by faith and not by sight"
Joanna and her verse. . ."I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death." Phillipians 1:20
Vicky. . ."Live your moments."
*Please visit Vicky at her place where she shares her experience. . .http://thewestraworld.blogspot.com
Close your eyes and listen to Sarah sing like a bird. . .His Eye Is On The Sparrow From the date on this song, it looked like Sarah recorded it about a year before soaring off to the meet her Lord face to face last Fall.
Click here and be blessed. . .02 His Eye Is On The Sparrow
10 comments:
Well, for obvious reasons, this one made me cry! But how I long to walk through my trials and disappointments with the light of Jesus shining through me. He is able. He is compassionate. He is near. And He is my song.
Love you Kris,
Jennie
Kristin, this was beautiful! I just watched today a nest of sparrows in the bush outside my kitchen window.) I've been watching for the robins to return, but the sparrows never even left this winter.
Such a lovely tribute to Sara and I love how her spirit shines on and on. I'm honored to be amongst such faithful and positive women!
Blessings to you Kristin, I'm deeply honored and touched.
Sending love to you!
Vicky
Kristin, you know my story, and you are soooooo right on here! To choose joy, to live your moments, and to walk by faith . . . three things that will get you through anything. The winters can be long and cold, and everything can look dead with no hope of life left, but spring always comes. To look back now on my own journey is to reaffirm that yes, it is true that His eye IS on the sparrow and I know He watches ME! How important it is that, during the good times, we learn as much as we can about the character and ways of God, because when we have to walk through the darkest time, it is what we learned in the light that carries us through. Thank you for sharing these wonderful women and I am in prayer for them!
Kris ~ I didn't have the pleasure of knowing Sarah here on this earth...in the blogging world...but I am so happy that one day we will meet. Thank you for sharing this with us. I will pray for these ladies you have mentioned. It seems cancer touches so many of our friends and family these days. God bless you for sharing her songs. I am listening to all of them now as I write.
Love you friend,
Chelle
Beyond beautiful.
So lovely Kristin, and a beautiful tribute to these lovely women. There are many of us who are going through some kind of a battle in which we just can’t see the end in sight; we live in a world in which there are so many unexpected pains and challenges that it can be overwhelming. But the truth is that the strength to cope with every painful burden is with us in Christ! I love Sarah's motto and definition to "choose joy"! :)
Blessings sweet lady, :)
Denise
Kristy, this is an absolutely beautiful post and tribute. Pass the tissues! I came to your blog this morning feeling heavy hearted over something very trivial. Before I got through the second sentence I bowed my head in prayer. During that prayer I thanked the Lord that he is always with me and that despite my circumstances he can be trusted and it is all good. I also asked him to help me have a skip in my step today, to find joy. How this blog blessed me, an encouraging reminder that he is indeed watching over us and that joy is a choice.
Kris, yet again, you have moved our hearts and our minds to praise and be thankful! The Lord has certainly watched over me this week as I mourn the loss of Dana. My heart goes out to these women of faith who have battled and/or are battling cancer. But they know they are not alone and God will heal or will welcome them home. I know Liz from the wonderful Women of Hope LIFT at Living Hope when she spoke so beautifully and courageously. God will continue to use her in a might way. Love you, sister.
Beautiful words and prayers. Not to mention the hearts displayed here. Thank you for sharing and making me realize I want to live like that. Joyful no matter the circumstances.
I heart – I absolutely heart listening to Sara sing. Just seeing a picture of her – and reading what you wrote – it tears up my eyes. Someone asked me just the other day who the bravest person I know was – and I said Sara. She IS the bravest person I know – to face what she did – and face death with so much grace and faith. It is funny that I was just talking about her yesterday – and today I'm here reading about her. Well done Kristin! Choose joy!
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