The Happy Baby was freeeeeaking out the other day because he lost his favorite DVD and as his cries escalated into hysteria I found myself frantically searching the house and praying, “Oh, Lord please help me to find my boy’s lost DVD!”
And then I was immediately plagued by this thought –
“How can you pray about something so silly? There are women in parts of the world whose children are being beheaded.”
I get grumpy because I have to wake up early and make lunches for school…
“But what about these women and children in Iraq??!”
I fuss about the tornado-like state our house is constantly in…
“But what about these women and children in Iraq??!”
I find myself longing for that cute lamp I saw at Target.
“But what about these women and children in Iraq??!”
Lately it seems like there is pain and evil and tragedy and darkness growing in leaps and bounds across the world.
These horrific events that pour out from every channel and website make me feel so unsettled and I find myself wondering why is God letting this stuff happen and what is my place in the midst of it?
Then the Holy Spirit whispers across my soul…
Read my Word.
And instead of spending so much time glued to the news channel filling my head with more things to fear, He invites me to spend time filling my head with Truth.
Light to obliterate darkness.
As I read, I am reminded that this wickedness we are hearing about in the news, it really isn’t anything new.
At the time of Moses’ birth, hundreds of Israelite babies were thrown into the river at the hand of an unrelenting and proud Pharaoh.
Then again when Jesus was born we read about the hundreds of baby boys under the age of 2 who died at the hand of jealous King Herod.
No, this evil – it’s not new.
And while I do not know the pain of losing a child to a heartless, wicked act, I vividly recall the feeling of watching my child suffer.
The night that we walked in and saw our child looking like this, I remember the gasp – the sob that racked my body and made me physically lean into my husband.
We watched in horror as a machine pumped hard and steady blasts of air into our tiny baby’s lungs.
I remember feeling so troubled by the way the machine pressed his nose upward – almost like a pig’s – and how the nurse casually said it might get stuck that way.
It was torture – to me. And to him, no doubt.
But that same evening the elders and deacons and pastors of our church were coming to pray for us.
So I stumbled from the room, anxious to go but yet longing to never leave my baby’s side, and the hubs and I headed toward the hospital’s conference room.
And as we walked down a long, cold corridor feeling utterly defeated and without hope, there was a sudden shift in the air.
I raised my head and saw about 20 men – tall and strong – walking in our direction.
It was like an army of God’s angels were making their way toward our desperate, thirsty souls – their presence alone tangibly redirecting the downward spiral of my weak and weary flesh.
While we did not receive an immediate miracle that night, nor were specific prayers answered in an instant, our spirits were reminded that we were not alone in the battle.
And that the battle we were fighting alongside our little baby was a battle already won.
Because He who is in us is greater than he who is in the world (1 John 4:4).
That same power that conquered the grave was the same power with us in that NICU room. A power that filled us with confident hope that God was, indeed, doing something in the midst of the CPAPs and chemotherapy treatments and feeding tubes and misdiagnosis after misdiagnosis.
Just as He was doing something in the midst of all the lost lives of innocent Hebrew babies –
God was raising up a deliverer named Moses.
Just as He was doing something in the midst of the deaths of all those innocent boys in Bethlehem and its vicinity –
God was raising up a once-and-for-all Deliverer named JESUS.
The enemy is doing what he does best – deceiving, confusing, hurting, destroying and making it seem like all hope is lost.
But his acts of cruelty WILL NOT destroy or interfere with the greater picture – the Greater Power that is at work.
Because He is a Father, after all.
The feeling of compassion and desire to help my boy find his lost DVD – the hurt and agony I felt with him in the NICU – on a small scale, is reflective of the way our Lord is stirred when ANY ONE of His children suffers.
So, dear readers, let’s put one foot in front of the other, faithfully carrying out the duties He has called us to at this time – in this season (like searching for lost DVDs and making lunches and raising little warriors of Light and Truth and possibly staying away from Target for a little bit). 🙂
And while we are doing these things, let’s pray for our persecuted brothers and sisters – pray for our broken, messy world.
Then let’s rise as Moses’ mother, who during a time of great uncertainty bravely trusted in God’s power.
Let’s rise as Mary and Joseph who chose to listen carefully for direction from the voice of the Lord rather than panic about the disturbing events around them.
And let’s remember that the battle is already won.
Glory, glory, hallelujah!
Thank you. Today at 2:59 pm on September 22, 2014 God used you. I don’t know what you think you are doing right now. You might think you are teaching a lesson or washing little hands or folding laundry. But in actuality, in this moment you were just used by God to speak directly to someone you may never meet. We often pray to make an impact for the kingdom of God, but we don’t always know when we do. So I just wanted to let you know. Today you were His hands and feet.
Julie, thank you for these words tonight, as hubby and I were just sitting, overwhelmed today by the tragedies we see both globally and within our own community of believers. All we can do some days is pray the promises of God and trust Him.
Your boys are ADORABLE! I LOVE reading your blog! Love the song, We WIN in the End, Thank you Lord!
Thank God for this truth, and thank you for the reminder. In this time when fear and sadness have had a grip on my life, I am grateful to be reminded of God’s promises.
On a side note, my family of 7 went out to eat yesterday, and as we were leaving, another customer…a stranger…told us he was going to pay our bill. This immediately made me think of you, Julie. There IS still good in this world!!! 🙂
Thank you for this post! I needed this today. I had lost something important (to me), prayed for help in finding it, then immediately thought of those with true suffering. This post couldn’t have come at a better time.
You are Amazing!!! I stumbled upon your blog by accident while looking for craft ideas for my Girl Scout troop 2 years ago. I started following you because I just loved what I was reading. And let me tell you… Your openness, humor, and love for our Heavenly Father are soo refreshing! God is shining His light and love through you! Well done, girly! Keep ’em coming! XO
So inspiring!! I LOVE this!!
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Thank you Julie for sharing your God given talent of insight, perspective & joy!
You rock!
Continued Blessings to you & your family.
Amy 🙂
I just love you! Your words bring so much hope and comfort! I’m so glad we have a Savior who has overcome this world and the evil that’s in it! Thanks for sharing…hugs!
Thank you Julie, for, being Light, in this dark world. Thankful that we share the same Hope in Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior. My husband and I have a Special Needs child, and I am encouraged by your faithfulness and testimony of what God is doing in your life (lives). The Lord bless you. Hugs.
Loudly clapping and shouting AMEN AMEN AMEN! Joshua 10:25 – Joshua said to them, “Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged. Be strong and courageous. This is what the Lord will do to all the enemies you are going to fight.”
Amen! Just what I needed to hear today! Thank you Julie!
Thank You!
Julie, I don’t think you even know how amazing you are. Thank you for this post. It’s a wake up call I needed. 🙂
Amen sister!!
Amen Sister
All Praise and glory to God who first loved us and saves us every day!
Excellent post!
Julie…I am a grandmother who has followed your blog since your wee babe was born…I do not remember how I came across your blog, but I am subscribed…what a blessing you have been to our family over these recent past years…today’s blog post was so very timely as it came when we all needed the uplift the most that day…we have copied this post & printed as a sweet reminder of our Lord’s loving concern for ALL our griefs, trials, etc…we do believe you were called by the Lord to minister in ways you will never know…thank you for accepting and acting on that call…
Hi Julie, I came across your blog doing a search for something else. I read about your baby being low tone at birth. I also read the post from the chiropractor that offered help. Can you tell me if you found help through chiropractic for your son? Also, I believe the Lord led me to your blog because He definitely spoke to me and encouraged me by your post about Surrender and the verse from your mirror. God bless you and your family. Keep writing. Linda Bell