God Hit Me - Pt. 2

In Pt. 1, Jocelyn's words highlighted how it felt to have been hit by God.  God hit me and it hurt.  A good friend sent me a scripture during this time that reminded me that some things we go through are joyful and others are painful (Ecclesiastes 3).


It is obvious what kind of season this has been.  It's hurt so bad at times we felt blinded like Saul, so bad we couldn't speak like Zacharias, so bad our bones hurt like Jacob.  It hurt so bad we didn't know what to say or do.  


Then something happened.  


We got a phone call.  Then another.  And another.  Then a text message.  Then a Facebook message.  Then a visit.  Then a card.  Then a meal caravan.  Then another text message.  Then a gift card.  Then a babysitter.  Then a check in the mail.  Then another.  Then a prayer.  Then another... 

In this season, we have truly witnessed the generosity of the Christian family. We have literally run out of ways to say thank you.  As I was on my way to compose this painful post, we received a letter by a friend who encouraged us to keep serving the Lord.  Even in my groaning, people were continuing to bless us.  

There are tremendous theological questions that surface during times of pain; "God, where are you?" or "Why would you hurt me?"  I will reserve these valid questions for some other time.  It has become clear to me that being "hit" by God wasn't an accident, but it was intentional.  In a way, we were allowed to be hurt so we could be allowed to be helped.  Our tears of gratitude have washed away our tears of pain.

I can't list everyone who has been a blessing to us, but I want to say thank you to everyone for everything you've done for us.  YOU have been our antidote and our serum.  You have been our friend, our sister, and our brother.  You have helped to heal us when we were hurting.  We trust that God is omniscient.   We believe the same God who "hit" us graciously gave us you.  In a time where our faith could have suffered, your signs of love have made it stronger.  Thank you...

Lord, we pray you get the glory out of our relationships and that we love others as we have been loved.  Please bless their families and their labors, their dreams and their struggles.  Your Word says You chastise those you love.  Thank you for loving us...  In Christ's name, Amen.

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It was good for me to be afflicted that I may learn your decrees.

- Psalm 119:71

For people living with impairment, and for their partners and families, dependence is a significant part of life. But living dependently is living in the image of God.

-"Those who are Blind See: Some New Testament Uses of Impairment, Inability, and Paradox", Simon Horne, from Human Disability and the Service of God: Reassessing Religious Practice, Nancy L. Eiesland and Don E. Saliers, eds.

God Hit Me - Pt. 1

The last two months have been a roller-coaster of emotions and experiences.  We lost three loved ones; Ashley's Granny, Ashley's high school friend, and my uncle.  We welcomed our daughter.  To complicate things, Ashley has recently been diagnosed with a condition that affects her nerves and muscles.  We've spent the last few weeks between doctors and hospital visits.  In between financial burdens,  physical trials, emotional stresses, and late nights with a newborn, it has been a wild season.

Jocelyn put it perfectly yesterday.  We were in the car and she was talking to herself (which she loves to do).  When we parked, she said "God hit me".  Wow, I thought to myself.  "God hit you?", I replied.  "Yes", she said.  "And how did it feel?", I asked.  She responded matter-of-factly, "It hurt." 

That is exactly right, I thought.  Lately, it has felt like God hit me too... and it definitely hurt.  

I probably can stop right there... in fact, I will.  Click here for pt 2...

YGT: The Inconvenient Truth

I wish the Lord would speak to me during commercials… 


Or maybe in a text message. Then I could take a couple minutes and quickly respond to what I hear in my spirit. This last year of blogging has shown me an important truth about great thoughts - they come at the most inconvenient times. Driving to work, during an exam, at 2:00 in the morning, great thoughts have no etiquette. 


The venerable Rev. Dr. William Turner at Duke Divinity School said there’s a difference between things that TAKE time and things that MAKE time. Things that are truly important in your life MAKE time to happen. Funny how we don’t TAKE time for eating, sleeping, or social networking… we MAKE time for these things because they are important (well, the social networking one is debatable). The same could be said for any number of goals you have. As the new year rolls on, what things in your life TAKE time and what things MAKE time?  (i.e. scripture reading or TMZ.com, Butterfingers or exercise, budgeting or shopping?)


In all honesty, I worry about 2013 – will I be able to keep posting with regularity? Or will God graciously answer my prayers and speak when it’s convenient? We all know the truth to that. If it’s important (which it is), I will write. And when it’s convenient (which it never is), God will speak.


The last year has given me the opportunity to attempt to note God’s movements in my spirit. What I really learned is that hearing God isn’t optional, it’s critical. And things that are critical MAKE time. Looking forward to more great thoughts in 2013 and beyond!!!





Lord, thank You for the witness of blogging. Thank You for the last year and allowing me to note what I hear and see. Please give me a sensitive spirit, one that can sense the winds blowing. I desire to be more faithful and effective. Help me to divide things that take time from those that make time. I love You and live to serve You. In Christ’s name, Amen.




Making time,
j.a.g.

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Psalm 62:5

My soul, wait thou only upon God; for my expectation is from him.