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.