Perhaps you thought I'd gone away or something. Nope, just wrapped up in kiddos and driving all over the place -- QUITE thankful that not only was Tom in town this past week but that he was able to help me out with two conflicting schedules.....
Actually, what sparked today's entry was not only what we've been up to but something I read in a novel this past week on faith vs. hope. The character in this book ("Never Wave Goodbye" by Doug Magee) is a Presbyterian minister whose son has been kidnapped. She comes to her church as normal on Sunday morning to offer her sermon, despite the turmoil she must be feeling in her heart. She talks of how she's always offered "hope" to people to comfort them and how it's given her comfort in the past when she's be in the midst of difficult circumstances. But she'd come to the personal realization that hope was, to her, something like fear -- reflecting "an anxiety about the future...(and that if she were) hoping for an outcome, (she) was doubting God and his perfection." Instead, she believes that FAITH in God is what will help her during this crisis -- faith that God is in control and that, even if her son is not returned, her faith will not "wither in hope and fear." As an example, she refers to Abraham -- he did not (in her -- and my -- view) "hope" that God would send a new message when Isaak was about to be slain by his father's hand -- rather Abraham had FAITH that God was in control and whether or not Isaac would end up dead, God had a reason for it. So, do we want hope, or faith?
In other news, the past week or so has (as always) been busy. Maggie enjoyed celebrating Halloween with a friend of hers. The fashioned "shoe" costumes which were adorable -- hi-top Nike shoes with bright pink and leopard print. She's completed cross country with a personal-best time this morning and will have a couple months off before track season starts. Meanwhile, she plans to go to the gym in the afternoon.
Abby and her friend went out in our neighborhood -- Abby was a witch and her friend Alice in Wonderland. I enjoyed visiting with her mom as we walked and Tom directed us with his trusty flashlight.
I'm still busy with the same old activities but looking forward to a less-hectic after-school time for a short while!
Enjoy fall - it may have FINALLY arrived here -- two days in a row I have socks on my feet..............
I'm familiar with this concept, and understand it .... God's will, not mine be done. It's like when you apply for a job, and you hope you get it, but you know that if you don't, God had a reason for that. Personally, I can handle that whole concept, when it's something like a job, but when it's a situation that's life or death, such as this poor woman was dealing with, ... well that's a whole different situation ... I guess the answer is that we still need to trust in God, but it sure is a whole lot harder to do in those situations.
ReplyDeleteVery powerful. And I agree with Crazy Ol' Dad...I can't imagine having the hope vs. faith fight when it comes to your children.
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