As our family gets ready to “celebrate” Hally’s birthday on March 14, I am filled with such a mix of emotions. Sadness, loneliness, grief, and disappointment bubble up from this mama who loves to give my children gifts, make their favorite foods, tell them how much they are loved, and just spend time with them on their birthdays each year. Thinking about “celebrating” the fifth birthday we haven’t had her here can seem overwhelming.
HOWEVER…..God in His infinite mercy and grace has also shown me joy, love, peace, patience, goodness, and kindness since Hally went to be with her Savior. Reading Job this past month has reminded me that even in the midst of losing all your children, having your wealth stripped away, receiving the wrath of family and friends, and experiencing terrible physical pain — we can hold fast to the Lord. Job 23:11-12 says, “My foot has held fast to His steps; I have kept His way and not turned aside. I have not departed from the commandment of His lips; I have treasured the words of His mouth more than my necessary food.”
Just as Job held fast to the Lord’s steps even when the path in front of him seemed like a mountain, I pray that you and I will choose to hold fast and not depart from the Lord when this world gives us heartaches and trials. My precious friend who recently lost her son has chosen to “choose joy” every day! I love this act of obedience. Even when her flesh wants to give up, she tells herself to “choose joy.” During this time of suffering for Job, he didn’t know what the end of the story for him would be, or why God allowed him to suffer – yet he held fast anyway! Job 5:8-9 says, “But as for me, I would seek God, and to God I would commit my cause-who does great things, and unsearchable, marvelous things without number.” As I look through the Team Hally pictures from the past four years, I can definitely see the great and marvelous things God has done without number.
If you haven’t started the Job Bible Study, it’s not too late to join in! The end of Job’s story is full of hope and blessings. Following in my friend’s footsteps, and Job’s, I will choose joy and continue to hold fast to the words God has spoken. One of the ways we are celebrating Hally’s life each year at her birthday is by making pies (since her birthday is “Pi” day! LOL) so this year we will make 14 and give them away. She loved blueberries, so we always try to make a few blueberry pies.
Praying you will hold fast and trust in Him. Job 13:15a, 16a, “Though He slay me, yet will I trust Him… He also shall be my salvation.”