Abide in ME!

    Let me preference in saying that i enjoy reading but it takes me a while to complete a really good book. There are certain books that i cannot just read through, and one of these books are, "He Chose The Nails- What God Did To Win Your Heart" by Max Lucado.
   My student, in high school, asked me? YOU are STILL reading that book? Why YES of course (I have been reading it for 2 months now) and i am so glad that i took my time to read it. I finished the book today and it was exactly what i needed to know for this moment in my life.

    As most of you know, my sweet grandfather passed away one week ago (March 14, 2012). The death of my grandfather was such a shock to not only me, but my family and all of our friends. He had a massive stroke and the Lord decided it was time for him to come home- HIS REAL home (Heaven). Do you know how much joy that thought brings to me? I do miss my grandfather very very much so, but the thought of him being home brings a smile to my face. 
      See, my grandfather was a very loved man and so sweet to each person he ever met. I am so blessed to know that my grandfather was very humble and such a servant. My grandfather was such a man of love and full of joy. Anytime in my life, when things would go wrong or if everyone seemed like they were upset with me- grandpa was there, loving on me and telling me it will be okay. He was an example of my Savior- Jesus Christ. The love that he exulted was of God. One friend said, "It is awesome that you got to love him for a short time but now it is time to let him go back to His Father who will LOVE him for more, more for all eternity." How beautiful is that quote? The thought that my God loves us eternally, this concept exceeds my understanding! Just think for a moment? How long is ETERNITY? Our minds cannot even comprehend that it is MORE than forever!! My God is so gracious and He knows exactly the time, the place, and when all things "go down" aka when to make things happen.
   It was time for Grandpa to go home. It was time to let go and trust in the Lord with this void of my grandfather being in my life. Grandpa is not here with me in the flesh but the impact that he had on my life- is FOREVER...Grandpa had an eternal impact on me, on molding my life to look more like my Christ.

 Back to the book- 
      Yet, O Lord, You are our Father; we are the clay, and You are our potter; we are all the work of Your hand. - Isaiah 64:8
     I am being molded by my Creator. God is not in the business of making things easy but He is molding, growing and changing me. This change, molding, growth in this season HAS NOT BEEN EASY but it is bringing glory to my God. May fruit be shown in my life- i pray so, i pray you see it. Tonight in Bible Study- we looked at John 15. 
     * I am the vine, you are the branches. The one who abides in me while I abide in him produces much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing. John 15:5 *


    In scripture, i am borrowing most of these words from the book "He Chose The Nails"- Jesus Christ, when crucified and buried in the tomb,  was wrapped in grave cloth. The apostle John came to see the burial garment as a symbol of triumph. Then the book goes on to say that we all face tragedy. When those times come, we ask ourselves- could God use such things for something good? Romans 8:28 (In EVERYTHING God works for the good of those who love Him." John would tell you that God can turn any tragedy into a triumph, if only you will wait and watch. Through the rags of death, John saw the power of life. Odd to think that God would use something as sad as a burial wrap to change a life? This changes EVERYTHING- the GOSPEL, JESUS and all that He did, gave us life (that is a triumph).
 When i think about these past two weeks, with my grandfather, and Romans 8:28- instead of using the word "In EVERYTHING God...." i was told to replace that word 'everything' with my tragedy. In Grandpa's death God works for the good....this is changing my life for the good. 


   God works in ways that are beautiful. I shall close with this verse that has been constantly on my heart:
For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die; a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted; a time to kill, and a time to heal; a time to break down, and a time to build up; a time to weep, and a time to laugh; a time to mourn, and a time to dance; a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing; a time to seek, and a time to lose; a time to keep, and a time to throw away; a time to tear, and a time to sew; a time to keep silence, and a time to speak; a time to love, and a time to hate; a time for war, and a time for peace. 

                   [Ecclesiastes 3:1-18]
I pray that this blog has blessed you and that it brings hope. 
The Lord is so good, just take the time to thank Him and for His everlasting love, peace, 
comfort, joy, grace and etc that  He provides each and every single day.

*Also, i wanted to say thank you to every single person who has prayed, thought, and loved 
on our family during this time. You have no idea how much you have all meant to me. Lots of

 love for you all! Thanks for being a blessing! 
One of the last pictures with grandpa- my favorite :)
Grandpa & Grandma- married almost 58 years. I pray my future hubby & I will be 
like them :)
we love you very much and we'll meet again!
 


                                                                   Until next time- oxox!