Random Moments Are Often Hardest

Following loss, random moments are often hardest.

 

He would have been graduating from high school this spring, but random moments on random days may be harder than graduation day will be...

• Going to soccer games and remembering how much Jona loved the sport and how he excelled...
• Seeing some of Jona’s best friends across the campus or across the room... Watching them become men...
• Watching my own son grow, remembering some of the same milestones in Jona’s life...
• Remembering the special bond between Jona and “DJ” (as he called him). I’m so thankful that our Little Man still gets excited about photos and video clips of his oldest cousin; he was only almost six-months-old the night of Jona’s home-going...

 Thanks, Sarah Joy, for capturing this moment on Nov. 30!

• Waving good-bye to Esther and Esteban and Marcos as they back out of our driveway and start down the street, remembering the many times we waved good-bye when Jona was at the wheel...
• Using a recipe Jona liked...

The last time Jona ate supper at our house, I served Greens & Rice Casserole. He was so sweet as he expressed his appreciation for the meal; I treasure the memories of the time spent together as extended family that evening. And even though that casserole was a dish we also liked, I hadn’t been able to make it since that evening almost two years ago...

 

At the very last minute before leaving on our latest trip, however, I’d thrown a pound of organic baby spinach into a zipper-bag and into the freezer. Upon returning home, I wondered how I’d cook it so my little people would eat it; I really didn’t want to waste it. Finally, after cooking the greens, I made myself pull out the recipe for that casserole...

 

And then... So many precious memories came flooding back with the memories of that last meal Jona ate with us at our house. And with the memories came the tears – and the renewed realization that it really is the random moments that are often the hardest and that catch us off-guard...

 

As you pray for loved ones now going through hardships, remember that our loving Shepherd sees moments only He can see – and He knows best how to comfort, strengthen, and give desperately-needed grace...

Thoughts on “evangelical obedience”

During last night’s prayer meeting, we meditated on Psalm 119:4.

 

You have ordained Your precepts,

That we should keep them diligently.

We examined thoughts from Bridges’ commentary on the psalm. He highlights “evangelical obedience” – and the born-again believer’s motivation for obeying God’s laws.

 

We concluded with the question: What is “evangelical” (i.e. gospel) obedience?

• It is obedience that springs gladly from my grateful love for my Savior’s love. (cf. John 14:15, 21, 23; 15:10; I John 5:3; II John 6; Romans 12:1-2)

• It is obedience that transforms all the business of my day into my Master’s business.

A mother’s day is filled with the care of little people: wiping noses, changing diapers, doing laundry, sweeping up crumbs, again and again… Gospel-inspired obedience means that all (even the most ordinary, routine, menial tasks) will be done as if done unto Christ!

 

At the beginning of a new year, I plead for the grace my Savior stands ever-ready to give – and take heart from these encouraging, motivating thoughts!