As I opened my eyes this morning Gratitude was what the Lord spoke to me. I am trying Lord is what I said to him. I am trying to figure out how to truly be thankful despite Joshua being gone because the truth of the matter is that I am still very blessed. One might say how so? And my answer is that I have life and that more abundantly. #JOHN1010
John 10:10
10 The thief comes only to steal and kill[a] and destroy; I have come so that they may have life, and may have it abundantly.
To be honest this was not the first time that God has said this to me. Last year after Joshua funeral I was sitting on my sofa thinking about what I just really had to endure and that still small voice said Gratitude. And with tears in my eyes, I said Lord teach me how to truly be grateful. This is something that I have made a conscious decision to really try to live out since then despite Joshua being gone. I remember saying to someone that losing Joshua was the worst thing that could ever happen to me, and she said no it is not, losing all your children you be. But I never looked at it like that. I still have 5 more children that the Lord has blessed me with, but we miss Joshua forever. Am I looking at my situation correctly is what I ask myself from time to time?
Personal Reflection
Lord something has to break with this spirit of grief. Lead me through this and help me to see my situation in depth and learn what you want me to learn while enduring this battle. Would you open my eyes and anyone else that wants to be set free from this cage that grief tries to hold us in. In your presence there is freedom. May peace reign in our hearts to know that I can stand firm on the solid rock that you have provided for us because the storm is raging. #Peacebestill
Romans 8:28 says that we know that all things work together for the good of those that Love God to them that are called according to his purpose. #IhaveapurposeinChristJesus
Lord help my readers deal with whatever it is that they are facing this month quiet the storm.
The grief I feel from losing a child hits different, but God is my strong tower. He carries my burdens. In the book of Isaiah Chapter 53:3-4 says He and I want you to know when you see he the scripture is speaking of Jesus our great High Priest.
He was despised and rejected by people,
one who experienced pain and was acquainted with illness;
people hid their faces from him;
he was despised, and we considered him insignificant.
4 But he lifted up our illnesses,
he carried our pain;
even though we thought he was being punished,
attacked by God, and afflicted for something he had done.
I find peace in reading this repeatedly because it shows that God knows exactly what I am experiencing, and this is something that many struggle with because it is hard to speak the feeling into terms at times.
I think a lot of times when hard times hit, we focus mainly on the situation rather then what is happening in the right now. Joshua is missed so much and will forever be missed but I got eighteen beautiful years with him and for that I am thankful. To my reviewer can I ask you a question? Do you have gratitude to God and all that he has given you despite your current situation? And how can we live out this walk in a way that we are not tied to our hard times? Please feel free to email your response I would love to hear from you and can be reached at jjeb@iftheheartcouldspeak.com.
Two months ago, I met with a woman of excellence, and she asked me if she could help me in anyway on this journey with Christ what would it be? My response was I want to have a better understanding on how Job was able to say after all that he lost that he knows that his redeemer lives (Job 19:25). The bible says that Job was a blameless and upright, one who feared God. Job had seven sons and three daughters but as the verse that I will insert below will show you is that tragedy struck his home and all his children passed on. In this chapter when closely looked at he experienced all the stages of grief. But just like us you can see that God was there with Job every step of the way and will uphold you when feeling sad and alone.
Personal Prayer
Lord just as you helped Job deal with the shock, hurt and pain of losing his children help me, help us. The tunnel may seem dark, but I know that there is light coming. Help me to hold fast to your promise. Having Gratitude despite my situation is where I want to be found.
Job 1:18 reads While this one was still speaking another messenger arrived and said, “Your sons and your daughters were eating and drinking wine in their oldest brother’s house, 19 and suddenly[by] a great wind swept across the wilderness and struck the four corners of the house, and it fell on the young people, and they died! And I—only I alone—escaped to tell you!”
I want to skip down to Chapter 2:9 and it says 9 Then his wife said to him, “Are you still holding firmly to your integrity? Curse God, and die!” 10 But he replied, “You’re talking like one of the godless women] would do! Should we receive what is good from God, and not also receive what is evil?” In all this Job did not sin by what he said.
Now why I put this second verse in is because I want to show you that those around you can have an impact about how you overcome the situation. Do you have wise counsel in your corner? One that with speak live and truth instead of death and negativity.#Thinkaboutit
After reading this I had to ask myself if I have been seeing my situation foolishly? Maybe I have or maybe I haven’t but one thing I know for sure is that that I want God to lead me. I believe firmly that there is a way that God wants us to grieve and if we are willing to except his help and guidance he will lead us. Lord, will you help me today remember that regardless of what has happen and will happen that your word is living and active and for that reason alone Gratitude is something that I should always have because you always keep your word and are found to be faithful.
Yes, it is extremely difficult at time but thank God for his mighty hand. My whole outlook on life has changed and I don’t want to remain is in the past and I don’t want my readers to stay there either. Moving on is hard but know that complacency will only hurt us more. What is for me is for you as well. #breakthrough
Here what God spoke about you in Jeremiah 29:11 he said For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. Being without Joshua has taught me to be intentions about my relationships and sometimes that means the removal of some. But most importantly to make use of the time that I have with my children because tomorrow is not promised #nothingis
If you can take away anything from this week’s post and be open to a few suggestions I would like to share what the Lord has been challenging me to do more and more. And to be honest I was reluctant at first but honestly it was the best change I ever made
1. turn off the devices and get outside just enjoy life.
2. Talk, hug and eat and get merry off the things that money can’t buy nor replace.
3. Remember that Life is short, and time is ticking
4. Live at peace with all men (Romans 12:18)
5. Love one another and take nothing for granted
The love that I have for the Lord and his faithfulness is what keeps me going.
Lord strengthen me and be with your viewers this week. I pray that lives will be surrendered to you. I ask in you sons name that there will be an outpour of generosity for your people. And pertaining to Joshua cases Lord reveal and cover new clues and let every hidden place be swept clean that evidence will lead the police right to the front door to his killers and that witnesses will be brave and speak the truth because they know that what was done was not right in your eyes and I seal with prayer with the power of the Holy Spirit.
#LordItrustyou and will serve you till my last breath
Songs of the Week
1. Promise -Maverick City Music
2. Loved by you -Travis Greene
3. Evidence- Maverick City Music
4. God will work it out- Maverick City music
I do not own any rights to the music
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