How is everyone doing?

January 14, 2023

Psalms 3:3-53
But thou, O Lord, art a shield for me, My glory, and the lifter up of my head.4 I cried onto the Lord with my voice, and he heard me out of his Holy hill.5 I laid me down and slept, I awaked; for the Lord sustained me.

I have been sharing my journey with grief due to the murder of my son since March 2022. Sharing my thoughts on how grief has changed me but also many other subjects that God has highlighted to me during this process that all come into play when learning to navigate through a traumatic event. As I was driving this morning the Lord spoke to me and said “Ask your If the Heart Could Speak family how they are doing? I don’t know if you have noticed but the site has a couple of new and exciting features and one of them is that you are now able to leave feedback in the comments section.

Often when writing my mind goes to thinking about the other families that have or are dealing with the death of a child. I think about how they are coping and also at times the ones that are unfortunately in years beyond my walk in this, and if they have any advice for me and my family on what we can do to make sure we heal from this but never forget the part of Joshua that I must hang onto to because I won’t rob me a second time. As a mom of a child that was murdered, there are so many emotions that I feel and although some may say I express myself very well each week, there is a mountain of things that I still have not been able to put my words at. I miss Joshua so much it cannot be expressed by words, tears, or silence. And that is why I believe the Lord told me to have you all speak this week.

I feel it’s time to hear from you all and what has been on your mind. We are all facing something that has caused us some sort of grief. And I believe that the Heart of God no longer wants you to carry this burden around. All comments will be private unless otherwise specified and please if you feel more comfortable leaving out your personal contact your confidentiality will be upheld with the uttermost respect.

Proverbs 18:24

One who has unreliable friends soon comes to ruin, but there is a friend who sticks closer than a brother.

We all need that friend that does not know the back story but will just sit there and listen. Not all conversations need a response is what the Lord is saying to me. I can’t tell you the about of times I just wish I had someone that I could just say what I need to say and not have them feel like they need that a response is warranted. And this is something that the Lord has been teaching me, that it’s okay to just come before him to speak and not look for a response or just listen and remain silent. Does it mean that he is not listening? No, but what it means is that he understands the power of a listening ear #PraisethenameofJesus. And that is what I plan on doing once your comments start coming in Read, pray if the Holy Spirit leads me to, and be silent. When you submit your comments please don’t be alarmed if you do not see them right away reasoning being I do have to approve them and will only make public those that state they don’t mind their feedback being released.

Proverbs 4:20-22

My son, pay attention to what I say; turn your ear to my words. 21 Do not let them out of your sight, keep them within your heart;22 for they are life to those who find themed health to one’s whole body.

I do not know what this year holds for me and my family. September is a few months from now and at that time it will be two years without Joshua. Am I sad? grieved and disappointed to know that I have to continue without him, but I have to not only for myself but for my children.

God has been teaching me to not look back and leave the worrisome parts of this story behind but the enemy speaks differently, James 4:7 says Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil, and he will flee from you. Refuting the lies that the enemy speaks Isaiah 54:17 and covering your mind with the Helmet of Salvation (Ephesians 6:17) is a sure way to do this. And don’t be scared because For God hath not given us the spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind (2 Timothy 1:7). Psalm 138:8 The Lord will [a]perfect that which concerns me; Your mercy, O Lord, endures forever; Do not forsake the works of Your hands. And I claim this verse for me and my family’s lives, only the good parts of this story I will carry. what does it look like? I don’t know but God does and I am confident that he will show me the way and how to do it. If I can leave you with a word this week it would be to allow God to teach you how to make peace with your past and allow him to walk you through this new thing that he so desperately wants to do.

Isaiah 43:19
See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland.

Heavenly Father, Righteous king I pray that the Peace of God which passeth all understanding shall keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus Philippians 4:7.God this week I am asking that your word would release your children from what they are been enduring for as long as they have. Break strongholds and demolish every whisper that has been sent to cause them confusion. 1 Corinthians 14:33 says For God is not the author of confusion, but of peace, as in all churches of the saint’s Lord bring clarity to everything they set their minds to do in the matchless name of Jesus Christ.

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Song of the week Jireh by Maverick City Music

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