Yes! We have to keep praying! When I lose my grip on it, my hold on the big “H”, then I make that my prayer. ☺️🥰🙏. To pray against my own cynicism or bitterness or fear or fatigue. I have never once done that and not felt Him swoop in with a “Yes”. I always feel His reach.
That was a powerful reflection--and amazing that your mom's prayer book fell out right at that point in scripture. You ask questions that all of us have thought--why does it seem that God helps sometimes and ignores us in others? I appreciated your reflection.
Yes. Thank you for this, Amy! The Bible is so clear that He hears All our prayers. And that His decisions and what He allows are totally in line with His character: Good, Holy, Perfect, Wise, Loving. But it is still so hard to not understand. I had a pastor once say, If we knew all that He knew, His movements and decisions would make sense. But we are finite and only see snapshots of an eternal plan. ♥️💕🙏 So we pray on. (And trust and Hope.) Because He is Good. And Yes. My Mom’s prayer book was a stunning moment. And a miracle of encouragement when I needed it most.
🎵joy in who you share it with🎵 everything gets silent when i read your writing. my heart finding Understanding in your shared pain, my mind agreeing, Yes. Yes! this is what grief does/feels like, my soul quietly admitting my prayers of rage, confusion, and 'please help' to God. thank you, friend.
Yes!! Prayers of rage, confusion and ‘please help’.! Dumbfounded some days. Slack-jawed. But we walk in Hope. And have joy in who we share it with. 💕❤️💕🙏 Love you, dear Kari Jo.
Kara, thank you for writing and sharing. I liked the comparison of "hope" and "Hope." A reflection of the tension of the "here and now" and the eternal. I am praying that I will trust Him and still Hope when things are hard.
Dear Kara, thank you for that article and the story about Lizzie‘s passing. It is truly amazing how prayer works and how faith also works. The last part about having the handlebars installed in the bath when your mother’s prayer book fell out to that Section was truly inspirational., and probably assigned from your mom she was looking on. I remember both of them and being so much fun. But especially your mom.! Marcia
I love that you hold such fond memories of them! And Yes, my Mom’s prayer book opening to that turned down page was such a blessing. And I did feel in that moment both my Mom and the Lord Himself coming to me with comfort and love in my deep sorrow. It was a real miracle and I’ll never forget it.
I, too, have struggled with the same nagging, perplexing question about the power of prayer. This really resonates. Another poignant reflection, dear Kara. xo
Thank you sweet Tara. ♥️ thank you for reading. yes, perplexing is a good word! Sometimes I’m like, I know you tell us you’re incomprehensible but do you have to be that incomprehensible?? ☺️😂. But I know too that He uses our waiting and praying (and suffering) to shape us. 🙏💕
Hey you! Yes, some days all we have is the capital ‘H’ Hope. Right? And some days, when we can’t quite get there, we ride on the faith of others I think. We ‘borrow’ faith. I remember that too. 🙏🌺 God is faithful no matter what.
Beautifully written. I too struggle with what God allows and doesn’t. Yet we are to continue to pray, ask and seek. Big “H”, little “h”- I like it.
Yes! We have to keep praying! When I lose my grip on it, my hold on the big “H”, then I make that my prayer. ☺️🥰🙏. To pray against my own cynicism or bitterness or fear or fatigue. I have never once done that and not felt Him swoop in with a “Yes”. I always feel His reach.
Dear Kara,
That was a powerful reflection--and amazing that your mom's prayer book fell out right at that point in scripture. You ask questions that all of us have thought--why does it seem that God helps sometimes and ignores us in others? I appreciated your reflection.
Amy
Yes. Thank you for this, Amy! The Bible is so clear that He hears All our prayers. And that His decisions and what He allows are totally in line with His character: Good, Holy, Perfect, Wise, Loving. But it is still so hard to not understand. I had a pastor once say, If we knew all that He knew, His movements and decisions would make sense. But we are finite and only see snapshots of an eternal plan. ♥️💕🙏 So we pray on. (And trust and Hope.) Because He is Good. And Yes. My Mom’s prayer book was a stunning moment. And a miracle of encouragement when I needed it most.
Dear Kara,
I saved this to read for just the right moment. Today was that moment. Xo
Lydia
Thank you friend! ❤️💕❤️
Thank you for the good word. Sometimes I feel like the tension you speak of may be a feature of the Christian life, not a bug.
Ah, yes. I think you’re right. God uses even this to shape us. 🙏 I like the way you put it. Makes me feel less fearful.
🎵joy in who you share it with🎵 everything gets silent when i read your writing. my heart finding Understanding in your shared pain, my mind agreeing, Yes. Yes! this is what grief does/feels like, my soul quietly admitting my prayers of rage, confusion, and 'please help' to God. thank you, friend.
Yes!! Prayers of rage, confusion and ‘please help’.! Dumbfounded some days. Slack-jawed. But we walk in Hope. And have joy in who we share it with. 💕❤️💕🙏 Love you, dear Kari Jo.
Kara, thank you for writing and sharing. I liked the comparison of "hope" and "Hope." A reflection of the tension of the "here and now" and the eternal. I am praying that I will trust Him and still Hope when things are hard.
Thank you for writing this. It is heartbreaking and beautiful, I miss her so much.
Suzanne! I love seeing you here. Thank you so much for reading. ❤️🙏 it was really sweet to remember this and put it on the page.
Dear Kara, thank you for that article and the story about Lizzie‘s passing. It is truly amazing how prayer works and how faith also works. The last part about having the handlebars installed in the bath when your mother’s prayer book fell out to that Section was truly inspirational., and probably assigned from your mom she was looking on. I remember both of them and being so much fun. But especially your mom.! Marcia
I love that you hold such fond memories of them! And Yes, my Mom’s prayer book opening to that turned down page was such a blessing. And I did feel in that moment both my Mom and the Lord Himself coming to me with comfort and love in my deep sorrow. It was a real miracle and I’ll never forget it.
That’s a wonderful thing to have a confirmation from Spirit! Thanks again . Wonderful writing !
I, too, have struggled with the same nagging, perplexing question about the power of prayer. This really resonates. Another poignant reflection, dear Kara. xo
Thank you sweet Tara. ♥️ thank you for reading. yes, perplexing is a good word! Sometimes I’m like, I know you tell us you’re incomprehensible but do you have to be that incomprehensible?? ☺️😂. But I know too that He uses our waiting and praying (and suffering) to shape us. 🙏💕
So sweet
Hey you! Yes, some days all we have is the capital ‘H’ Hope. Right? And some days, when we can’t quite get there, we ride on the faith of others I think. We ‘borrow’ faith. I remember that too. 🙏🌺 God is faithful no matter what.