I first posted this entry in June. I have had a very busy day and my children are home with me on fall break. But some things bear repeating. This is one of those.
Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another–and all the more as you see the Day approaching. Hebrews 10:25 (NIV)
God has blessed me tremendously in the area of friendship. I have friends whom I call soul sisters. They are the ones I can be completely transparent with, who know the real me and love me in spite of that knowledge. They have seen the good, the bad, and the ugly and have decided to stick around.
But I also have friends that I have never talked to that lived over a century ago. In my darkest days, they have offered me their wisdom and tremendous encouragement in this journey called life. Some of these friends are Amy Carmichael, Charles Spurgeon, Oswald Chambers, Hudson Taylor, Thomas a Kempis, and many of the martyrs of Jesus Christ. I hear them call to me to continue traveling this crucified life. They are among the cloud of witnesses talked about in Hebrews 12. My newest friend is Mrs. L.B. Cowman whose devotional book, Streams in the Desert, has brought me continual reminders that the road of suffering is nothing new or unusual. I read this poem in her book to my sister the day I left her this last weekend. It is found in her December 19 entry:
If you have gone a little way ahead of me, call back–
It will cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track;
And, if perhaps, Faith’s light is dim, because the oil is low,
Your call will guide my lagging course as wearily I go.
Call back, and tell me that He went with you into the storm;
Call back, and say He kept you when the forest’s roots were torn;
That, when the heavens thunder and the earthquake shook
the hill,
He bore you up and held you where the lofty air was still.
O friend, call back, and tell me for I cannot see your face;
They say it glows with triumph, and your feet sprint in the race;
But there are mists between us and my spirit eyes are dim,
And I cannot see the glory, though I long for word of Him.
But if you’ll say He heard you when your prayer was but a cry,
And if you’ll say He saw you through the night’s
sin-darkened sky–
If you have gone a little way ahead, O friend, call back–
It will cheer my heart and help my feet along the stony track.
selected
Jesus, who can we call back encouragement to today?
I’ve often been encouraged by the stories of saints who’ve gone before me, but I never really thought of them as “friends.” I guess, since they’re my sisters-in-Christ they really can be called friends. We’ve never met, but they encourage me just as they encourage you.
I’ll have to dust off my copy of Amy Carmichael’s life story and finally read it this time.
-karen l.
I have found that the books of the Old Testament have taken on new meaning and I have seen such insights and been encouraged by the examples of the ordinary people of faith who were chosen and led by God to walk through trials and dangers and storms. Many of them suffered more than I, yet God was with them. It is a comfort to me, now, as I make my way through this broken world to know that God is with me just as He has been and always will be.
I just want you to know you are bing prayed for by me, as well as many of your family. Such hard questions, such deep losses and pain and sorrow, I know. But God is always near…I am praying that you will continue to lean on Him and be lifted up and carried only to find that He gives peace and understanding and Joy along the way.
Blessings to you. My heart still aches, and yet I can’t imagine the wonder and delight that Luke and Audrey are experiencing in the glory of the Lord at this very moment.
It makes my heart race. I thank God every day for the Hope of Heaven!
Your faith and insight never cease to amaze. Thank you for sharing your thoughts each day as you travel through this valley. Please know that I am continuing to pray for you, Rob, the children, Nicol and her family. Not a day goes by that I do not think of you all. We love you and miss you.
Allison
Dear Shawnee,
How rich I am was my thought as I read your June post again today, my darling daughter. I love so many things about you! I love your transparency. I love your intense love for your mom and dad. I love the way you follow hard after God. I love your gift of expression. I love your tenacity and passion for Laban. I love the fact that you love your husband and children with you whole heart. I love that as our first born, you have held to high standards and set the stage positively for your younger siblings. I could go on and on, Shawn. You are an incredible daughter and friend. All my love, Mom