27 August 2008

Bear It We Must

It is hard to be happy today when others are suffering. All I could think of this morning when I woke up was this line that Elisabeth Elliot opened her radio show with for years. You are loved with an everlasting love...and underneath are the everlasting arms. If anyone knew what it was to be held by everlasting arms, it was that amazing woman.
In the last week I have heard so many terrible things -
The loss of a child
The end of a marriage
A cancer diagnosis
It all seems to much to bear at times, and yet bear we must. Even when it is hard. Even when we feel we can't. We are witnesses and participants in pain. I have no answers.

Today is our 20th anniversary - Travis and I, which is nothing short of a miracle. It feels wrong to find anything worth rejoicing over when other are hurting so much.
Lord bear up under us with everlasting arms. Oh how we need You.

13 comments:

  1. You can't stop your life because others are suffering. You pray, you grieve, you send your love and feel for them.

    You and Travis married for 20 years with all of the turmoil and upheaval is indeed something to celebrate.

    Congratulations!
    Love ya lots :)

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  2. I understand what you are saying completely. Do celebrate 20 years with your sweetie in some way anyway - all the folks with sadness would not want you to do any less. Love, Mel

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  3. Each moment has a life & significance of its own. This moment - your 20th anniversary - is celebratory and rich, despite the devastation surrounding it. Though you may not feel joyous at today, I'm pleased to hear you're still capable of cherishing the miracle of long-lasting marriage in your heart.

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  4. Congratulations on 20 years. I'm almost there (18 1/2)

    I know it sounds trite, but there is a time for everything under Heaven. Don't let this day pass without celebrating it for the victory it is.

    Morn the losses, commiserate with the sad and pray for the weary, but don't forget to celebrate the victories too.

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  5. Happy anniversary! 20 years of marriage really is something to rejoice over.
    My heart aches for your blogging friend. That is the worst thing in the world, and yet by faith we know the truth in that quote - "You are loved with an everlasting love...and underneath are the everlasting arms." (I used to listen to that radio program too)

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  6. Happy Anniversary Jewels! It is a milestone worth celebrating and one you have both worked really hard to reach! Happiness in the midst of tears is such a sweet happiness. I've experienced alot of that this past weekend.

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  7. Thank you for sharing, my prayers go out to you, your family & the Drews.

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  8. Happy 20th! No matter what else is going on in your life or with friends, you've gotta celebrate because you guys are worth it!

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  9. WOW! 20 years is definitely worth celebrating!
    I'm sorry it is surrounded by so much mind-numbing atrocity.
    I do hope you'll make a way to celebrate each other, though. 20 years is no small thing!
    Congratulations!!

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  10. This is your time to celebrate, even as you mourn for the sadness around you. Congratulations on 20 years- that is a big deal!

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  11. Just because there is sorrow around doesn't mean we shouldn't stop and celebrate life's joys. We've reached 20 years too, and not every moment has been bliss, but we've endured it all together and are stronger for it. I'm sure you can say the same.

    Penny

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  12. Julie ~
    Can you simply reply to this??? It has me all signed in with my google/blogger account. Please try doing the same and leave a comment for me, if possible. Thanks!

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  13. 20 years is a dancing in the streets celebration! You should celebrate! Life gives us lemons... but it also gives us lemon-aid. Please don't pass-up an opportunity to celebrate this miracle in your life.

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Awaiting your words......
♥ Juls ♥