"God. Is. With. Us."
I have been thinking about those four words a lot lately. With Christmas only days away, I'm loudly reminded of the day that God stepped out of Heaven to become one of us. He chose to walk among us and die on a cross, not only for my sins, but for the sins of this world. He made a way for us to always have a relationship with Him, and Him with us. God is with us, always.
Alex and I were asked a few months ago to share at the Christmas Eve service how those four words have impacted our life, with special focus on how it's impacted our journey with Cale. When we first agreed to this I was ecstatic! I was so excited to share our story with the congregation of our church, especially since so many of those people have been with us since the very first day Cale came into this world.
Now with the Christmas Eve less than two weeks away, I find myself at a loss for words. I have so many thoughts floating in my head but no way to do them justice merely through words. I'm imagining a sanctuary full of people, many who probably do not know Jesus, and me wanting to say something profound and meaningful that might draw them to my Jesus. I want people to see the existence of a living God through our story but I'm having such a difficult time forming my thoughts into words that will do just that. At this point I'm really just relying on God to take over as soon as I walk up on that stage.
I'm also doubting the person's decision who decided that Alex and I were the best people to share a testimony. I know several people who have been through, or are going through, many more difficult things, and these people could probably do a whole lot better at conveying their point to thousands of people. Why us? The irony of this is that once the shock of finding out Cale was different wore off, Alex and I dreamed of being able to do something like this. We wanted the situations God had given us to draw people to Him; to have people see God in the way we lived our life. Now we've been blessed with this incredible opportunity and all I want to do is stay in bed with the sheets pulled over my head until Christmas is over.
Perhaps I could get inspired by some of your thoughts. How has the phrase, "God is with us", impacted your life?
Please, Christmas! Don't come too quickly this year. I need more time!
3 comments:
That is so exciting that you get to share during the Christmas Eve service. I wish we could be there to hear it! I know you and Alex will do great! God will give you the right words to use. He's clever like that :)
I wish I had some words of wisdom to give you but I too I have a hard time putting my thoughts and experiences into simple words. But here's one thought for you. When I see William smile or Samantha smile it can instantly brighten my day, even on the worst day. It reminds me that God is so good to us, and he has blessed me in so many ways, even though I know I don't deserve them. Even though I am a sinner God still loves me! It's such a powerful love! I guess what I am trying to say is I now God is with us when I am surrounded by my children.
I hope this helps a little, and I will keep you and Alex in my prayers. Much love to you all! If I don't see you before Christmas, have a VERY MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!
I hope this isn't too late. I have been thinking what I could say or write to help you with your testimony and my desire to be "profound" somehow could not shine through so now I'm just going to tell it the best way I know how. I have always been a "believer". From the day I was 12 years old and I was baptized at my Baptist church in Casper, WY. No family, no friends. My mom dropped me off at the church prior to the service and picked me up with wet hair after the fact. I begged her to come and she nor my dad would. I think my brother was in Germany. I made the decision and went with it. My belief was cemented the day our Cale was born. I remember speeding to Missoula on his birthday with the primary goal as to comfort you while you were on bedrest to prevent premature labor. I was scared but nothing compared to when I topped the Bozeman pass and I received the phone call that you were being sent to the OR to have a C-section to deliver our boy...."ready or not"! I remember screaming, crying, and yelling to God to please, please let you can Cale be okay. I have never been more scared in my life!!! You know what? He answered!!!! Cale was brought to us to teach us Faith. How can you not believe when you see what Cale has done for his family and friends? His time here has taught us to deal with difficult "lows" but more importantly...incredible "highs". He, alone, has solidified my and your dad's faith. God is Good and HE did this. What a clever being he is???? I know, without a doubt, you and Alex will do an incredible job this evening and remember that IF only one person "gets it", that's more than enough. I am so very proud of you and your family and we are with you in spirit and love. You've given so much already, as has Cale, this is just icing on the cake. Bless you baby! xoxoxoxo mom
Erica, you and Alex did awesome sharing your testimony with us that Evening. It was very powerful and touching and I am sure it brought tears to everyones eyes as it did mine. Cale is an awesome testimony of the power of God just as any "normal" child shows us. But personally I think Cale is blessed to show us that even more so than a "normal" child. He is a marvelous work of art designed by His majestic Creator and God says "Behold, he is very good" and Cale is learning to glorify God with his intricate body just as any other child does. And thank the Lord we have His promises to cling to and hold Him to when times are difficult for us. Thanks for blessing us with sharing a very vulnerable part of your lives with all those who heard. Love, Carrie
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