A third-place ribbon of a first-place portrait of two first-rate boys. My boys. Two sons digging their way through the soil on a Bolivian mountainside, investing their hearts into a place I’ve never been, all because of their love for Jesus and for his created. And I am moved by her generosity… this photographer named Jessica who listened to the whisper in her heart that softly spoke a sacred directive, “Their momma needs to see them today.”
I did… need to see them. And through tears that can only be explained as a watering from God’s own heart, I come undone before him and tell him that “I’m sorry” for those one or two or ten times last week when I thought it was too hard. When I wanted to give up. When I lost focus for a few moments and believed that the light was too dim… that there was little else left on this earth for me to enjoy.
{photograph by Jessica Turner, 2010. all rights reserved}
I was wrong. There is so much more to enjoy. My boys shine as living witnesses to me in this moment, and for them, I’ll take treatment number two and three, all the way through until the end when I can then, perhaps, make the trek with them up that mountainside and put my own hands into the sacred soil where they’ve already planted tender seed.
Planting the fields together… as family, as friends, as brothers and sisters alongside one another on the same trajectory of grace and understanding. Thank you, Father, for the gifts of my womb and for this gift from a friend. Both will serve as stones of remembrance for me next week when the light is shadowed by darkness.
Even so, burn brightly, King Jesus, and fan into flame the flickers of your grace. I am exceedingly grateful for and humbled by their warmth. You have been very good to me.
beautiful, Godly, yielded heart, choosing HIM… poetry, by Elaine.
Can I say it one more time?? You bless my life.
Hugs!
Oh Elaine. This is beautiful. You are too my sweet friend. I love you so.
LC
Continuing to lift you to our Father!! Blessings all over you, my friend.
Leah
Oh, Elaine! Thank you. Thank you for sharing with us! KING JESUS has touched me again with your words and your heart.
Much love and holy hugs!
Thank you for sharing your light. God is so gracious, and His grace pours from your soul. I love you, my friend. Your words are a beautiful, soothing balm of truth.
Praying with great expectations of God's good,
Andrea
What a sweet blessing from God given through a friend! Thank you for sharing your journey, the struggles and the joys with us. I am praying for you, Elaine. God will bring you up that mountain!
Living for Him, Joan
It's incredible how God places angels in our lives to send us just what we need at the right times! Love you and continued prayers for your family!
it's a beautiful photo – what a blessing to have such an image of your boys serving Jesus.
praying for you in those one, two or ten moments when it is just too hard and the darkness is so heavy, that you will know even more deeply your Lord – your Light and your salvation.
I cannot wait until I meet those two young men – and your two littles – in person. They are a blessing, just like their mama! 🙂
Love you…
I love the way God gives us just what we need when we need it. May He continue to hold you and see you through, Elaine!
Oh how wonderful is this? That this woman would listen to God's voice and be obedient and therefore bring you such joy and hope and strength for all you must do. He WILL lift you up and meet your needs even when you don't think you can make it. PRAISE GOD! Can't tell you how much this touch of love from Him blessed me. Thank you soo much for sharing it. Still praying. Hugs, Debbie
If you've barely scratched the surface of who God is………I've got a looooooooooong way to go. You are a true blessing. Praying for you.
Debbie
You shine precious one, love you bunches.
God loves you so very much and it shows in every word you write. What a blessing you are to all, Elaine.
Continuing to pray for you and your family.
Indeed, dear Elaine, what you are going through is a shared journey. We're not mere spectators, we're fellow travelers with you.
Thanks for allowing us that privilege.
Love
Lidj
(: ((HUGS))
I thank God for the inspiration He's used through your sons! What better way to buoy a mother's heart, and to infuse new life into an otherwise difficult course.
Precious. Just precious.
Kathleen
Blessings and hugz to you my friend Elaine. God used this message to remind me of one I heard this past Sunday and is urging me to pen it so that others may also reap rewards of HIS good news. Happy Friday!
i think this is my favorite piece you have
written and agree with sonja, that it reads
like poetry.
i also agree with you, if i can see my kids
following Him wherever He leads them, i
can get through, too.
i am praying for your strength, peace,
and continued grace. and, of course,
complete recovery!
I'm praying for you today Elaine. blessings, marlene
Have to agree with Sassy…what better way to encourage the heart of a Momma than through her precious boys. Praying God continues to give you everything you need each step of this journey. I know He will. Continuing to lift you before Him. I love you.
Tracy
Touching story… praying for you over and over and over. So glad our God is so good.
God will net let you give up. He sent you a picture of your sons and a reminder of His Son's grace. Now that is a beautiful picture…together. If you can Elaine, check out my last Turtle Tuesday post. I had been sharing in a small group about stones of remembrance in my life. Obviously God was listening and decided to add a new stone to my pile. My husband and I are in the process of remodeling our fireplace. We are using dressed fieldstone. As we unpacked the stone I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Only God would send a stone shaped like a turtle. He didn't stop at just a visual. He had a powerful message for B 'written' in the stone. The message fits with your post today. Another God milestone on our journey. I pray for your strength and peace as you walk through this dark time. You will climb the mountain. The stone is a reminder that your step are secure. love ya, B