Last week, I highlighted the following quote in Oswald Chambers’ devotional My Utmost for His Highest:
“Perseverance means more than just hanging on, which may be only exposing our fear of letting go and falling. Perseverance is our supreme effort of refusing to believe that our hero is going to be conquered.”
What does this mean to you? I know what it means to me.
It means I keep holding on… to hope, to goals, to my dreams, to prayers I’m praying, yes… but more than anything, holding on to my Hero, my Savior, the only One who will never, ever be conquered.
Because as Romans 8 tells us, we are more than conquerors through Jesus, and no matter what the highs and lows or the present or the future brings, we win because none of it can separate us from Him.
Whatever your current battle, persevere, my friend. Because your God is the unconquerable Hero.
No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers,neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. {Romans 8:37-39}
Since the due date that has already come and gone once since ourmiscarriage, this time it’s not just her due date, but her first birthday.
One year. Our baby would have been one year old this weekend. It’s kinda surreal.
Sometimes I try to imagine what life would be like right now, with a little one toddling around our home. It’s a happy picture. I know our home would be full of more laughs, more tears, more noise, more slobber…and so much joy.
And I wonder, what would it be like? What would be different about our everyday life, our schedule, our marriage, our friendships? Who would we be with a one-year-old in the mix?
We’re changed, because loss changes people. Our past 20 months would have been worlds different if our baby had lived, and because of that, we ourselves would be different.
Because in addition to being one year since our first baby’s due date, it has also been {just over} one year since we began the journey to have a second baby. Having PCOS makes this much more of a challenge for us.
And while the loss and this past year have been – at various times – difficult, heartbreaking, infuriating, and lonely, I believe with all my heart that our God is using these times to shape Brett and me into His image, into people with childlike faith who more closely resemble Himself.
When I grieve, when I shatter, when I rejoice… if I draw near to Him, He is always faithful to satisfy.
So, it’s been one challenging, full, blessed year, and even on the hardest days, I wouldn’t trade journeys for the blessings and opportunities the Lord has given us and the ways He is growing us. To Him be the glory, in our joys and sorrows.
If you’ve lost a little one, please feel free to use this graphic in your own social media. {with credit back to this post, if you don’t mind!} I love increasing awareness for the 1 in 4 women who suffer miscarriage. Sharing our babies’ birthdays is a good way to do that.
First, I want to start by saying this is not a generic letter. I’m not writing to some hypothetical single girl who I imagine might read this post. No, I’m thinking of you – my sweet single friends. I could call you by name, and in fact, I already did this morning. I spoke your names to the Father, one by one, and asked Him to help you feel loved, cared for, and full of hope today.
I’m so thankful to have each of you in my life! Whether we’re close friends today, or we haven’t kept in touch lately, somewhere along the way you’ve been an important part of my life. With some of you, I walked the single journey side-by-side for a while, with all its rejoicing and bemoaning, wondering and dreaming, laughing and weeping. Some of us had a secret Never Been Kissed Club (you know who you are!). I treasure each one of you.
“Put a ring on it!” Our single girls Valentine’s Day party a few years ago.
I know Valentine’s Day can be hard when you don’t have someone to share it with. Really, it’s just a silly, commercialized holiday, but at the same time, it’s a day when you’re bombarded with hearts, flowers, cheesy Facebook posts, engagement announcements… reminders that “everyone else” has what you don’t have.
And sometimes the single life seems unbearable and never-ending. I get it. I didn’t start dating my husband until I was twenty-seven. The single journey, despite the unique blessings and joys it carries, is hard.
And days like Valentine’s Day can amplify that.
So today, I really don’t have any magic words for you, because I know you’ve heard it all. You’ve heard all the well-meaning advice, and I know you don’t want to hear
“God has a plan…” “He’s preparing the right man for you…” “Enjoy your freedom…” “Singleness is a gift…” “It will happen when you stop looking…”
Really, there are two things I want to tell you today. The first is this: Please don’t ever believe that you are somehow less-than or not-arrived because you are unmarried. I know married people can often make single people feel that way, but it’s just not true.
You have worth as a person. You have wisdom and experience that is unique to being a single woman in the world today. You have purpose. Your friendship is a blessing. You have valuable gifts to offer. Your journey matters.
So never think that because you aren’t married, you haven’t “arrived” in life yet. Singleness is a season and marriage is a season, and both are priceless.
And second, I want you to know what I’m praying for you today:
That you feel inexpressibly loved. Because you are! Loved by a Heavenly Father and a Savior who died for you, literally moved heaven and earth and gave everything to be with you. Loved by your family. Loved by your friends. Loved by countless people whose lives you bless, and you don’t even know it.
That you believe God’s plans for you are so, so good. Even if today, it feels like He’s forgotten you. Even if today, you feel lonely, stuck, and hopeless. Dare to believe, dear friend, that He is working together all the details and creating a story so beautiful, you’ll be utterly amazed as you see it unfold.
That you are filled up. Not lacking. Not feeling like something is missing. That you are full of joy, full of hope, full of purpose, full of love.
Sweet friends, you’re on my heart and in my prayers today. I love and appreciate each one of you so much! Be encouraged and go spread some love today, wherever you are.
