I'm leaving today to help my sister with a middle school retreat, somewhere near Houston. But I wanted to get this posted before I left. Stay close and have a wonderful weekend. Pray that my husband and child survive with our house still standing!
A Chapter Closes
There are times when a moment passes and I feel that God has closed a chapter of my life. On this day, I know that a chapter has come to a close and the memories of so many events come flooding back.
Since we were married, we quickly realized our inadequacies in life. Because of this intimate relationship, it became harder to hide those faults than before we were married. God seemed to waste little time in trying to make us more whole and suitable for his indwelling and our intimacy. He has literally chipped away, piece by piece our impurities. One chip a hurtful memory, another painful anger, hopeless feelings, inadequate trust, unattainable expectations, or self-motivated love. And still a chunk of prideful distance and several bad habits chips away. Anything unworthy of God's dwelling has been exposed, for pure loves sake.
Why does this chapter seem to close at this time? Because, God has used the framework of my husband's current job, which comes to a close today, for His restoration of our hearts. We have seen our darkest days during election cycles and sessions of separation: the birth of a child during the start of graduate school. W've juggled jaw surgery, braces, counseling sessions, late-nights, all-nights, a small business, financial strain and distant family relationships during this time. This plus, handling the pressures of an office that operates way outside of our control, but which seem to have controlled us.
So today, this framework comes to a close. The braces are off. The degree issued. The job is complete. The baby is now 2, with one on the way. We have more friends, more real. God is more in control and living in our hearts, giving death in our hearts new life. Broken or misguided dreams have turned into a new promise. Placing all of our hope in our eternal father and not in mortal man.
As the new chapter starts, I pray for a sweeter time, a chapter where our hearts are alive and happy. Where Jesus is our savior everyday Â? and His spirit, our counselor and guide, gives us power over struggle. Where we sing praises more about GodÂ?s glory than manÂ?s accomplishments, and a career where my husband thrives and our family rests on his strengths.
This chapter was not written for us alone. We have needed each one of you. We thank God that you were willing. We celebrate how God used you. That you were with us at the close of this chapter and that you are present at the beginning of the next. Let us all live better, more eternally.
Isaiah 30: 15-18
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4 comments:
Congratulations Sarah. Moving on can be really rewarding. Come over to eat at the Murrays soon!
Thanks for your words Sarah- so incredibly powerful and well said. I hope you and Amy have a fantastic time, and I hope your men enjoy a weekend of male-bonding.....
We don't know each other, but i stumbled upon your blog through Jackson's. Just felt compelled to let you know that I was blessed and encouraged by what you shared in A Chapter Closes. I am blessed by the thought of taking Jesus as Savior and Counselor daily. May it be real. May He be real.
thank you, sarah, for the passage you shared from isaiah...
"in repentance and rest is your salvation, in quietness and trust is your strength".
i think this is the only posture for a believer. how different than the "self-made man" mentality of twenty-first century america. how distinct from the mantras of our modern christian culture.
watchman nee writes that only what is eternal survives the cross. and only what is of the Spirit of God is eternal. i don't think these things that are "of the Spirit" are qualities... not "being nice" or "patience" or "humility" or anything else we consider virtues. that which is of the Spirit must be a who, not a what. it is Jesus himself that God gives us, not a bunch of qualities. he IS our humility and our patience and our trust (only he can trust Father... only he can love others and be patient and gentle and good). that all to say, what has transpired -- the heartache and suffering and tears -- has been the cross in your and kevin's lives, most (if not all) of it orchestrated by God himself to break his Son in you free from any self-confidence and fleshliness that encases him in you guys. i think i'm pretty bull headed (and see many christians similar) about taking the cross -- and certainly don't welcome it -- but you and kevin have suffered well. you have been faithful through some harrowing stuff, and it has (honestly) given me faith watching you as you stay in the arena. you have had a hard, hard last several years, but what the Lord God has done in you and kevin is for the bride, the whole church, the kingdom. his work has been for erin and me and for the mccoys and the specks and for your small group and your parents and kev's parents all the multitude you and kevin will have contact with through the rest of your lives. and i know, sarah, that it will all be worth it. Jesus, and his glory together with his bride, is worth every ounce of it.
so thanks for your sharing. i'll need you to remind me of these things when i'm in the arena again. all of us, we need each other in Jesus. thanks for being faithful to the truth.
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