Well

So today, on a day like any other, on a trip to Walmart like any other, I’ll tell you how my day completely turned around.

As I was getting Noah out of the car I had him in his carrier and I walked across the way and rolled this buggy to see if it was a good buggy (we all know how those shopping carts with testy wheels can be) and I heard someone say “here’s a good one”. So I walked over to this elderly lady and she asked me how old Noah was and so I answered and she then proceeded to tell me, a complete stranger about her day. About how her daughter lost her baby this morning, about how she was nine months along, the umbilical cord got wrapped around the baby’s neck and the baby was strangled. She talked about how they had a big Christmas planned for her and now they were just going to have to give all of her stuff away. By the end of our conversation she had tears pouring down her face, and I was fighting back mine. As I’m standing there looking at Noah, looking at the most precious gift I’ve been given, I can’t even begin to fathom the pain that that family is feeling. So I did the only thing I knew to do. I prayed. I prayed so hard for this woman, and her family. I praised Jesus for the life he gave me, for the life put inside of me, and for the little baby boy that six months ago changed my life in a way that no words can describe.

As I was walking through Walmart I found myself fighting back tears, tears of sadness, and tears of joy.

I thought for a moment of what Mary and Joseph must’ve felt like. Mary watching the same child she felt in her womb, being nailed to the cross. And Joseph, when he held baby Jesus for the first time, probably thinking just for this moment let Him be, simply, just my child. And then having to watch him some years later, take on the sins of the world. See because Mary and Joseph were 100% human, just like you and I. Feeling the same emotions we do. And any parent knows there is no stronger bond on this planet than the love of a parent.

But see here’s the great thing about this story. That’s not where it ends. See, Jesus rose again. From death to life! So that we could walk from death to life.

And so I know for this family, that is feeling so much pain, that’s not where your story ends either. I know above all else that there is a plan and a purpose for your pain. We may not know this side of eternity but I know that you too will rise again. That beauty will come from the ashes.

‘He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death’ or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away.” (Revelation 21:4 NIV)

~ by shaybenthall on December 6, 2012.