For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes, His eternal power and divine nature, have been clearly seen, being understood through what has been made, so that they are without excuse.
Romans 1:20

I’ve always loved the outdoors. I remember as a little girl wandering around my own backyard jabbering at the trees and flowers and myself.

My mother could make anything grow (I did not inherit her green thumb…or rather I did not inherit her diligence when it comes to gardening – hoping to remedy that this year!).  As I grew up amongst forsythia bushes and strawberries, hollyhocks and rose bushes, I was acutely aware of just how beautiful nature could be.

I was always fascinated by wooded areas (what child isn’t? – you should see the hours upon hours my children spend in our woods!)  I could find solace in those random rows of trees.

How can we NOT see God’s magnificence all around us?

In fact, it almost seems ludicrous to assume all of this just accidentally happened.

And of the most deceived of all are the scientist themselves.  The ones who study all of this magnificence!  They know how intricate the design is, yet they insist there is no Designer.

Open your eyes.  You are without excuse.

Weekends in the Word is a ministry of Raising Arrows meant to offer a time of worship and encouragement specifically for those mommies who find themselves, due to circumstances beyond their control, unable to attend worship services with other believers. However, all are welcome here each weekend to feast on His Word.

Bear one another’s burdens, and thereby fulfill the law of Christ.
Galatians 6:2

Some of you may have detected a note of melancholy here at Raising Arrows lately.  Some may have chalked it up to the 4 year anniversary of Emily’s death coming soon, or the 5 year anniversary of my father’s death the week after, or the miscarriage back at Thanksgiving.  While all of these are certainly at the forefront of my mind, there is another burden.

At Christmas, I found out I was surprisingly pregnant again.  We were elated and I was excited to think I would have a new little one to hold and such a wonderful story to tell.  Last Tuesday, my wonderful story died.

Baby’s heart was no longer beating.

The morning sickness and exhaustion continue to plague me as the numbers have not fallen enough to stop that.

And next weekend, we move.

A few nights ago I found myself asking God how much one person could take before they broke in two.

I am broken.  But as I said in my Mom in the Headlights post, perhaps I am right where God wants me.

I don’t like being needy.  I don’t like knowing so much about death.  I don’t like all the waiting and all the pain and stress.  However, I’ve noticed as I’ve shared my burden with others, God has given me more and more peace, more and more strength to keep going.

I cry, but I am comforted.  I am tired, but I rest.  I am weak, but He is strong.

Weekends in the Word is a ministry of Raising Arrows meant to offer a time of worship and encouragement specifically for those mommies who find themselves, due to circumstances beyond their control, unable to attend worship services with other believers. However, all are welcome here each weekend to feast on His Word.

You shall fear the LORD your God; you shall serve Him and cling to Him, and you shall swear by His name. He is your praise and He is your God, who has done these great and awesome things for you which your eyes have seen.
Deut 10:20-21

My world feels a little crazy right now and I am clinging tightly.

But, I must admit, I’m also stressing about it all.

However, the other night as I was chatting with my blog designer, she mentioned how she had started a list of all the ways God has been faithful in her life throughout the years.

And it clicked.

That is what I need.  A list to remind me of all the ways I’ve seen God work in my life over the years.

I’m no stranger to trials and because of that, I’m no stranger to God’s faithfulness.  I’ve seen time and time again.  Why do I so easily forget?

Today, I remember.

Weekends in the Word is a ministry of Raising Arrows meant to offer a time of worship and encouragement specifically for those mommies who find themselves, due to circumstances beyond their control, unable to attend worship services with other believers. However, all are welcome here each weekend to feast on His Word.

Should you not also have had mercy on your fellow slave, in the same way that I had mercy on you? And the lord, moved with anger, handed him over to the torturers until he should repay all that was owed him. My heavenly Father will also do the same to you, if each of you does not forgive his brother from his heart.

Matthew 18:33-35

You will pay for it somehow.  It might be in sleepless nights, your health, your family life, your relationships with others.  Unforgiveness will find you out.

You aren’t cleverly hiding anything.  God already knows.

Let it go.

Weekends in the Word is a ministry of Raising Arrows meant to offer a time of worship and encouragement specifically for those mommies who find themselves, due to circumstances beyond their control, unable to attend worship services with other believers. However, all are welcome here each weekend to feast on His Word.

By faith Rahab the harlot did not perish along with those who were disobedient, after she had welcomed the spies in peace.
Hebrew 11:31

We’ve been reading Joshua in our family devotions at night.  As we read about Rahab, I was struck by how this really bad woman was used by God and eventually ended up in the line of Jesus Christ.

On the surface, that’s one of those, “WHAT?!” moments.  It makes no sense.

Until you read Hebrews.  Two little words…

by faith

She believed.  She trusted.  She was changed.

But the “harlot” title still followed her down through the ages.  However, that title, as demeaning and icky as it is, speaks volumes to the change in her life.

You never know who from your past might see who you are now and be led to Christ.

I once was lost, but now am found.

Weekends in the Word is a ministry of Raising Arrows meant to offer a time of worship and encouragement specifically for those mommies who find themselves, due to circumstances beyond their control, unable to attend worship services with other believers. However, all are welcome here each weekend to feast on His Word.

Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong. Do not be quick with your mouth; do not be hasty in your heart to utter anything before God. God is in heaven and you are on earth, so let your words be few. — Ecclesiastes 5:1,2

I talk.

A lot.

I write.

A lot.

It’s my teacher nature.  It’s my sin nature.  They are two sides of the same coin.

The one is helpful and encouraging.  The other believes I have an answer to everything…even when I don’t.

One stems from the fruit of the Spirit.  The other from pride.

I must learn that often the people in my life need a listening ear far more than they need a lecture.  They need a hug more than they need an answer.  They need a smile more than they need a sermon.

I must learn that having nothing to offer isn’t a sign of weakness, but rather a sign of wisdom.

I must learn the art of being quiet.

Weekends in the Word is a ministry of Raising Arrows meant to offer a time of worship and encouragement specifically for those mommies who find themselves, due to circumstances beyond their control, unable to attend worship services with other believers. However, all are welcome here each weekend to feast on His Word.