Monday, January 18, 2010

God Is Here


I'm having a hard time putting words to a post right now. This past week has been full of all sorts of emotions that don't seem as though they should co-exist in one week. From the devastation in Haiti to putting a contract on a different house to a dear YL buddy passing away unexpectedly to packing up friends that are moving to Uganda for a couple of years to celebrating my best friends birthday, it has been a crazy week. I'm having a hard time wrapping my head around all of it. And after visiting St. Andrew's on Sunday, I'm reminded more than ever that God Is Here, even amongst the fiery furnace (see Hannah Alexander's post for a great re-cap http://contentedme.wordpress.com/). It is such a relief to know that. I started to think about how I can prepare Harrison for hard times. Immediately, I just felt a sense of brokenness. I don't want him to hurt; in fact, I don't want him to experience pain. I feel like I would do anything to make sure it doesn't happen. Recognizing the impossibility of this, I take comfort in knowing that God will be there with him during those times.
I love this boy. I love the joy that I see on his face. When I snapped this picture, I immediately thought of my brother. His expression reminded me of my brother's face when he was younger (though he is older than me). I always remember that my brother smiled often. And if he wasn't smiling, he was thinking about how things work, or how he could make it different. I think Harrison is similar. I see that same look in his eyes. Since Harrison was born, Adam and I have been praying the same prayer daily for Harrison: that the Lord would be the center of his life, and that people would be changed be his presence and the way he loves others and loves life. And when I see this picture, I can only think of the Joy of the Lord.

2 comments:

Hannah Alexander said...

gosh... I am shedding a few little tears over that, what beautiful words! And what more could you want for your son? When I think about what TRUE pain is, I think the hopelessness of going through life without the peace of God as #1. It's pretty awesome that he has two parents who are praying this over him and showing him what that actually looks like to walk out in daily life... you are an AMAZING MOM, Mandy!!!!!

Unknown said...

What a wonderful post!!!!