Tag: Weakness

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When Jesus Weeps: Knowing the God of Compassion

Dear Sister,

It’s always been very easy for me to take or leave romantic relationships. Silly as it may sound, “working things out” for whatever reason was never a thought that even went through my head. Every issue was a make it or break it issue—I was that naive.

I know now that relationships take a lot of work—even when you really like the person you are with. It may seem easy for a time, but eventually the rose-colored glasses come off and the problems start appearing apparently out of nowhere. Those lovey dovey feelings you felt in the beginning are now somehow replaced with irritation, frustration, or even disappointment with your significant other.

But Jesus does not leave us alone with our emotions on those days. He doesn’t frown upon the days when you’re not your usual bubbly self, singing in the car on the way home from work. If you read the psalms you’ll see that God never dismisses our emotions, but encourages us to engage with Him through them.

But perhaps the most profound verse in the Bible is also the shortest verse: Jesus wept. (John 11:35)

Did you ever find it curious that when Mary and Martha sent word to Jesus that Lazarus was dying, Jesus intentionally waited TWO more days in the place where he was before going to Judea where Lazarus was? He knew Lazarus’ illness and death was “for the glory of God, so that the Son of God may be glorified through it” (John 11:4). So, he waited, and Lazarus died.

When Jesus does arrive, Lazarus has already been in the tomb four days. But before he even gets to the tomb we are told that Jesus was “deeply moved in his spirit and greatly troubled” at the sight of Mary and those with her weeping. Then, instead of going straight for the grand finale of the resurrection, Jesus takes the time to weep at the tomb. Jesus wept!

In this ordinary display of grief, Christ reveals not only his humanity, but also his divinity. He shows us that God is a compassionate and emotional being who is willing to come alongside us and walk through whatever it is we might be going through.

For me, I struggle with loving someone that I’m in a romantic relationship with. In fact, in all my feeble attempts at romance, I don’t think I successfully loved any of one of them. I wasn’t even trying! But you know what else I never did? I never asked God to help me. I never asked God to intervene or show me how to love the person he had placed in my life.

So, sis, whether you’re angry, sad, disappointed, or frustrated, look to Christ. Ask Him to intervene, knowing that you do not have a high priest who is unable—or unwilling—to sympathize with our weaknesses. He hears you. He sees you. And He loves you!

Walking with you,

Kayla

 

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The Sanctity of Motherhood

Dear sister,

What comes to your mind when you read “motherhood”? Your mom? Your best friend’s mom? The mom with the screaming kid at the park or grocery store? Sleepless nights? A good day being one where you actually get out of your PJ’s and into the shower? I actually asked my husband, some friends and my 12 year old niece this very questions. None of their answers were the same. Interesting.

My husband talked about how he was impacted by a professor who said believers find great stability, comfort, love, and protection in the tightly harmonious relationship of the Trinity. Believers know the Father, Son, and Spirit deeply love each other and that we can never come between them. He then tied it to parenting, in that to be a good parent is to have an unbreakable, loving, joyful marriage in the Lord for the child to see, to find protection, love, and comfort in. My husband then remarked how many women separate being a mother from being a wife and that being a good mother in many ways begins by being a good wife who fights a for healthy marriage that glorifies the Lord. I really think this is true, but I also know many Godly mothers that do not have a husband who serves the Lord or a husband at all.

My niece then said motherhood makes her think of discipline, cooking, cleaning, teaching, and being willing to apologize to her children when she fails. I think there is a ring of truth in this as well. I find this true in both my mom’s and in my life. Yet there are good moms who have to work and have outside help for these tasks and chores.

I love what my friend wrote because you feel the incessant thoughts that every mom has:

Motherhood is a broad subject. The first verse that popped into my mind was John 15:13: “Greater love has no one than this, that someone lay down his life for his friends.” I think I’ve told you how I would remember that verse when I was wiping pee off the toilet and doing the same tasks every day. Motherhood is a self-sacrifice to raise the next generation. Or you could talk about the importance of motherhood in raising the next generation. Like laying a firm foundation of love, stability, faith, morality, worldview, work ethic, etc. under your children. Or you could talk about how Christ uses our vocation of motherhood to sanctify us. We can’t accomplish this great task without divine help. Our weaknesses, selfishness, laziness, etc. is exposed under the daily necessity of keeping our kids alive.

AMEN! Many other women have told me about the self-sacrifice of Motherhood. How there is no “me” or “what I want” any longer…only what our children and/or husband needs. Take heart sweet sister, Christ is our example. He gave his life for others…why? To glorify the Father and to be an example for us. He washed feet, he stayed up late, he submits to the Father, He cries with us, and he gave up his life to save us. So moms and future moms, love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, and mind and love your neighbor (children) as yourself. Fear the Lord. Know in your weakness he is strong. Motherhood is a gift and sacrifice that we cannot do on our own. Let me close with the Scripture that my niece memorized when she is struggling: Hebrews 4:14-16 “Since then we have a great high priest who has passed through the heavens, Jesus, the Son of God, let us hold fast our confession. For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.”

~ Colleen