Thursday, December 18, 2008

Field trip

Well, yesterday Luke and I decided it was time for me to get a little fresh air. Hannan had come by to take Abigail and Lily to story time and then to her house to play, so we ran some errands. Now granted I stayed in the car with Sarah for the first two stops, but then when we went to Walmart I got to ride in a scooter! Watch out worldJ. That was the most time I have spent sitting straight up though so today my ribs and stomach muscles are letting me have it. But it was still nice to get out and feel normal.

On a different note, one of the blog followers asked me this question:

“I had t been reading some columns by Ellie Lofara and she talks about preparing for trials before they happen. I would like for you to share about that spiritual part of your experience. I hope that makes sence! I think Becky shared enough about you that told me you were prepared, firm in the Word, sure of who you are in Christ, etc., could you share with us how the Lord prepared you for this season?!”

This is one of the things I really want to discuss in great detail when I m through reading the blog (I’m on November13th) but as a preview, For the past three years or so, two things have laid heavy on my heart One is to see the body of Christ be just that, united under one head-Christ, disregarding the differences we have that bear no meaning to our salvation. The second is maybe a little harder to explain, but here’s a shot.

I believe there is a great deal of confusion in today’s society as to why we are here, and what exactly our purpose is…Our identity. I think many choose a “purpose” in life and that becomes what defines them, to be a mother, a doctor, a star, whatever. But my question is what do they do if that purpose is taken from them? Why are they still here? I believe my identity and that of everyone is to be a child of God, to bring Him glory in all the tasks He entrusts me with, but not to become so obsessed with the task I forget it’s really all about Him.

Through this experience we have most definitely seen a unity of the body, praise God! And all of my “tasks” were abruptly stopped when I was in the hospital, and yet my children survived without me, my husband was a rock without me there cheering him on, my family bonded together and loved me, but not because I did anything…God did. I was unable to be aa part of Community Bible Study and yet it continued, our church survived not having me around. I am not saying I m useless or expendable, but I am saying that when I am awake God makes what I do worth while and effective, not me. And when I was not “here” God used me to minister for His glory without any help from me. It is all about Him.

I hope this helps you understand a little how I feel. I promise to write in more later.

12 comments:

Julie Simmons said...

Wow! Such wonderful insight! I am a friend of Becky's, and have been following your journey and praying for you. I was previously a group leader for CBS in Sulphur Springs, so I have friends that were praying for you there too. It's a small world. :-) So thankful that you're home with your sweet family!

Becky Dietz said...

I totally agree. Lots of women my age feel "lost" once their kids leave home. Why is it so hard for us to remember that it's really all about HIM? So glad you were able to get out and breathe! I'm praying you get stronger each day.

Becky Dietz said...

By the way, Emily, you can actually turn your blog into a book. I'm not sure how it's done---but ask Amy! It may be something you want to do for your children to have some day.
It's so exciting to see you writing on your own blog!

Anonymous said...

Wow, what I would give to have seen you scootn' around Wally World! You amaze me Emily. I am so blessed to know you and now know so many members of your family through reading the blog. CBS has gone on but is better, more united because of this vacation you have been on. Now it's time for you to get off the cruise and come back to us!(a cruise does sound nice about now haha) I would now like to take the opportunity to ask everyone to be praying for my friends' mother in law Gwen.She has and I'm not sure if this is exactly what it is called-Philedelphia disease, a type of leukemia.ALL OF YOU PRAYER WARRIORS OUT THERE PRAY BELIEVING THAT OUR AWESOME GOD IS GOING TO PULL AN "EMILY" ON US WITH GWEN! Thank-you and may GOD bless each of you and yours indeed!Katie Phillips

amy wright said...

This is really great for me to hear. At times, I really do think that my family would fall apart without me. But they wouldn't. I'm not the one holding them together. Thanks for the great insight. Love you!

Anonymous said...

Hi Kid!
u just made my day! As usual, in getting up and turning on my pc, I read your blog which u are now writing! As I told u when all of the "younguns" came to celebrate my 80th birthday (6 yrs ago) I have the utmost respect of u and how u are raising your younguns! Keep up the good work in all that u do and I pray that God will bless u and your family as He has in the past couple of months.

Anonymous said...

Emily, it is great that you got to go to the big store.........walmart.... and just be around other people.....God has used your life to touch mine and to remind me he is still God and in control and he still does miracles.........Praise his name.
You are a wonderful answered prayer and a great Christmas gift to those of us that prayed to the Father that he would restore your health. I will continue to pray for you daily.
Sherwin Sandlin,

Lindsey said...

Thanks for this, Emily. I think I tend to take a little too much credit for how my family/house runs sometimes, especially before we went to Dallas. Then, when I worked full-time, I had to rely on David to do my job for me at home. That was difficult. It gave me such an appreciation for him, and it made us a stronger team. Thank you for confirming to me that my purpose as a child of God will still exist long after my children are gone from home. It's exciting to see you writing on your own blog!

Anonymous said...

Emily,
We just got back from a vacation celebrating Scott's graduation from seminary...Praise God! I hadn't been able to read the blog for about a week, and all I can say is PRAISE GOD!!!!
Scott & I have followed the blog closely and prayed intently. We are so glad you are home. You and your story are truly an inspiration...God has used and is using you in a mighty way...in fact, I need to call my Mom to tell her to pass the word to her church because they continually ask how you are doing from the prayer chain.

God has used this in my life, too, to prove (or I should say remind) that He is in CONTROL, and He still does the miraculous! We love you and hope to come by and see you soon!
Love in Christ,
Stacey

P.S. We're still praying...

The Burk's said...

Hello Emily!
It is so great to read the current blogs from "You" I'm so thankful that God performed a miracle in your life and healed you. Thank you for opening up your heart to everyone about your journey, and modeling the strength your given through Christ. :) You're such a wonderful person and a blessing to others. "Merry Christmas", and I am glad to hear how well you're doing.
Gina Burk

Ginger E said...

Hey there from Albuquerque. Glad to know you're doing well. I know you still have a long way to go but I am so glad that you are home. That is an insightful perspective you just shared and I thank you for that. The Lord has been teaching me a lot about Himself as well since I've been in Albuquerque, just not in a hospital, ;). I look forward to seeing what all else the Lord has in store for you.

Anonymous said...

Emily, thank you so much for sharing what you did and I so look forward to your future posts!

I have a couple of loved ones that have decided they are smart enough to figure out for themselves what to believe this world is all about. This was crushing news to me, for their sake. At the same time-- it has become a blessing to me because it has brought passion to my worship, it's what I was created for and my heart is broken because God isn't getting the worship He deserves because some of His creation refuses Him. Also, I have been working to prepare myself so that when I'm asked about my faith I will have answers. More than just, "I was raised in the church," "My parents told me it was true". I'm so glad I was raised in the church but those answers aren't good enough for someone that wasn't raised in church. Besides, I need to go beyond the milk I was raised on and eat the meat of salvation! Any way, one thing I've been doing to prepare myself is studying "The Case for Christ" dvd by Lee Strobel. I've watched it several times and now I'm taking notes. One thing jumped out at me and goes right along with what you said about our identity in Christ. It has to do with the reason it was so important to the 1st century Christians that the account of Jesus' life be retold. It was because it mattered that it happened! Today we have a new world view of 'self-realization' we're trying to discover who we really are. Jesus didn't come to help me discover who I really am! He came to TELL ME WHO HE KNEW I REALLY WAS! And to DO something about it! That's much better news!

The Lord has really been speaking to me thru His Word--probably because I've been better about being IN the Word! I can't get Colossians 1:9-10 NLT off my mind: "So we have continued praying for you ever since we first heard about you. We ask God to give you a complete understanding of what He wants to do in your lives, and we ask Him to make you wise with spiritual wisdom. Then the way you live will always honor and please the Lord, and you will continually do good, kind things for others. All the while, you will learn to know God better and better!"

I'm also encouraged by Heb. 13:20-21 "And now, may the God of peace, who brought again from the dead our Lord Jesus, equip you with all you need for doing His will. May He produce in you, through the power of Jesus Christ, all that is pleasing to Him!"

The Lord is so good!

I loved the fact that Becky was able to post a verse from the Bible that spoke to every post she made!