Learning to Fall...No Longer in the Dark

A special thanks to Mary Buske for creating the photo above 
to share the April 3, 2013 book release celebration with you! Have you ever been driving, cleaning the house, doing the dishes, working in the garage, or just enjoying the tunes on the radio when God plays a song "just for you"?

I don't listen to a lot of country but when I heard this song, the journey I started after Heidi disappeared nineteen years ago came to mind. With tears streaming down my cheeks as I drove, I was overwhelmed at how much God loves me. 

Martina McBride's song, "Learning to Fall" reminded me of the darkness and lack of hope I used to live in. I wore a mask so many didn't know I was falling apart on the inside. I saved most of the ugly for those closest to me. Isn't that the way it always works? She sings about "standing on a mountain of rubble that once was a wall". We need to break down the walls as we learn to trust and let people in, more importantly, to trust and let God in.

Pastor started a new series this past Sunday. We will spend the next few weeks learning from the book of James, in the New Testament. Our weekly Bible studies are based of Pastor's Scripture selections and his message from the Sunday prior. Last night as we responded to the discussion questions for this week -- there is a common theme and truth. Regardless of our trials, tribulations, and stress in life - GOD NEVER LEAVES US! God is always there, we just don't recognize it at the time.

Where's Heidi? One Sister's Journey is a testament to this lesson. I walked away, turned my back, and hated God for taking my only sister from us. To look back, in spite of my temper-tantrums and false-misdirected anger -- God was always there. James writes and shares to rejoice in our suffering. 

This is a difficult and bizarre concept yet there isn't a day I don't miss my sister or live with loss yet thankfully, I can rejoice in my suffering because I have hope. A hope, God gifted me to share with you.

"Consider it pure joy, 
my brothers and sisters, 
whenever you face trials of many kinds, 
because you know that the testing 
of your faith produces perseverance." 
James 1:2

Do you rejoice in your suffering? Do you believe it's possible?