Joy

Rejoice in the Lord always; again I will say, Rejoice. Philippians 4:4

Then our mouth was filled with laughter, and our tongue with shouts of joy; then they said among the nations, “The lord has done great things for them.” Psalm 126:2

Sounds simple, huh? When you are struggling with the problems life throws at you it’s hard to keep focused and keep rejoicing the Lord for all the great things he has done in our life. But with constant prayer and keeping focused on what’s most important in life you will soon be able to realize that and want to continue rejoicing in the hard times.

Now it’s only been a few weeks since Grandma died and during that time we were all grieving, which is the thing to do when loved one pass, but we seemed to lose focus on the great things that the Lord has done for us in this situation. We came to a better understanding of what cancer is, how the doctors handle it, what Hospice is, and realized what a great life and great friends she had and the impact she made on all of us. And to top it off she is in a way better place than any of us are right now! So how could we not thank God for all of those great things? Truly the good out weighted the bad in many ways!

In John 16:17-33 the Bible talks about how grief will turn to joy. Jesus said “I tell you the truth, you will weep and mourn while the world rejoices. You will grieve but your grief will turn to joy…Now is your time of grief, but I will see you again and you will rejoice, and no one will take away your joy.” What a great comfort! God understands that it’s okay to grief but He knows there will be a day that you will have so much joy that no one can take it away!

“Until now you have not asked for anything in my name. Ask and you will receive, and your joy will be complete.” John 16:24 To get that great joy He offers you just have to continually pray and ask for it. God wants to see you happy and joyful, not in pain, but you must not let yourself slip away from him and the great plans He has for you! Rejoice him in not only the good and easy times but life gets rough, for that’s when you really need His help and someone sturdy to lean on!

Change

According to Dictionary.com, the word “Change” is defined as: different; altered or modified; transformed or converted. For people who like change it’s a great thing, but for those who like to be in charge of change but change starts before they are ready it is not so great.

I just got back to college this week from the Christmas break and change started from the moment I loaded my car and hit the road. It was a change that had to be made and there was no waiting for a later time. I left my hometown, came back to college with all my friends, started working, started new classes, and made a new schedule. But in the back of my mind I kept thinking about everything that had gone on during the break and all of the people and problems that were still going on that I was leaving at home. I left home with family telling me “School comes first. Keep your mind on your work and make us proud.” But it was so hard to not worry about the things I couldn’t fix at home.

If you will humble yourselves under the mighty hand of God, in His good time He will lift you up. Let Him have all your worries and cares, for He is always thinking about you and watching everything that concerns you. 1 Peter 5: 6-7

Why worry when God has everything under control? He knows what is ahead for you and the “change” that has to be made for you to get to those certain points in life. If everything was to stay the same we would never accomplish the things God would need us to do. Everything would be frozen in time and really, what would be the point of living?

We know that in everything God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to His purpose. Romans 8:28

So let God take control of the “change” in your life and lean on him when you get worried. God has called you here for a purpose and that purpose will be accomplished through Him if you allow him to be in control and “change” your life!

Remembering

Genesis 31:49 – May the Lord keep watch between you and me when are away from each other.

This was one of my Grandmas favorite verses. She was such a caring and loving person and she would want exactly what this verse says done until we are to meet again. My Grandma passed away on January 5, 2010. Being at the funeral and visiting with all her friends and family, some of whom I have never met before, I learned many things that I never knew that my Grandma had done. She touched many people during her life! These were the things that I will always remember of her. It is not going to be the times in which she laid in the hospital bed suffering and in pain, but the times that she used her gift to touch others and glorify God.

Romans 15:5-6 – May the God who gives endurance and encouragement give you a spirit of unity among yourselves as you follow Christ Jesus, so that with one heart and mouth you may glorify the God and Father of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

My Papa Graham told me once that “We are Graham’s; we are strong and never give up!” Those words were very true with my Grandma, she was a fighter and strong in her faith, a true example of who we should all be. God has placed everyone here for a reason, so find that special gift and completely wear it out! Have people remember you for those things you did in life and not on the things you could have or should have done. The talents God has given you will make a huge impact on those around you!

Waiting

Waiting, waiting, still waiting, and waiting some more. Waiting for the phone to ring, waiting for a text, waiting for an email, waiting for a simple sign. Anyway you put it waiting can be hard and stressful on anyone.

The certain thing I was waiting for were updates on my Grandma, who as I have said, had been battling cancer for some time now. I had left home to share New Years with a good friend of mine in Dallas at the time that my Grandma was sent to the hospital, for one of her last times. As I tried to enjoy myself and bring in the New Years with friends, it was hard not to think back to what was really going on in my life. So as the news kept coming to me worse and worse each time I had to rely on God with even more faith than I have ever had to before. I thought back to verses that would give me comfort and rest knowing that God was in control of everything going on in my life and my Grandma’s.

Isaiah 41:10 – Fear not, for I am with you; Be not dismayed, for I am your God. I will strengthen you, Yes, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.

Proverbs 3:5-6 – Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge him and he will make your paths straight.

Life can be rough, but it would be a whole lot rougher if God was not in the middle of your life to help you through those rough things going on, or if He was not with you during the times you had to just sit and wait. Be patient and learn to lean on God in all of those hard and stressful times. He will get you through everything!

Grandma's Letter

Grandma,

I’m at a total loss for words right now. So what better words to give you than the words of God! I have gone through and made a list of Bible verses that talk about Strength, Faith, No Fear, Love, and the Future. I hope that these can give you comfort and knowing that everything is going to be alright!

My Pastor, a few weeks ago, talked about what Heaven is going to be like. Just hearing all of the great things that are going to happen and what it’s going to be like, brings great Joy and Comfort to my heart! He told us of all the people that will be there, and how you will be able to go and catch up right where you left off with all of your loved ones. He talked about how busy you will be serving Him in many different ways while you are there too. But the most important thing is that there will be no more pain or sickness ever again! Below are the lyrics to a song that we sang after the sermon that really just sums everything up.

In this life I will stand through my joy and my pain
Knowing there's a greater day there's a hope that never fails
Where Your Name is lifted high and forever praises rise
For the glory of Your Name I'm believing for the day

On that day when I see all that You have for me
When I see You face to face there surrounded by Your grace
All my fears swept away in the light of Your embrace
Where Your love is all I need and forever I am free

No weeping no hurt or pain No suffering You hold me now
No darkness no sick or lame No hiding You hold me now

Where the streets are made of gold in your presence healed and whole
Let the songs of heaven Rise to You alone

There should be no doubt in your mind of where you will be all because of the great things you have done here on Earth. You have made a huge impact on my life. You are such a loving and caring person, and I hope I can be the same way! Life for you is not ending, it’s only beginning! Just like in the book, 90 minutes in Heaven, the man was just so excited to be there he didn’t want to leave! And like my Pastor said, once we all get there we will meet and start right where we left off! Don’t give up hope though, anything can happen. God has healed millions of people and with Him Anything is possible!!

I Love You So Much!

Bailey

Introduction

As another new year rolls in and we start off 2010, I can’t think of a better way to keep track of the blessings God has laid on my life than to record them in a way that can be used for anyone and everyone later on in any circumstances.

I’m really not a writer or a reader, in fact in school English was my worst subject and the one I dreaded always going to! But there was one letter that I wrote to my Grandma right before she passed away that got me to thinking. Grandma loved to read and give encouragement to others so I wrote this letter thinking that I would wait until it was just her and I in the room alone, I would sneak it to her, and only she and I would ever know what it said. But I don’t think God wanted me to keep it from anyone else, and he quickly showed that to me.

When I gave Grandma the letter she was in the hospital in Ft. Worth she had been battling cancer and was just a day away from having Hospice come in. My parents had left me alone in the room with her and she was struggling for each breath. So I reached down in my pocket and pulled out this letter that I had been working on the night before. I went over to her bed and handed it to her. As she went to open it I had this huge knot in my throat and barely got the words out to say, “I wrote this for you, and I want you to read this later” She closed it and handed it back to me and said “I am about to be transferred back to Graham and when I get to my room I want you to give it back to me.” So I did as I was told.

The next morning I got up, put the letter back in my pocket, and headed up to the hospital. She was getting worse, and now could barely talk or keep her eyes open. So I came into a room full of people of whom I didn’t know, my Dad had told my Grandma’s Sunday School teacher that I had written her a letter but I was unable to read it to her without crying. She gladly took the letter went over to her bed and began to read the letter that was meant to be just between Grandma and I.

Later that day a lady from Hospice came in to check on Grandma and saw the letter and began to read it. She asked permission from my Mom to take the letter and make copies to use in counseling for future Hospice patients, she gladly agreed. So as the letter began to grow around the hospital, friends and family, who had also read it, began to tell my parents that really, this letter should be read at the funeral.

As the funeral came to an end, the pastor said there was a letter in Francis hospital room that I would like to share. He read the letter and closed with a prayer, then invited everyone to one at a time come up and acknowledge the family. So as we stood and received the hugs from the two hundred friends and family of my Grandmas’, I kept getting more and more complements on the letter. I was told that I have talent with words and how it meant so much and touched each of them.

This got me to thinking, and I could feel God telling me to use this talent to help others. I have never been a good public speaker or a writer, but maybe because of this one letter that was “Just between Grandma and I” something now will come out of it and be able to help others, but most importantly glorify My God!