"Though You Slay Me" (featuring John Piper)

I first heard this song a couple years ago -- and what a challenge...I want to be able to sing this song sincerely -- "...Though You slay me, yet I will praise You...though You take from me,  I will bless Your name...though You ruin me, still I will worship, sing a song to the One who's all I need..."




I read this morning II Corinthians 4, and my heart was so heavy for so many in my life right now who are going through such deep sorrow and dealing with life and death...challenges in marriage, challenges with children...health issues, loneliness, anxiety, depression, despair, abandonment, rejection...we all are, though, aren't we? These verses, this song...such a challenge to me, this life -- this temporary life...is working for us an eternal weight of glory...

 

We are pressed on every side by troubles, but we are not crushed. We are perplexed, but not driven to despair.  We are hunted down, but never abandoned by God. We get knocked down, but we are not destroyed. Through suffering, our bodies continue to share in the death of Jesus so that the life of Jesus may also be seen in our bodies. (verses 8-10)

Isn't that interesting? So that Jesus can be seen in us...that's why we suffer?? I don't understand it, really....but I try to think of this, try to trust Him, that as His children, He has a purpose for any, and every thing that happens to us...even if we don't see it, even if we NEVER see it here on earth...that He is working for us and He is receiving glory...

on being thankful

I can actually find about a million things, I think, to be thankful for...perhaps I should start with that...not even trying too hard, I bet I can just easily type off a bunch right now:

1. My hubby, picturing him out there somewhere on this Island, driving those people he loves, likely with a smile on his face, music blasting, enjoying this beautiful, sunshiney day -- anticipating him coming home and telling me what adventures he got up to today with some of his disabled clients -- apple picking, taking a 'leaf tour' - or just regular doctors appointments and dialysis, stretcher runs, and school kids. I'm so happy he has a job where he doesn't have to sit in an office - I know that would eat at his soul a little bit each day. I know he is making a difference in people's lives, every day. He's a hard guy not to love.
2. This amazing weather lately. There is a breeze today, which is nicely drying those towels out on my clothesline...and the Fall sunshine -- oh my soul, its so lovely. I love Fall -- I mourn the loss of summer a bit every year, because we love the beach...but I do love Fall -- wearing jeans and sweatshirts.
3. I love that Jonah is up at his Papa and Mammie's this afternoon, enjoying his cousins. No school today - he has a five-day weekend, and he couldn't be happier!! I love seeing all those cousins playing together.  I love my boys having so much family around all the time - they adore their "flamilies" as Levi would say.
4. Spaghetti sauce all ready and simmering in the slow cooker. I love that I won't be rushing to get everything on the table when we all arrive home, hungry, after picking Jason up from work.
5. My pup is clean!!! we have a dog groomer just the next driveway over, and though she doesn't always do exactly what I ask her to do...she is cheap, and convenient...and saving me the hassle and gross-ness of cleaning Sophie up myself. I can let her on my couch without puking now. ha. she wasn't actually that bad. But it is nice knowing she's clean.
6. The lawn-mower sound outside my window. even if its not my lawn that's being cut! ha! something I like about hearing that sound, I don't know why.
7. The six little squares I just ate of the Cadbury Fruit & Nut bar. yum.
8. This book my Mom got me at our library book sale, The Explicit Gospel, by Matt Chandler. I haven't read much yet, but I have loved what I've read so far, and am excited to get into it a little deeper.
9. Sitting around the table lastnight with my little sister and my sister-in-law, talking about babies...I love having those two girls in my life...anticipating my little sister's baby, who is arriving sometime in the next two months...I can't wait!!! I really can't.
10. I deleted a few programs of this computer about an hour ago...and it is not humming at 500 decibels...that makes me happy. am I a techy, somehow???
11. See -- already -- I came on to write on this blog, intending on giving into my sometimes melancholy...but chose to think about good things...and it actually has changed my mood. awesome.
12. I hear that darling little boy upstairs, having a little cough...and it reminds me, seriously...how blessed I am to have him. In our conversations lastnight about babies and siblings and parenting, etc....I was saying again how grateful I am that I had ONE child...let alone two...I am so, so, so, so happy my boys have each other. I would have imagined I'd have four or five children - my whole life, I imagined that...but really...two?! what a blessing. I'm still hoping for and begging God for that third one...we shall see what He has in mind, though, I guess. just waiting on Him.

And that's all for now. I have some left-over pumpkin in the fridge just aching to be used for something delicious, and I'm going to run out of time here if I don't get off this quiet little laptop.


I love Thanksgiving weekend. and I love that we get to celebrate TWO Thanksgivings in our family. October and November. I can't wait to eat that delicious meal on Monday with my family.