Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Stretching...and growing

Yes, we are still here.
You know, I love those times in your life when everything is falling into place... you wake up in the morning and smile and life is just good.
And yet to be able to appreciate those good times- and to grow into the person God has in mind for you- sometimes you have to go through those dark days too. They are never fun, actually- they are quite painful. But a good stretch sometimes is. We are there right now- being stretched beyond anything I thought I could ever take. But I have to.
I have to.
So during this time we are constantly doing all we can to stay focused on God- and focused on what He needs us to do.
We are hurting.
It is hard.
But I know without a doubt in my mind that God will be able to use us like never before and that is the greatest gift of all.

25 comments:

Dawn said...

Praying for your entire family. God is faithful.
dawn

Barry and Amy said...

Praying for you.

Those hard times are never fun, but you can get SO close to God through them.

Hope things get better soon!

Debbie T said...

Hugs Amy!! Hang in there. I miss you! DebbieT

Valerie said...

Praying for you and all of yours. And amazed that you can recognize the "stretching" for what it is and see the good in it -- how many times do we go through hard times, and it is not until we are safely on the other side when we can look back and see how it fit into the plan. So to be able to recognize it now, even while you are hurting, a true blessing indeed. Hang in there.

Unknown said...

Hoping and praying everything is okay with you guys.
Jen

Angie said...

Thinking of you and praying during these hard times. A favorite verse that seems appropriate during these moments.
"Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged by the size of the task. For the Lord, God, my God, is with you" 1 Chronicles 28:20

You really are inspiring to me.
Angie M. from Indiana

Angie said...

Thinking of you and praying during these hard times. A favorite verse that seems appropriate during these moments.
"Be strong and courageous, and do the work. Do not be afraid or discouraged by the size of the task. For the Lord, God, my God, is with you" 1 Chronicles 28:20

You really are inspiring to me.
Angie M. from Indiana

Anonymous said...

Praying for you daily! You are amazing....I admire you for the awesome job of parenting that you do! I hate it that you are being stretched the way you are right now, but I am thankful for the perseverance that you all show! Such a neat family you are...thankful to be able to call you our friends!

Hang in there...you are loved!
Heather

Unknown said...

Amy - praying for your family!

I'm here standing beside you and your family!

Blessings and love,
Jill

Adeye said...

Oh Amy, I have really had you on my heart over the last few days. I am standing with you---trusting that our faithful Jesus would come through for your family. That He would comfort where you need comforting and would move and mountains that stand in your family. Now that I know you need prayer----consider it DONE!
Hang in there---joy DOES come in the morning!

Phyllis said...

I have been thinking about you all a lot and will be praying for you.
Phyllis

Christina said...

Sending prayers your way. Hugs my friends.

Audrey said...

Praying for you guys. Hang in there. God is holding you tight - and smiling. :)

Amy said...

Been wondering how you were all doing and praying for you all. God doesn't always call us to what is easy. But He always has our best interests close to His heart. It is wonderful that you are staying focused on Him.

Praying for you all as you go through the refining process. Hang in there hang onto the Lord!

Andrea Hill said...

Amy, you and your family are so loved by so many of us. Yes times can be so hard and I think during these times God is seriously growing us and our characters. Also this one I can say from experience of having raised Anastasia, your kids especially will grow through this too and will become amazing, strong adults. Love you so much. You are a blessing. Praying for your family every day!

Kathleen said...

You're not alone! God is stretching my husband and I so much right now and it is soooo painful. Christ is taking away the layers of "us" and building us both back up to become more like him. Stretching hurts! There is nothing like a good stretch to draw you to the feet of Jesus and be reminded that we need his strength to move forward and we cannot rely on our own. As always, I am praying for your family.

Valerie said...

Hang in there and let Jesus carry you.

Rebecca said...

I will pray for you! God bless you and your family!

Unknown said...

Amy, I have been thinking of your family and will be praying for you. I don't know if this verse is what you need or not, but I have been clinging to it during some days when I have felt so weak.

II Cor 12:9-10 My grace is sufficient for you for My power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me...for when I am weak, then I am strong.

Praying for His strength during your difficult days.

Holly said...

My sweet friend,
I can only imagine what you might be enduring right now. I can't pretend to understand, but I can say that our God is good, He is faithful and He is WITH YOU. I know this from our own heartbreaking trial these past several months.
Oh and did I forget to add that in ALL THINGS He is at work for the good of those who love Him?
Yep...that too!
May He strengthen you and increase your faith, may He be the lifter of your heads and the LIGHT that pierces all darkness.
Love,
Holly

Anonymous said...

Prayers on the way.
Ellen

Anonymous said...

Amy, my heart goes out to you as I read your post and can only imagine your struggles. Hang in there and stay close to God, he is faithful even with the hurts.

Dear Lord, bless Amy and her family right now today. Give her the strength she needs to be a mommy to so many little ones hurting and needing human love as well as Godly love. Lord I lift her whole family up to you give them a light shown from above that can take the hurt and pain away, the worries, the stress and the feeling of being stretched too far. Give Amy and her husband enough engery to handle everything you ask of them and still have time left for them. Give them the respite they need to keep their marriage strong and the love deep. Bless them Lord with the job they have chosen because you lead them there. Thank you Lord for this family. In your Heavenly name I pray Lord Jesus, Amen.

((((((((HUGS!))))))) Ann

Sara said...

I am sorry for your pain, but grateful that you know and understand God is using according to His purpose. Praying for strength for you and for each member in your family. Sending BIG hugs:)

kim p said...

Amy, God has brought you to mind lately, and I'm praying for you. I encourage you to keep seeking God through this difficult time. He is faithful through the pain, through the moments when we feel like we just can't go on. He sees the big picture. He knows the future. And He is using you to accomplish His purposes. Not that He would need to... but that He chooses to use us, His children, and to show us more of Himself along the way. May you know God and His provision, His love, His mercy in a deeper way as you walk through this dark valley. The most painful place in life may also be the sweetest as we discover an intimacy with God we've never known before. I love you and will keep praying for you!!
((Hugs)) ~Kim

The gFamily said...

Praying for your entire family and sending big hugs!!