Cast all your anxiety on him because he cares for you.
I Peter 5:7 (NIV)
“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD,
“plans to prosper you and not to harm you,
plans to give you hope and a future.
Then you will call on me and come and pray to me,
and I will listen to you. You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.
Jeremiah 29:11-13 (NIV)
In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths.
Proverbs 3:6 (KJV)
Two days this week I didn’t start my post with a scripture…I guess I am making up for missed days!
For me, one of the hardest things to understand in life is why things happen. Yesterday started out as a normal day around here. I did a couple of things around the house and got ready to go to take a walk. When I was walking out the door my neighbor, who is from another country, said something to me. I said, “Excuse me?” He obviously want to tell me something and we never do more than wave and say hello. (That has been one of the hardest adjustments about moving from the Midwest. People aren’t as friendly in the East, but that is another post!) When we got close enough for him to talk he said something about his son. I didn’t quite understand what he said and I said, “I’m sorry. What did you say?” He replied, “My son died yesterday.” His son was 14 or 15. I was dumbfounded and speechless. Later in the day, when Andy offered his condolences, this man said you just have to trust that God is in control. God knows the plans for this family. I don’t understand, but HE does.
A friend and her family are facing a tough work related decision. God knows the plans for this family. I don’t understand, but HE does.
Another friends grown children are no longer involved in church and she is concerned. She is more than concerned. One of them claims to no longer believe in God. God knows the plans for this family. I don’t understand, but HE does.
The state of the economy in the United States has many people out of work, looking for work, or about to be out of work. God knows the plans for these people. I don’t understand, but HE does.
Fortunately, He DOES know the plan. If these people are children of God, then they have no worry. He has plans to prosper and not to harm. They can cast their care on Him and he will carry the burden.
Lord, I pray the you will give my neighbors comfort during this time of loss. Show me what you want me to do for them. Give the family facing a tough decision wisdom and guidance, please give peace to the family whose children claim to no longer believe in you and please touch the hearts of those children. Lord, please be with those that are unemployed, especially my nieces that are looking for work. Give comfort to those whose children are moving away, whose children and grandchildren are involved in activities that are against your will Lord. Thank you for the work you have done in my life and that of my family. Especially for the way you have blessed us and continue to work in our lives. And, Lord, please be with those in this country that are enduring the extreme heat, if it is your will, please send a break in the heat and rain.
Sometimes looking at picture will make us feel cooler…
Now for a good laugh, before I sign off for the week…a recent conversation a friend had with her young child:
Child: I don’t want to go to church.
Mom: We’re going.
Child: Well, I’m just going to pee my pants when I get there.
Mom: [Blank stare]
I think the lesson here might be that as Moms we THINK we are in charge, but we really aren’t!! I am really glad that HE knows the plan, aren’t you!?! Max Lucado has a great devotional on Problems Have a Purpose.
A phrase from a very old hymn come to mind as I read your post, "we'll understand it all by and by". So comforting though to know HE knows. Oh, and school went well yesterday and he survived football practice too. It was 100 here yesterday. He is all excited about the midnight scrimmage game tonight. Have a wonderful weekend.
I'm learning more and more that these trials are not evidence of his abscence, but evidence of his grace. How else can I explain the strength I have. Isee his grace when I'm in trial. How else can I explain anything? Love ya! Have a great weekend!
You are so right, Mary — there is so much we cannot understand about Him and His ways. It baffles my mind sometimes, I will admit. But it comes down to trust, doesn't it? If we believe in Him, then we must trust Him, as hard as that is sometimes.
I am so sorry for your neighbor's loss. That is unfathomable pain.
As for your comment about the East vs. the Midwest…I hate to admit it, but I agree. People are friendly in the Midwest (I moved from MA to NE, so I've had the opposite experience). I don't think Easterners are unfriendly per se — we just keep our cards a bit closer to our vest. It takes a little longer for us to warm up.
Anyway, in other news…I'm going to Relevant too — I am looking forward to meeting you in person!
In what seemed like the blink of an eye, those young 20 somethings were married for 41 years.
The second photo was taken last year on our 40th anniversary. I didn`t post it because I didn`t like the way my legs looked. Something happened in the last year and I`m reminded that those legs have carried me for 62 years (when the photo was taken). Carried me through 3 pregnancies that gifted me with one living child, @coach_andy_bonner
The last photo was taken on Tuesday as we sat on the beach and a lady walked by and said, "would you like me to take your picture?" We said yes. Time with John is still one of my favorite things. He retired on Friday, before we left on Monday for this trip. There are so many unknowns but so much to be grateful for and so much to look forward to in the next stage.
I`m grateful for my clients that give me something to do every day Monday-Friday. @christiepurifoy @kriscamealy @bekah @whatlolalikes @abby_roadhome & to the wonderful team @parkermanagement-you guys all make my life so fun!
And I`m grateful for time at a place like this. Sand and water...not sure there is anything better!
Happy Anniversary Week to my love that is not on ANY social media channel!
She died 4 days after she was born. We buried her 4 days after she died.
Born 6-9-1992
Died 6-12-1992
Buried 6-16-1992
That would be 31 years ago today.
Last year, on the 30th anniversary of her birth we re-buried her on the grounds of St. Emma Monastery Greensburg, PA where her paternal grandparents are buried.
This year, today has been harder than Friday, June 9 the day she was born. Or Monday, June 12 the day she died.
I`ve cried more today than either of the other days.
I took a walk.
Got a pedicure.
Cried.
And chose a simple dinner of appetizers.
And I give myself permission to do nothing else.
I am thankful for the time we had her. For the experience and the things I learned about myself through the experience.
John and I are very conscious of what we say yes to and what we say no to. All because of Amy`s short life.
I`ve tried to use my experience to help others experiencing infant loss-or any loss. Some things are the same no matter the age of the deceased. Even if it is a loss thru miscarriage. I`ve experienced that too.
A loss is a loss.
Thank you to my sister and niece @sherrigd @tarahelise for letting us spend last weekend on your porch crying, laughing, and drinking wine and margaritas. I love you guys more than you know and I really needed that.
In what seems like the blink of an eye, it is 31 years later. Not a day goes by that I do not think of her.
My heart still hurts.
I cry at random times.
And I miss her. Still. 31 years later.
I grieve all the things that didn`t happen.
The relationships.
The life events.
Strangely though there are fewer tears today. Sometimes I think my tears are all gone. The well is dry.
Lack of tears does not mean lack of grief. There is no right or wrong way to grieve. So I accept my emotions today-whatever they may be.
If you know someone that has experienced a loss, don`t be afraid to tell them you remember. Let them know you care. Take a meal, send a text, write and snail mail a card. We want to know our loss is not forgotten.
I cried in church. Not because I was thinking about the events leading up to the crucifixion but because there was a little girl of about 5 or so sitting in front of me. She had the most gorgeous dark hair. With streaks of gold running through it. Natural streaks. Not the artificial colored streaks I pay more than I`m willing to share to get every few months.
As I observed her I thought about my own daughter. The one that died at 4 days old.
I thought of how she might be standing next to me this morning or next Sunday on Easter. Maybe she would have travelled to Charlotte to spend some time with her dad and me.
Grief is something that robs us of so much. It robs me of not just my daughter but it robs me of being the mom of a daughter.
I look at some of my closest friends, all mothers of daughters and I envy, yes ENVY!, the relationships they all have with their daughters. They may not agree with them on all things or see eye-to-eye with them but the daughters lead the charge to throw surprise 60th birthday parties for their parents or make sure that mom gets a Mother`s Day card, a birthday card, etc.
I think daughters are different than sons. Daughters are more sensitive than sons based on my observations as an outsider. I do not experience that sensitivity. And I grieve the fact that I am not the mother of a daughter.
The version of me before Amy`s death is totally different than the me that is here now.
If you want to read more about about my daughter, Amy, you can go to https://marybonner.net/?s=Amy and read more about my journey through infant loss and moving forward.
Adam McHugh`s book Blood From a Stone is a beautiful piece of writing about returning from the dead. I encourage you to check it out. You can find the book on Amazon or wherever books are sold. Find and follow him @adammchughwine You won`t be sorry.
"Grief is so agonizing not only because you have lost something, but you have lost someone, and that someone is the version of you that was alive before your loss." Blood From a Stone Adam McHugh Page 102
Every June I think I`m going to handle this better. Whatever better looks like - I don`t know. 30 years and I still cry at random times. And every June I fall apart.
She would have been 30 next week. Instead of whisking her off for a 30th birthday trip to Key West like we did for her brother @coach_andy_bonner or Niagara Falls like we did for his wife we will make another kind of trip.
There will be a mass next Saturday and we will stand at a grave site as we move her body from the small town where she was buried to a final resting place by her paternal grandparents on the beautiful grounds of St Emma Monastery in Greensburg, PA.
I look forward to the weekend and I dread it all at the same time.
Today I broke down and sobbed. Just like yesterday. And probably will tomorrow. But I remember that He catches my tears in a bottle Psalm 56:8
If I learned anything from this life experience, it is this: I can do hard things. But not of my own strength. Philippians 4:13
A phrase from a very old hymn come to mind as I read your post, "we'll understand it all by and by". So comforting though to know HE knows. Oh, and school went well yesterday and he survived football practice too. It was 100 here yesterday. He is all excited about the midnight scrimmage game tonight. Have a wonderful weekend.
I'm learning more and more that these trials are not evidence of his abscence, but evidence of his grace. How else can I explain the strength I have. Isee his grace when I'm in trial. How else can I explain anything? Love ya! Have a great weekend!
This post is so comforting, Mary. It's so easy to forget that God knows everything and works all things out for the good for those who trust in Him.
I will pray for your neighbor. I cannot imagine his grief and pain. It's every parent's worst fear. May our Lord console him in his grief.
Funny story about your friend's child!
Mary, You've won my giveaway! Please go to my blog to get the details on how to claim! Congratulations!
I will pray for your neighbor. I found comfort here today and for that I am grateful.
You are so right, Mary — there is so much we cannot understand about Him and His ways. It baffles my mind sometimes, I will admit. But it comes down to trust, doesn't it? If we believe in Him, then we must trust Him, as hard as that is sometimes.
I am so sorry for your neighbor's loss. That is unfathomable pain.
As for your comment about the East vs. the Midwest…I hate to admit it, but I agree. People are friendly in the Midwest (I moved from MA to NE, so I've had the opposite experience). I don't think Easterners are unfriendly per se — we just keep our cards a bit closer to our vest. It takes a little longer for us to warm up.
Anyway, in other news…I'm going to Relevant too — I am looking forward to meeting you in person!