tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post1297130465635226944..comments2024-02-25T21:04:09.828-08:00Comments on Sunshine and Snowflakes: When the Answer is "No"Jenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13491687007971233290noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-5606286576177806002009-12-14T01:00:20.000-08:002009-12-14T01:00:20.000-08:00Working through this tonight: the average person, ...Working through this tonight: the average person, myself included, lives life as though the common grace of God comes standard and when it is removed that somehow God is testing us or punishing us. It would behoove us to remember that the absence of common grace should be what normal life is. Thus, when God finds it in our best interest to pull back the curtain of said common grace and reveal the ugliness of a world without Him, we should run to Abba Father not curse Him in anger as if it is our right of place to ask for - much less demand His favor.<br><br>-Todd (Jen's DH)DHnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-31729593464334851392009-12-14T07:23:04.000-08:002009-12-14T07:23:04.000-08:00What a lovely post and great thoughts, Jen - you a...What a lovely post and great thoughts, Jen - you always have so much good insight, even in the midst of grief. I'm thinking of you guys constantly! Many hugs,<br>D.Diana J.http://www.birthingathome.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-41859911125478502942009-12-14T07:34:17.000-08:002009-12-14T07:34:17.000-08:00Jen, you amaze me with the both your deep feeling,...Jen, you amaze me with the both your deep feeling, and your heartfelt willingness to take those feelings before God, and ask him what you should make of them. What a gift that you heard your favorite passage of scripture expounded on just the day and in just the way that you needed to hear it; I know people talk a lot about the church being the hands of Christ, but this blog post is a real example of how that works. It sounds like He was there for you in the person of your pastor, and those other friends who sat by you and were there for you. And the other amazing thing? In the middle of your grief, you were willing to accept his love. And that, Jen, is the Holy Spirit in YOU.<br><br>Anyway, knowing you, I know part of why you share this is to show the greatness of God. I just want to say that it comes through, and I am grateful that you were willing to share it, because I can really see the grace of Christ in you.<br><br>I was praying for you all during mass last night, and will continue to keep you in my prayers.Jessica Snellhttp://churchyear.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-23496207425265981032009-12-14T08:00:02.000-08:002009-12-14T08:00:02.000-08:00MJ - what a wonderful post.I was praying for you a...MJ - what a wonderful post.<br><br>I was praying for you all day yesterday, and like you I was angry at the fact that God said "no" again. You have the right perspective, the best perspective.Ericanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-71426657048458927332009-12-14T10:45:32.000-08:002009-12-14T10:45:32.000-08:00Dear Jen,Oh, how my heart broke when I read your f...Dear Jen,<br><br>Oh, how my heart broke when I read your facebook update yesterday! Chris and I are praying for you and Todd, that God gives you His peace and surrounds you with His love.... You write beautifully, thank-you so much for sharing. Love, Chris and AnneAnnenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-67072630744017277112009-12-14T11:48:36.000-08:002009-12-14T11:48:36.000-08:00jen,you sound like such an amazingly strong person...jen,<br>you sound like such an amazingly strong person. i'm so glad that you are able to see the blessings that you have. i know you will make such a wonderful mother. i continue to pray for you and that God will give you children on this earth soon! also that your heart will continue to heal and that the waiting will go quickly!!angannettenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-72628082613452984272009-12-14T18:33:54.000-08:002009-12-14T18:33:54.000-08:00Jen, In the midst of all you are going through, su...Jen, In the midst of all you are going through, such thoughts of clarity are amazing. I will be forever in your debt for these little gems, and will probably quote them to myself often when I am trying to make sense of some tragedy: "Because He said so. Because the Great I AM said so. When He is the answer, the questions suddenly become irrelevant." <br><br>"No other answer matters. Because He said so. It’s not only freeing, it’s convicting."<br><br>Thanks for that. You're such an inspiration.<br><br>May your sadness become less as each day passes.Hollynoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-71140835283560331782009-12-14T22:04:50.000-08:002009-12-14T22:04:50.000-08:00Jen, you're such a wonderful example of what i...Jen, you're such a wonderful example of what it means to be Christian. I wish God hadn't chosen such a painful path for you, but you were wrong when you thought He had given you something you couldn't handle. No one should have to lose four babies, but the way you have handled yourself is an amazing testament to your beliefs. You and Todd are in my thoughts and prayers. I'm so glad you have a wonderful Church community to support you through all of this.Fern @ Life on the Balconyhttp://lifeonthebalcony.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-13965047648843088602009-12-18T05:57:47.000-08:002009-12-18T05:57:47.000-08:00(((((Jen))))) I could identify with so much of wh...(((((Jen))))) I could identify with so much of what you wrote, you expressed so many emotions which I struggled with after our two precious embryos failed to implant in our March cycle this year. We have walked this path very closely together, with both of us conceiving - and miscarrying - our precious first babies late last year. Ater our m/c in December 2008 and detoxing my body from all the hormones, concentrating on getting my body back to full health and shape, we were delighted that the two embryos we had thawed in March were graded even better than our first babies and we were so sure and prayed SO much that these would be our take home babies, yet neither implanted. Like you and Todd, we were absolutely devastated and the "why's" never got us anywhere apart from piling on more heartache and confusion into our already grief-stricken hearts. I guess there will never be an answer to our "why's", as incredibly hard as that is to swallow, Choosing to trust IS hard, because in the very act of choosing (the verb in itself requires effort!) we have to make that conscious decision, that even in midst of the most heart-wrenching grief, we still have a choice in how we respond to our loving Heavenly Father.<br><br>Our human nature recoils against the idea of choosing to trust in an invisible God, when we are sinking in sorrow. Yet, through God's Holy spirit working in us, we realize that much of what happens to us here in earth is far beyond our comprehension, and much of our angst comes from trying to figure out the mind of God and His ways, with our finite minds! It just isn't possible. As you rightly said, His ways and thoughts are not ours, and that is difficult to grasp within the confines and limitations of our human minds and bodies.<br><br>I love you my dear friend and my heart aches for you both. Yet, your attitude is so inspirational in the midst of the fire. I'm grateful that you have a loving church family who are there for you in your sorrow and I thank God for each one of them who have brought much comfort to your hearts through this time of mourning your precious children gone too soon. I'm saddened that nobody mentioned your loss at your party. I've been there too (even after our m/c) and although everyone knew, not a word was said. How that silence cuts so very deep. I pray that you will be able to forgive them. I agree, that even a "I'm sorry" or a hug can speak volumes in a person's grief. To have NO acknowledgement only serves to compound that grief and sense of isolation and abandonment.<br><br>Love you dearly Jen. You and Todd are never far from my thoughts or prayers.<br><br>Much, much love to you hon.<br><br>Grace♥Gracenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7439109790681220541.post-46980376534255529862009-12-20T13:47:25.000-08:002009-12-20T13:47:25.000-08:00I love our church family. They are such a tremend...I love our church family. They are such a tremendous blessing! <br><br>We're still praying for you both, Jen! :)Becky Lynnhttp://starry-wonders.blogspot.comnoreply@blogger.com