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God is good. Greg and I have been priviledged to spend the last 16 years growing our marriage and our family. Mikayla is our oldest child, Jordan is next, and Isabella is our third. We hope you enjoy reading about our journey of Faith, Family & Fun!

Thursday, April 7, 2011

Tears that matter

We all shed tears. Today I received news that I have been placed on the waitlist for PLU's nursing program. It was hard to hear. But, I immediately struggled with how to react.

I had just been told that Japan had experienced another big earthquake this morning and they were warning about another tsunami. I had been praying over some friends that would spend this morning in their MOPS time saying goodbye and remembering their Mentor Mom who had come to be like family to them and whose loss has left a gaping hole. I received an email last night about a friend of mine in ministry whose house caught on fire yesterday and they lost everything. So, I felt like I couldn't shed a tear over just some news about being waitlisted.

In the grand scheme of things it just doesn't seem important. I cracked up about my "waiting" post a few days ago because now, I could potentially not know anything for sure till next February.

Well, instead of making this post all about me, I will just say He gives and He takes away. But He's still at work all around us. Not everything is tragic. I also received an email today regarding one of my jr highers who has had some swelling on her brain. She spent quite a bit of time at Mary Bridge and we've been praying intensely for her. Today, we have found out that they have a diagnosis, it is not the terminal things that were feared, and she should make a full recovery in time. PRAISE GOD from whom all blessings flow.

Now don't think I am some crazy rock star of a Christian. It is so incredibly hard to keep myself from sinking into my couch today, closing the blinds, and eating all the junk food I can get my hands on. It literally has become a minute by minute kind of day. But, these are the moments when we have to decide if we are going to live out our faith or just talk a good game. I choose to struggle through and live it out!

If anyone reading this is just having one of those days or there is something that you might be shedding a tear over, don't think like me. God cares about every single tear that you are shedding. He will be there to catch them and I pray His comfort and grace meets you exactly where you are.

3 comments:

the fortenberrys said...

I am going to pat you on the back with encouragement and say I am proud of you. It's hard to wait and wait and wait and wait and still not get the perfect answer. You know God's timing is perfect and I know you are sitting in that right now. I can't wait to see how this all plays out and how His glory will be revealed to you for this journey you are on! Love you!

The Finnestad Family said...

Well written and well lived Stephanie! I find your title most intriguing as it could be read Tears (as in the water that falls from your eyes) or Tears (rips or strains)...especially with all the experience you've had with breaking down and rebuilding muscles (both via studies and your intense work outs) and both which have proven that as those muscles are broken down, when rebuilt they are stronger than they were before.

Praying you wake up today feeling stronger than yesterday and that soon your tears of sadness will be replaced with tears of joy.

Katharine said...

Thanks for sharing, Stephanie. It's a privilege to hear a little of your heart-thoughts. I like what you said in your last post, about living in the moment. That's great when the moment is "good", but more of a challenge when things aren't going the way we'd choose. It's fun to hear about all the fun you have with your kids! Keep on keepin' on.

Oh -- any my word verification is "frabb" as in frabbulous!