I felt ALONE for the first time on the race. I got news that my grandma passed away. I’m halfway across the world without my family…I was on a bus filled with a bunch of people, even one teammate—I was SURROUNDED, but felt completely ALONE. I cried with my mom on the phone as she told me the news. I reached out to people right away…please pray for me and my family. I’ve learned that prayer is POWERFUL. Even with replies back…it’s not the same as physically being with someone who will wrap their arms around you, cry with you, and pray for you IN THAT MOMENT.
This past week we sang “Lean Back” during worship. Tears filled my eyes as I sang the words and really let them sink in. “You will NEVER leave. Your love SUSTAINING me before I even KNEW what love was. You BROUGHT me HERE to REST. And given me SPACE to BREATHE. So I’ll stay STILL until it sinks in. I will LEAN BACK in the loving arms of a beautiful FATHER. BREATHE deep and know that He is GOOD. He is a LOVE like NO OTHER….”
Our theme of our kid’s camp this week was Jeremiah 29:11-14. God has GOOD plans for our lives…plans to PROSPER us and not to harm us, to give us HOPE and a FUTURE. When we CALL on him, COME to him, and PRAY to him, he LISTENS! When we SEEK him with our ENTIRE heart, we WILL FIND HIM. And he will bring us out of captivity.
God has been with me through all of this…he orchestrated a beautiful plan for me.
I missed the other teams going up north to villages so instead I was at the YWAM base doing ATL. All the medical camp people that had been here the previous week (over 40 people) were gone. There were only a few people at the base (which God allowed me to have conversations and quality time with SO many of them—reminding me of how easy of a life I’ve really had). But I was able to have space to grieve, watch the funeral, and breathe without feeling like I had a million responsibilities the entire week. He brought me to a place of rest. (Cows in my backyard, giraffes, zebras, gazelle, and wildebeests just a few minute’s walk into the bush, sunrises and sunsets that my camera can’t begin to capture, and views like none other…)
Sometimes we forget that our dad is right there…ready to walk right beside us through anything we are going through. I knew He was with me…I had a lot of peace about my Grandma’s passing and I felt his presence, but I forgot to lean back and trust that my dad would be there to catch me.
During that time of worship, I felt him wrapping his arms around me letting me know that through all of that he was right there with me. If I would have just sought him a little more instead of desiring human comfort, he would have wrapped is arms around me sooner.
So when you are going through a rough patch, remember to seek the Lord and lean back into HIS arms…he’ll wrap you in his lovingkindness.
Strange how God works at times. Did not get to reading this blog posting till today. Did read one you did after this and, as is my practice, passed it on to the the Mission Board here at Church. This one however was just read today. I said it is strange how God works in that this coming Sunday’s message will focus on the need to have that network of prayer warriors who can be an arm around you, a shoulder to lean on, a real live touch from someone. The song lyrics you posted will be used to help point people to the One who can help them through the process of dealing with, in the message focus, depression. The idea of the need for fellow followers of Jesus to be real and present with the one going through the storm is one of the keys for the message. Your blog posting spelled that out so beautifully! And the interesting thing about the Jeremiah passage is the word that the NIV and some other Bibles translate as ‘prosper’ is the Hebrew word ‘shalom’ which has the meaning of peace and welfare but far more often is simply translated peace. And it the peace that only God can bring! Blessings to you as you continue on your trip and your growth as a disciple of the King! And I am still working on getting the information about the speech therapist at the home who was a witness to your grandma.
Read your message and so sorry to hear that your Grandma died. No doubt it was hard for you to hear this news and not be home to be with your family. My sympathy to you and take care.
I love what you said Kelly. Yesterday for some reason, I was going through my pictures on my phone and I saw pictures of grandma before Easter, Easter, & her funeral. It kinda was sad but then I thought of where she is & who she’s with, God, grandpa Fahnestock, and your dad! I remembered how she cried the day we buried him. She is SOOO very happy now!!! Love & miss you, Sue
God’s embrace is so comforting! Love you!
Thank you Gloria!
Love you Sue. Thank you for reading my blogs!
Yes it is!
Dearest Kelly, Grant and I are sad to hear bout the passing of your Grandma, but so thankful that our heavenly Father gave you the space, peace, calm, and rest that you needed to mourn her passing. We will continue to pray for you and your family as you all mourn and miss her. We love you and look forward to seeing you.
Thank you so much! We all appreciate your prayers and I look forward to sharing with you both how God has been working when I return!
I’m so sorry about your grandmother. When my Dad died, one of the Sisters at the hospital where he died told my mother — When he was alive, you only had him when you were together. But now you have him with you always because you have all the memories. — I am sure you have some wonderful memories of your grandmother that will always be with you. And that is a wonderful blessing from God.
Kelly
I am so sorry to hear about your grandmother. My prayers are with you and your family. Your words really inspire me and I hope my prayers and God will comfort you during this difficult time.
Thank you Barb.
Thank you Lori!
Dear Kelly,
I’m so sorry to hear of the passing of your beloved grandmother. I know how much she meant to all of you. May you have great conversations with her during all of the beautiful sunrises and sunsets.
Love, Leah
Love this Kel. Looking forward to being with you soon.
Praying for you Kelly – we love you!
Praying for you. God holds us all safe in his arms.
Thank you Leah
Thanks TT!
Thank you
Wow! God is so good in the ways that he works! Glad this could help your message. I hope it was all received well.
Yes he does!