-saying good-bye to an unborn child
-a spouse walks out after nearly a decade of marriage
-a substantial amount of cash and some personal items are stolen
-new glasses are delayed because the lenses are back ordered from the manufacturer in devastated Japan
-homes face a huge fire
The past few weeks have connected us to multiple hard times and tragedies. With the exception of the new glasses and one of the homes being our former home, we haven't faced them personally, but have been blessed to walk along side - literally or in prayer - people that we care about who are currently traversing these valleys.
And here we are at Passion week. The build up of emotions from these experiences make Passion week, well, more passionate. Emotional. How can we bear it all? The only answer I know is prayer. If I were not unloading these burdens in prayer and trusting that God's divine hand is in control, then I would become a puddle of tears on the floor. We aren't made to stand alone beneath the weight of these things.
Surely he took up our infirmities and carried our sorrows,
yet we consider him stricken by God,
smitten by him, and afflicted.
But he was pierced for our transgressions,
he was crushed for our iniquities;
the punishment that brought us peace was upon him,
and by his wounds we are healed.
We all, like sheep, have gone astray,
each of us has turned to his own way;
and the Lord has laid on him the iniquity of us all.
- Isaiah 53:4-6
Having the weight of sorrow so fresh in my mind makes the image of Jesus carrying his cross to Golgotha heavier than ever before. And yet, I can't get the lyrics to "Trading my Sorrows" out of my head. I'm laying it down for the joy of the Lord. So looking forward to celebrating the miracle of Easter morning!
