Last Sunday we celebrated the launch of C3 Celebrations. 90 people came to that launch and it was a really powerful start!
Right before that weekend, Shaina's grandpa passed away.
Monday morning, I got a call that my mom had passed away of a stroke.
Monday calling hours Tuesday funeral Wednesday calling hours Thursday funeral.
And one of the hardest weeks I can speak of.
Not a coincidence...the week we came to Columbus to do some reconnaissance to see what it would be like to plant a church in Columbus, we almost watched Chaia die.
Not a coincidence...the weekend we see the final piece of something we've been dreaming about and trusting God for the past three years come into existence is surrounded by deaths of loved ones.
Church planting is not for the faint of heart. I'm not saying if you plant a church your loved ones will die. I am saying that if you plant a church, you better anticipate the crushing.
This has been a hard road...and it is a road that has been filled with sadness and followed up by weariness.
But even in the midst of all this, I find myself satisfied by God. He is enough...in the hardship...He is enough.
Piper said it best...God is most glorified in us when we are most satisfied in Him, especially in suffering.
And I'm satisfied. I already miss mom immensely. But I'm satisfied.
I can't say I've had this feeling in the past. I've always been wanting...or feeling owed...or entitled.
But for whatever reason...right now...I know He is enough...and I'm satisfied.
I hope and pray that you know this satisfaction in Christ.
But Shaina and I are also spent. There is not much left in the tank.
So we are asking for prayers this week.
We leave tomorrow morning for a conference in Orlando. Leaving Chaia for a week with Grandma and Grandpa...(Pray for them!)
Pray for rest. Pray for rejuvenation. Pray for restoration. Pray that God would revive our weary souls.
We need it individually...in our marriage...as a family...and in ministry.
So pray like our lives depend on it.
because they do.
3 comments:
So sorry for your losses. We are praying for all of you. You guys are doing amazing things and will continue to do amazingly wonderful things!
Sorry for your losses. I have been and will continue to lift you and Chains up in prayer. Becky Gross
Praying for you and Shaina... Thankfully God is enough and your perspective is powerful... and solely Christ in you. Praise the Lord that Christ walked this earth and experienced pain and suffering... experienced losing those close to him. But He also experienced the hope of God making all things new. So glad your mom is experiencing that.. praying too that you would be filled with hope that is unexplainable.
Prayers are being sent your way
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