Life in Grace

My house is quiet this morning.

My dear babies are still sleeping after our late night of ringing in the New Year.

So I decide to catch up on the blog world since I have just a few minutes to myself.

And I start seeing the blog posts from earlier this week about the tragic, tragic house fire that hit the home of Edie from Life in Grace . Edie is an amazing blogger who shares her love of decorating and home schooling and cooking and Christ with so many.

Edie and her family were spared just minutes before the house was engulfed in flames, but they have lost everything.

So I read her posts full of raw emotion. And I cry for a woman I’ve never met but exchanged emails with. And I feel like I’ve been punched in the stomach.

What an amazing pillar of strength and transparency Edie is. They have lost all of their earthly possessions in just a few minutes during a week when most of us are rejoicing. I can’t imagine the emotions that brings. I can’t imagine being her this morning and knowing God is merciful and good and yet facing the reality of starting over.

This has been a painful season of great reflection for me.

In just the last few months…. in just my small circle of friends…

…People I know have been diagnosed with cancer.

…A family I know has had to suffer the tragic, painful loss of a child.

…Neighbors have lost their homes.

…Children have lost their daddy to addiction.

…Families have been divided because of unforgiveness and pride.

…Hearts have been broken.

While the birth of our Savior gives us much to be grateful for…..God never promised we would be without pain. But He did promise to be with us through that pain. And He gives us each other and relationships to hold each other up in difficult times when we feel as though we cannot hold ourselves up.

In Exodus 17, the Bible talks about the the battle Joshua had with the Amalekites. “Moses, Aaron and Hur were at the top of the hill. As long as Moses held up his hands, the Israelites were winning. But whenever Moses lowered his hands, the Amalekites were winning. When Moses’s hands grew tired, his friends took stones and put it under him. Aaron and Hur held Moses hands up– one on one side, one on another- so that his hands remained steady until sunset. So Joshua overcame the Amalekite army with the sword”. (Exodus 17:10-13)

Most of us don’t have to look far to find someone who may need us to hold up their hands in their time of need/battle today.

Edie is one of those people.

The Nester has put together a beautiful video for Edie that you can see here.

One of my goals for 2011 is to love others more this year. To be mindful of other’s pain. To not be afraid to look grief in the face and acknowledge it. To pray for others more and less for myself.

If you have time this morning, start out 2011 in selfless prayer for another.