Skip to main content

Through the Graves to the Gardens by Kelly Stine




I remember where I was standing in the middle of Old Navy getting last minute items for a mission trip to Ireland when the dreadfully painful words hit my ears, “you have lost the baby.”  Suddenly I was shell shocked and it was like I was in a muted life and everything felt like it was moving faster than I was.  I couldn’t say anything or do anything.

A few days before when I saw suspect evidence of a miscarriage, I began to pray, and when I did I felt the Lord say “Blood doesn’t just mean death.  I shed my blood so that you could have life.”  These words resonated with me and rested on me.  I have remembered these words ever since and when circumstances seem confusing or desperate (or anywhere in between), I get to remember that I serve a God who has put resurrection power on display through the cross and the empty tomb.

When I heard those words, I thought He was assuring me that I wasn’t miscarrying and that everything would be fine (that’s how my finite human mind works sometimes because I want what I want), BUT what He was saying was that “He works all things together for the good of those who love Him and who are called according to His purpose” (Romans 8:28) and “For there is hope for a tree, if it be cut down, that it will sprout again, and that its shoots will not cease.  Though its roots grow old in the earth, and its stump die in the soil, yet at the scent of water it will bud and put out branches like a young plant (Job 14).”  He was saying that He was with me and that He has me.  He was reminding me that even when things don’t go my way or the way I think they should that He is sovereign and faithful.

“Very truly I tell you, unless a kernel of wheat falls to the ground and dies, it remains only a single seed.  But if it dies, it produces MANY seeds.” (John 12:24) When I realize that dying to my will and my way will produce life, then I am able to be planted in the promise of seeing the harvest.

When it seemed bleak and the ache of my circumstance could have overtaken me, I was clinging to the promise that this death would produce life in me, my marriage, and my family.  It was the beginnings of a refining season that produced treasures that I would never take back.

With God nothing is impossible and He who began a good work is faithful to complete it.  When I want things to happen in my time and in my way, I am comforted and assured by Isaiah 55:8 that declares God’s thoughts are not our thoughts and His ways are not our ways.

Sister, if you are sitting pretty I bless you there.  If you are in the middle of a mess, whether it is a result of your own choices or external circumstances, I pray that the God of the universe will remind you that you are not alone.  I pray that the truth of His bloodshed, that meant life for you, would sink deep into your being.  If you are coming out of the fog, I bless you to see the face of the One who catches all of your tears and makes all things new.  I bless you to rest in the character of God and the fruit of the Spirit.  Your health, relationships, career, kids, husband, education, or finances may FEEL hopeless, but take heart my dear - no trouble is too great and no relationship or person is too far gone for God.  He spoke life into existence and He will do it again.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Meet Cara Dowdy

If you've ever met Cara Dowdy , you know that she epitomizes the word sweet.  Kind, caring and genuine, Cara has a heart for her family and others and loves use her gifts to bless others. Cara is married to Brenton who is the Associate Pastor of Worship at Beltway Park.  They have been married for five years and have a son, Josiah who is a year and a half and are expecting their second child soon.   One of their favorite past times as family is playing disc golf together in their free time. During the day, Cara is a stay at home mom with her son.  She also loves getting to volunteer at her former place of work, Pregnancy Resources of Abilene.  Cara has been gifted with the spiritual gifts of compassion, service, and encouragement.  She uses these gifts most effectively in her role at PRA once a week, counseling and praying with women who find themselves in crisis pregnancies.  Cara's extreme passion for LIFE is also a natural fit for her ro...
Post a Comment
Read more

Beltway Women Volunteer Equipping Day

Beltway Women has a passion to reach every woman for Christ, and encourage them to connect with other women in genuine community and worship.  In order to do this…we need your help!  All women who are currently a part of the Beltway Women team (or women’s ministry) are encouraged to attend a Volunteer Equipping day on Saturday, January 18, 9-11:30 a.m. in the Chapel.  We will recast the vision of our women’s ministry, plan for 2014 calendar events, provide training for each individual team (hospitality, etc.), spend time in prayer and fellowship, and discuss ways that you can be involved.  Any woman interested in joining the Beltway Women team is welcome to attend…we would love to have you!!  Some of the activities and events we will be discussing are the spring RELEASED Retreat, Women’s Bible Studies, Women’s life groups, and the SHAPE Retreat.  I hope you will join us! Please register online here . Deadline for registration, especially children’s minist...
Post a Comment
Read more

Breakthrough by Audra Butler

I have been feeling some very strange and growing emotions since quarantine began.  I can’t define them. The only way to describe them are jumbled and cloudy.  It’s as if my mind and heart are growing cloudier with each day. I was texting back and forth last night with a dear sister (because that’s what you do in quarantine 😂 ).  Her texts to me were the exact feelings I had been experiencing.  It was confirmation that we were to start praying for breakthrough. I woke up early this morning and was so ready to sit in His presence, open His word, read what He had for me and hear His sweet voice.  But, when I looked outside, the sunrise caught me!  I immediately ran out to enjoy the pinks and oranges filling the sky.  Then, I turned the opposite way and I was in awe of the almost full moon and a Great Blue Heron sitting so majestically on the neighbor’s pier.  Our Creator’s beauty always outdoes itself and speaks an infinite amount of word...
Post a Comment
Read more