Tiffany Harper

We Are Not Immune

My stomach was in knots all day.  The news coming from my husband's mouth was shocking to both of us.  We both stared at each other, not sure what to say next.  What to think. How to pray.  Have you ever had one of those days? Experienced something so startling that your nerves are just a mess.  You feel sick, nauseous. Upset, angry, hurt. The tears flow.  At least for me.  

We had Illuminate in just a few hours.  We both could feel our anxiety and heartbreak fighting with us as we sought to continue our ministry to those we loved at our Young Adult group.  In humble obedience, we placed our hearts before our heavenly Father, trusting in His goodness to speak through us.

We were blessed to witness students choosing Hope.  God moved.

At home we prayed together.  

We are not immune to falling.  That was the first thought out of my wise husband's mouth.  

"It could have very well have been me."  

It was then I couldn't hold the tears anymore.  I prayed for my husband. For his ministry. For protection.  I prayed for those hurt. For those we know who are in ministry.  

We are not immune to falling.  

When we are doing Kingdom work, obedient to God and loving His people, Satan is on the prowl.  Those who are not idle in their walk are his prey.  He seeks to destroy us. He will lie to us, accuse us. And sometimes, it seems like he succeeds.  

In Lamentations 3:19-29 (ESV) the author speaks of remembering his own afflictions and wanderings.  Remembering my past, how God brought me from so much. And He continues to restore me when I wander in my heart and in my life.  

That His grace is limitless. His loving-kindness never failing. 

"..praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.." Ephesians 6:18 (ESV)

In His Grace,

Tiff~

Encouragement in Written Form

I love receiving cards in the mail. To me, nothing says "I love you" or "thinking about you" than a personal, hand-written note from a loved one.  They often come unexpectedly, and I believe that is the beauty of the note.  

To bring unexpected, joy, hope and encouragement into one's life. 

Yesterday, on September 11th, I attended a Memorial Service for a dear friend and attendee of Illuminate.  Watching a mother grieve the loss of a child is so hard to view.  It is something I pray to God everyday that I never have to experience, regardless of the age of my children. While I was getting ready, I knew she would need encouragement.  I decided to give her a card of encouragement.

I also knew that she would probably be receiving lots of cards.  Written words from those who loved Kelly. From those who may have had a hard time finding the words to say to bring comfort, but a card they found spoke it perfectly.

That is the beauty of a card.

I picked out my card from Dayspring's Hope and Encouragement set.   It said exactly what I was thinking that morning. My heart heavy knowing we were celebrating a life that was no longer with us.  Praying for Kelly's Mom and brother. Praying for other family members and friends who would be with us that morning.  There was joy in my heart knowing that her mother and brother had accepted Jesus. Joy because Kelly was in heaven in a new body, no longer in pain.  Joy because others would get to hear about the Jesus Kelly loved so deeply.

That is the beauty of experiencing pain. 

I don't wish to dwell in pain, or even experience it regularly.  But it is when I am hurting or I see others hurting that I know our Heavenly Father is really present.  That He carries us and calls us to lean on Him so much that we can't imagine being anywhere else.  And it is with that experience with pain that we know to bring encouragement to those who experience it as well.  

Through a card. Encouragement in written form. Sometimes, our mouths don't form the words we want to say. 

But a card can.

Tiff~

P.S. Today is National Day of Encouragement.  If there is someone you know who could use a beautiful, encouraging note from you, please send one today. 

*Huge thank you to (in)courage for sending me the beautiful package of cards from their Hope and Encouragement collection.  They are absolutely beautiful and I have several more being mailed out to friends and family as we speak.*