Welcome to my eclectic journey of my life and delights. This year my theme is surrendering my writing pen to the true author, Jesus Christ, while looking forward to the future, reflecting on the past and dancing through my journey.




Friday, November 9, 2012

Thank You for Your Faithfulness

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Two couples sat across from each other, each having more wrinkles and grey hair than their first meeting decades earlier.  We were first brought together as neighbors, our shared love for the Lord and common interests sparked our friendship.  Between us we had eight children then, seven boys and one girl.  Each family was just beginning their journey of home schooling.  Eventually, job opportunities separated us by many miles... and time marched on.

Behold, children are a gift of the LORD, The fruit of the womb is a reward. Like arrows in the hand of a warrior, so are the children of one's youth. How blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them; They will not be ashamed when they speak with their enemies in the gate. Ps 127:3-5 (NAS)

This week we reunited for a short visit.  Today, we now have twelve children between us...eleven boys and one girl.  We have a common bond again...our adult children are getting married, and it happens that two of our children will marry at the same place just months apart.

You would never know that years and miles have kept our friendship from daily interchange; you would think we had walked the last 17 years as neighbors.  We shared our journeys...both couples' mixture of joys and tremendous struggles.  We both agreed we were glad God didn't show us ahead of time what the journey would hold.  We both celebrated that our paths had crossed again.

Then during the chattering exchanges, trying to catch up on the past years and present day news, the husband stopped us all.  He gently spoke, "Before I forget to do this...I want to thank you both for being faithful."

My throat choked up and my mind went to Gideon as the Lord declared him valiant.  My mind also went to Moses as Moses questioned the position God was calling him to walk.

How could this couple, who we hadn't had the joy of walking close beside for years, call us faithful?  They just didn't know the whole story. Surely I needed to fill in all the gaps of our sin.

Then God tenderly touched my spirit.  The words from the man of God weren't his words. They were words God was having him say to encourage us.

They left...far too soon.

I noticed that I walked a little taller.  I started back into our home and, in the Spirit, I picked back up the weapons I had allowed to be stripped from my hands.  I put the arrows in my bow (the Word of God) and mentally directed them at the enemies' lies....those lies of failure, the lies of lack, the lies that our marriage wouldn't make it, the lies that our children wouldn't walk in their spiritual heritage...all of the lies.

For our struggle is not against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the powers of this dark world and against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly realms. Eph. 6:12

Just one short sentence put this warrior back in the game.  Maybe that is why scripture tells us to encourage each other while it is still today.

But encourage one another daily, as long as it is called Today, so that none of you may be hardened by sin's deceitfulness.  Hebrews 3:13

So I turn now to you to say, "Thank you for being faithful!"  So many times, your written words have encouraged me in my journey.  Your faithfulness has declared the truth of His word. As a fellow sojourner in this walk on earth, you have shown me faithfulness... and I am both encouraged and grateful.

23 Joining in with more words:

GratefulPrayerThankfulHeart said...

Good morning Janette,

I found encouragement in the verses you shared here. Thanks :)

http://bitsandpieces-sonja.blogspot.com/ said...

What a beautiful and tender sharing Janette. I love the way you received it as from the Lord, and were encouraged in your own spirit, as He meant for you to be. Taller, yes, and stronger and more determined than ever. Wow! What a little word of encouragement means. I am encouraged too, just reading it.

xo

Debbie Petras said...

Simply beautiful post Janette! May you truly be encouraged and know that you are loved. You are an encouragement to me.

Blessings and love,
Debbie

Farm Girl said...

How sweet and what a wonderful post. That is really like a jewel in your crown.
I just wanted to say, I don't ever loose weight, I just try and try. :) I just didn't want you to get the wrong idea.

Cindy said...

A very uplifting post and a good reminder to me to receive the truth of encouragement while shooting down the lies of the enemy.

Susan Nowell @ My Place to Yours said...

Thank you, Janette, for your encouragement -- and, yes, for your faithfulness. I pray I will speak words of encouragement to those around me as your friend did with you. We MUST all be here for each other!

Kathleen said...

Lovely! What a great reminder that here, even in cyberspace, our words have power; and that the church transcends the traditional.

Thank YOU for your faithfulness; for living your life out loud for God's glory.

Anonymous said...

Janette,
This is such a wonderful post. I thank you for your faithfulness. It is a great encouragement to know you also are walking in the Lord every day, that we know Him and have been brought through every circumstances by His goodness.
We are not alone!

Sandy said...

This is wonderful. I am always very encouraged with how you share your life, Janette, and today is no exception. Just beautiful.

Angel said...

Janette,

Your words have touched me and encouraged me.

When I am tempted to forget my blessings, I will think back to this post and remember to "put the arrows in my bow (the Word of God) and mentally direct them at the enemies' lies."

Love this!

Maryann said...

I am so glad you received those words of encouragement...just know I am also encouraged by you

Rebecca said...

Oh, yes, Janette! Encouraging one another is SO important and all the more as we see The Day approaching!

That's one reason I don't plan to give up blogging in the near future! It doesn't replace the face-to-face encouragement we need to be about DAILY - but it sure does SUPPLEMENT it!

Sue Anne McKinney said...

Truly thankful for your faithfulness. It is so sweet to grow older with friends who know the faithfulness of God and walk it out every day. Love you and praying.

Lea @ CiCis Corner said...

What a sweet, sweet post and what a compliment from your friends. That's a special, special friendship!

Happy weekend!

Cecilia Marie Pulliam said...

Wow. Those words are so encouraging. I can hear Him saying the words to you. We all fail, but you have pulled yourself up and continued on in faith. You have been faithful. What a powerful way for Him to encourage you and give you a sure sign of His love.

camp and cottage living said...

Janette
I love that children's song, 'He's Still Working on Me'. I have days that I feel like such a failure in my walk and then the Lord sends an e-mail from a friend telling me how I've encouraged them. I wonder how? I guess the Lord knows we need to hear that we have done something right once in a while.
I'm glad you had a great visit with your dear friends!

Tanna said...

this brought tears to my eyes, Janette. from my perspective, i cannot fathom how you would ever feel unfaithful... but, boy, do i know that doubt... and you are so right about its source... God spoke to you through your friend... and then He spoke to others of us through you... thank you, my sweet faithful friend... big hugs ~ tanna

no spring chicken said...

You beautiful, beautiful saint. Thank you. Once again you (?) spoke straight to my heart.

Blessings, Debbie

Brenda Lazzaro Yoder, said...

I am smiling as I read this in my chair, much being behind these words. Well done my good and faithful servant. I'm not sure of the journey, but the more I read your posts reflecting your heart I learn there are many similarities in our stories. Which is why these words are so powerful to you and an encouragement to me. Thank you for sharing this gift of God to you.

Brenda Lazzaro Yoder, said...

I am smiling as I read this in my chair, much being behind these words. Well done my good and faithful servant. I'm not sure of the journey, but the more I read your posts reflecting your heart I learn there are many similarities in our stories. Which is why these words are so powerful to you and an encouragement to me. Thank you for sharing this gift of God to you.

Pom Pom said...

You're so true and good. There are not enough faithful ones.

Sharon said...

I loved this post, Janette. Yes, I would have to agree with your friends - you are an example of faithfulness. I appreciate what you share, and how you continue to follow the Lord, even when you don't understand where the path is leading...

GOD BLESS!

Debbie said...

I am just now seeing this.

I am uncharacteristically short of words.

Can I just say that I agree with the husband? THANK you for being faithful.

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