It feels like I haven’t posted in forever – even though you guys got an update on Monday. I wrote that post last week because I KNEW this week was going to be just craziness!
The past two days WORRY has been on my mind – and not so much in the way of things I am worrying about, but more so about what I am not worried about. Last Tuesday, we posted about Future Baby Jonah and got something very rare for this blog. A true first, actually. A nastygram, in the form of a blog comment. It was supposed to be anonymous. The person used a fake, and very rude, e-mail address, and said something very hurtful, but thanks to technology, know that whatever you post or write on the internet, your identity can be found out. That said, we know who this comment came from.
Rather than WORRYING about what that person said, and if it might be true, I was first angry with her and then later – after much prayer and cooling off time 🙂 – sad for her. Her comment made me remember what my life was like without Christ at the center. It makes me look back on how unbearably bleak an existence without hope is.
I love the way The Message translation of the Bible reads. Try this one on for size:
James 1:2-4
The Message (MSG)
Faith Under Pressure
2-4 Consider it a sheer gift, friends, when tests and challenges come at you from all sides. You know that under pressure, your faith-life is forced into the open and shows its true colors. So don’t try to get out of anything prematurely. Let it do its work so you become mature and well-developed, not deficient in any way.
My faith in Christ means that I don’t have to worry. His Promises are real. His Word is true. His Spirit is our comfort.
The Holy Spirit has revealed and continues to reveal to me and to those around Craig and I truths and promises about our Baby Jonah. He asks that we continue to follow Him – no matter what, and the more closely we follow, the more He shows us we are on the right path. It is an uphill journey. It has not been easy.
He doesn’t promise easy. As a matter of fact, He warns the road is a hard one.
Matthew 10:16
The Message (MSG)
16 “Stay alert. This is hazardous work I’m assigning you. You’re going to be like sheep running through a wolf pack, so don’t call attention to yourselves. Be as cunning as a snake, inoffensive as a dove.
So don’t worry. Be diligent in your prayer life and follow Him – no matter what.
1 Peter 5:7
The Message (MSG)
6-7 So be content with who you are, and don’t put on airs. God’s strong hand is on you; he’ll promote you at the right time. Live carefree before God; he is most careful with you.
If God is for you, after all, who can POSSIBLY be against you – and stand a chance?
The (Not-So) Newlywed Lefebvres 
I am so amazed with the way you share your hearts, hopes,and faith – you put it all out there, and it is clear you do so knowing that God (and the rest of his followers) have your back. Don’t worry about the naysayers/mean or non-thinkers! -just keep inspiring and amazing us with your faith!
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You are so very kind, Kym! I just think about the time in my life before I had His joy in my heart, and the difference in who I am and the way I feel is so ENORMOUS, I just can’t help but attempt to spread even a glimmer of the way God has changed my life! 🙂 God bless you!
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These verses came to mind while reading your post. I’m sorry you had to deal with a nastygram!
“What great blessings there are for the people that are treated badly for doing good! The kingdom of heaven belongs to them. People will say bad things against you and hurt you. They will lie and say all kinds of evil things against you because you follow me. But when people do those things to you, know that God will bless you. Be happy and glad. You have a great reward waiting for you in heaven. People did those same bad things to the prophets that lived before you.” – Matthew 5:10-12
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You are SO sweet!! Thank you for sending this scripture! The path we are following will never be easy – and we are fully aware of that – but, it still REALLY helps to have wonderful friends and such positive encouragement on our side!
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