Carry each other’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ.
~Galations 6:2

January 29, 2012 "Dear God, my heart is so heavy this morning," is the way I began each day this past week. I believe this is the result of my fervent prayer to see needs through God's eyes. This week has put that prayer to test as I have had the opportunity to carry the burdens of others. Some know that I am sharing their pain and some don't and that is okay. I want to take a moment to reflect.

Due to my code of ethics as a school counselor, I am not allowed or would I want to reveal an identity so I will be have to be vague, but just this week I listened to desparate parents cry out for help with their children, talked to students about their less than desirable living circumstances, prayed for yet another failing marriage, witnessed my husband administer CPR to an ederly man with heart problems and watched the painful expressions on faces at the funeral of Mr. Charles Murphy, our mayor who fell victim to a senseless act of violence earlier this week.

My heart has never been as heavy as it has been for my friends, the Murphy's this week.  As I was talking with my husband about our friends at lunch today, something occurred to me. It is not original, but was profound to me at that moment. Mr. Murphy's daughter-in-law, Ellen, has been so touched by the kind things people have said about him to the media and has commented that she wants him to be remembered by the kind things he did for people. So, the thought that God brought to my mind is this...What if we talked about  the good things people do while they are living and treat them as if they they have value? I believe Mr. Murphy did. A retired teacher described him as "unassuming". Other than being a woman after God's own heart, I can't think of a nicer thing I would like for people say about me when I die.

Today is March 7, and I don't really know why I haven't posted the above before now, except that  tomorrow I would want Mr. Murphy's family to know that I am praying for them and trying to help carry the burden as the trial begins for the young man that changed so many lives on that early morning in January. God says to turn our worries into prayers. I pray for them to turn to Him in this great time of need.

Now, We Wait

The idea for this came as I was driving home from our last court session (1/13) for the  kiddos ...

Just as a reminder, we are in our first experience as foster parents and this case has been a roller coaster ride (physically and emotionally), to say the least! To make a long (long) story short, the judge basically gave the parent six months to accompolish what is necessary to be reunified with his children. I don't know what we expected, but when he said we would reconvene on July 6, 2012 my heart sank just a little. It just seems like so long for these children to wait for a permenant home and for someone to call "Mom and Dad". Once that day arrives, I'm almost certain there will be more waiting.

As I was beginning to become weary and beaten down thinking of the time we would have to wait to see if Dad is going to get his goals accompolished, a very kind note I received just a few days prior came to mind. The cover of the card has a soaring eagle on the front. Keep in mind these birds are highly protected and folks get in big trouble for killing them and for even disturbing the nests. The scripture under the large bird of prey read, "Those that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength. They shall mount up with wings like eagles." Isaiah 40:31 Ahhhh....instant relief. At the time all I could think of was..."those that wait on the Lord," but that was enough for me. I knew there was a great promise that followed. Once home, I ran right to my bag where my card is stored to read the rest of the verse. While waiting is difficult, I have peace that the children will be protected and if my "nest" is disturbed, the Lord will renew my strength!

I wonder if my dear friend even really paid much attention to the card she chose to send to me that day, but I know Someone that did!