Happy Saturday!

Ugh! I just had a long update all typed up and was so inspired and then BAM "internet explorer is not responding" interrupts me and I have to start over!!! Oh, well, that's ok, maybe I wasn't supposed to post what I had written. I am NOT going to let a little computer glitch DEFEAT ME! Enough time spent on that - DONE! It will be a WONDERFUL, BEAUTIFUL AND HAPPY SATURDAY!!

So, I sit here and I ask God, what is Your will for me to say today? What do You have in store for me today? As many of you alerady know I follow several amazing children, men & women fighting with everything they have against cancer and other life threatening illnesses. As I was checking on them this morning, one in particular just really touched my heart. She is nearing the end of her journey here on earth. Her story is one of strength, courage, faith, trust and an amazing story of love. Her husband described this morning the beginning of their "fairy tale" romance. He described how he went into their marriage knowing that there would be health crisis' in their future. He knew she was a diabetic. He knew children might not be in their future. He didn't care. Shortly before proposing to her he had a vision of sorts. He now understands that God was gently letting him know that there would come a day where they would face a major health crisis but that God would get him through it.

They married and although things were not always "perfect" and although trials in life would cause them to take paths they weren't thrilled to trod, they did so knowing they were following God's will for their lives. If you asked him today if he regreted the sacrifices he has had to make to be married to the love of his life, his answer would no doubt be 100% wholeheartedly, emphatically NO! Of course, he would gladly take away the excruciating pain and suffering she has had to endure but since this is the path they must go down, he considers it an honor to be able to love her, care for her, cherish her, let his face be the face she sees when she opens her eyes, let his loving touch be the comfort to her soul and that his hand will be the one to give her back to her Heavenly Father when the time comes. Wow, what an UNSELFISH, UNCONDITIONAL LOVE! What an amazing love story!

Which leads me into the UNWAVERING love story of our Lord for us! I was a little disheartened yesterday and felt that I had let God down because I hadn't pushed through the sickness and put into writing what His love meant to me on Good Friday. I realize now that it is OK because those words weren't for Him but for me. He already knows my heart! He knows how much His love and ultimate sacrifice mean to me! Even though I know that He knows, I am still going to honor Him with my words!

What does His sacrifice mean to me? Everything! Without His sacrifice I would have no hope. No hope of forgiveness, no hope of eternal life, no hope to carry on. There would be no joy in my life. No One to wipe the tears of my heart, no One to heal the bruises of life, no One to teach me how to love unconditionally, no One to teach me how to forgive others and to forgive myself. I wouldn't have a chance to make things better, different, no grace, no hope.

What an AMAZING gift! He didn't have to do it but He said, "Here I am Lord, send Me" and He went knowing what His future would behold. He suffered. Oh, how He suffered. But He did it. They beat Him beyond what I can even comprehend but He stayed the course. I can't imagine the torture He endured hanging on that cross. He was thirsty. They gave Him vinegar? But yet He stayed the course. "It is finished!" He paid the ultimate sacrifice for you and me! What an ULTIMATE love story! Total, 100% unconditional love!

I am thankful for His love. I am still learning everyday but I am so thankful He loved me enough to stick with me even though I wasn't always what He wanted me to be. I am thankful that I have the hope of eternal life. I am thankful that I can teach my children to have hope. Hope for a better tomorrow, hope for eternity.

Praying God be with you all as you celebrate & reflect on His death & resurrection. May you be filled with love & hope!

Until tomorrow,
Beth