Understanding....

A lot has been on my mind just recently....it has been a difficult time, and that tends to be when my heart is especially full. We spent a week with families, who have challenges similar to ours with children who are sick, medically fragile, etc. Some will recover and live a normal life....and some, might not. It is in these circumstances I am grateful for my belief, faith and understanding. But I still grieve for them, and hope for a miracle for them. We have known for quite some time that Ethan will most likely not have a normal lifespan. I feel blessed for the time we have had with him, being blessed by his sweet spirit, our lives have been truly blessed, just because he has been here. He is the way our Heavenly Father meant him to be, because in his current condition, he is able to touch lives in a way he could not have done had he been a typical child.

During our holiday, Kurt Warner, a devout Christian, gave a sermon to our group. He talked about Moses, and his keen awareness of his limitations, and how God reminded Moses that he (Moses) was created in His (God's) image.... I believe with all my heart that God gives weakness unto men that he will be humble and that if we are sufficiently humble and faithful that God will make our weaknesses our strengths. I am grateful for my weaknesses because they do remind me that I can't do everything on my own....I was never meant too. And I have seen Ethan build his weaknesses into incredible strengths.

I remember a talk not to long ago where someone had reflected about wanting a "How to" book or instructions on what they had to do in this life to return to our Heavenly Father.....The answer was in the Sermon on the Mount contained in the book of Matthew and I have added my thoughts in ():

Matthew 5:3-12 (King James Version)

3 Blessed are the poor in spirit (who turn to Him): for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

4 Blessed are they that mourn (and put their faith in Him): for they shall be comforted.

5 Blessed are the meek (and are humble before Him): for they shall inherit the earth.

6 Blessed are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness (and seek after Him): for they shall be filled.

7 Blessed are the merciful: for they shall obtain mercy.

8 Blessed are the pure in heart: for they shall see God.

9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

10 Blessed are they which are persecuted for righteousness' sake: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.

I have heard many say that they will be saved by grace...but I don't believe grace alone is enough....we have to do our part. It isn't enough to say you have faith, you have to act on that faith.

Matthew 5:16 (King James Version)

16 Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

It is through your works that you will be saved....and those works are the service to your fellow men.

I have seen many good works, and I am grateful that My Heavenly Father has blessed my life through the actions of others especially those children who have incredible weakness (and amazing strength) and their families. Our lives have truly been blessed.