sharing my story
Just a few things I have been thinking about this week...
Someone asked me to share my story. To share what God has been teaching me over the last year. Wow. Where do I start? God has been teaching me so many life-changing things. But, what are the BIG things that I keep going back to since loosing Cora?
I was talking to a friend about all of this. Trying to collect my thoughts. I wanted to share my story in a way that was meaningful and purposeful, but how do I do that? My friend reminded me of something that is so true. Something that I think I often loose sight of. My story is not powerful. It is a tool that can be used to share truth; a tool that can be used to share God's indescribable hope and grace. But in and of itself it is not life-changing. What is powerful is God's truth. I feel so relieved when I think of sharing my story in that perspective. That is very freeing to me. All I have to do is be faithful to share. God will do the rest. He is the one who is life-changing.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you
to give the reason for the HOPE that you have.
1 Peter 3:15
I have been pretty emotional this week, just thinking through loosing Cora and how far God has brought me to where I am now. I haven't felt much like writing on my blog. I have just been thinking and reading and praying. A lot. But it has been so good for me to look back on God's faithfulness over the past year. It has been good for me to write down my thoughts. It has been good to read the Word and be reminded of some of God's truths that carried me through this year. I hope to share more with you soon. But for right now, that is where I am at this week.
And just in case you are wondering about Mr. Levi, he is doing good. He is getting quite the personality and we are loving watching him grow. The weather around here has been crazy. Last weekend we were bundling Levi up to go out in the snow. One day this week it was beautiful and felt like spring. Now it is rainy and windy. Yuck! This girl is ready for some sunshine.
I'm sure you have figured this out, but Cora's is sold out. I've received some e-mails asking where the dresses are. Everything is gone. Sorry. I am working on getting all the orders packaged up this weekend. Hopefully we will be able to re-stock soon. Thanks for keeping us so busy!
Okay, I have to go cheer on the Wildcats now. Go K-State!!
posted by the mcclenahans @ 2:55 PM
19 Comments:
i love reading your story, all the parts of it... the raw, honest truth that it isn't always easy but God always makes a way. you are such an inspiration for me and i am thankful for your willingness to share your heart on here.
Go State!!!! We are so excited in this house we can hardly stand it.
God's story is amazing and so are you! Many Many Blessings to you and I know that one of these times I will get a dress before my little girl is too big to wear them.
Thanks for Sharing Gods story with all of us so often. He must be so proud of you!
I think folks love your story because of your beautiful faith, & frankly because of that faith & Levi you have a "happy ending." That sounds cold & i don't mean it to. You lost Cora & that is horrible, but your faith is shining & you've been blessed with a son.
Some of us are not shining. I am not the beautiful example of faith that you present, & i don't have a happy ending. God is not going to provide children in our family.
It is wonderful to read your story & see that you continue to praise & honor God in the midst of your pain & that he has honored you in return.
I'm so glad to hear that you are getting an opportunity to reflect on the past year by putting it together as a part of your family's story. At the same time, my heart aches thinking of what this must mean for you.
Thank you for continuing to share your heart, and for allowing the Lord's light to shine through you.
With love and prayers,
XO*Tricia
P.S. Levi is so scrumptious. ;)
You, in all of your brutal honesty, inspire me to be better, do better. Thank you for sharing your Cora, your life, your story and your Levi with us.
Kim
So weird that I have been struggling with the same thing. I was asked to speak about how God has restored my joy after Nate's death (2 years ago this week). It's at a women's bible study for my church. Part of me wants to share what God has done in my life and the other part doesn't want to show my emotions and vulnerability to some family members and old friends that attend that bible study.
I believe that God just wants to use me to speak to others. It's just hard to sign up for that. To go back and remember where I was and remember how much pain I was in.
Thank you for sharing your struggle. It helps!
Hugs,
Trisha
I praise God for the blessing you guys have been in my life (even though we've never met) in the way that you're living out this journey He's laid out for you. Your openness and honest emotions are even encouraging. God has a way of showing Himself even through our trials and tears. I love Him for that, because I know we'd make a mess of it all, on our own.
I pray for you when you come into my mind.
I love your blog and I love that you share and have brought so much glory to God!
PRECIOUS picture of Levi! You should add it to your right column with the other family pictures :)
Although we've never met, I pray for you often. Your love for Christ and faithfullness through everything is a true inspiration. Levi is beautifully made and sure is handsome :)
Off the subject question:
I am wondering what kind of camera you have? It always captures the moments in such perfect detail!
That is a wise thing your friend told you. I remember a pastor in a sermon a long time ago said to beware of books that claim to be life-changing, etc., because, as you said, there is only one life-changer, only one who has the power. It is not within us, nor is it up to us. We cannot change ourselves by ourselves! It is a great comfort to know that it is not up to us.
Levi is such a handsome little man.
I hope that the sun shines soon for you. I live in Dallas, and we had a weird winter (that's what they say, we've only been here a few years) and I was missing the sun, too. It makes a huge difference. More than I even realized. I'm glad your dresses sell out so quickly (although I'd love to be fast enough one day!) and you do what you need to do as far as all that goes. Blessings as you contemplate God's love, mercy, compassion, strength, comfort this week.
Thank you for sharing where you are at right now. To sit on the other side of your story and watch is devastating and beautiful all at the same time. I pray He continues to wrap you up tightly in Himself. You are beautiful.
thanks for sharing... i've been struck myself by how God's provision is so perfect and complete. keep your eyes on Him.
Praying for you as you go through this process.
Levi is looking gorgeous; his chubby cheeks tell of a healthy, happy little boy!
You are such an inspiration to so many, keep the faith!
Sue X
He's so, so, so adorable!
Levi is so scrumptious! I also love his hat.
I look forward to your story and am glad if your faith helps you to tell it. I respect that you and many of your readers feel that God is behind everything. However, as someone who does not believe in God myself, I also want to reassure you that your story is life changing from a purely human perspective. As a mother, your story changed me. And I am certain it has touched many others who do not necessarily share your faith either.
That makes it even more far-reaching, it seems to me. Just a different point of view.
Your story is one that has touched me in a way that no other story has. You continue to be in my daily thoughts and prayers, and the tears often flow as my grief for you is still very heavy. But my hope in God is stronger.
I look forward to hearing more about the power of God's truth in your life and how He has remained faithful to you.
Love and Hugs to you, Joel, Levi and your families.
Hope you enjoyed the sunshine!! Sending love and hugs today...
awwwwww so cute!
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