A month later I was praying and crying out to God. A name came to my heart- Baby Joshua. I thought it was part of the mourning process and gave me a chance to give love to a baby with a name in heaven.
Fast forward 2 years, I was reading one of my favorite chapters in scriptures, Joshua 1. What I call the "be brave and strong even in tragedy" chapter.
1 After the death of Moses the lord’s servant, the lord spoke to Joshua son of Nun, Moses’ assistant. He said, 2“Moses my servant is dead. Therefore, the time has come for you to lead these people, the Israelites, across the Jordan River into the land I am giving them....6“Be strong and courageous, for you are the one who will lead these people to possess all the land I swore to their ancestors I would give them. 7Be strong and very courageous.
My paraphrase of the chapter: Moses is dead but God's promises are not. You can still have courage and strength in what God has planned or in His promises. There are many promises in the Bible and that God has given me personally, that create hope in my life.
Easter is also about a death and hope. We so often minimize the death of Jesus, the pain and grief of his family, friends and followers. I can not believe they had much hope in a future with him. Yet THREE days later, he showed his power and that God keeps His promises and has a plan bigger than we can ever understand.
Joshua is a name that to me represents being strong and courageous in the face of sadness and lose. Finding strength in God and courage in the gifts He has given me. Know my journey is not without hope. What in your life have you given up on? Struggling to find joy? Feel alone in the mist of your pain? I want to say to you "Be Strong and Courageous" in the knowledge of God's promises. God has a plan for me and for you my friends!
I hope this Easter for you is full of courage and strength no matter what you are going through. God is in control and He loves you. He has a plan and it may not be easy to follow but God is faithful to stand with you in everything you do.
*Please note: I do not pretend I understand the death of a child you have held in your arms, but I do know God is the same today as He was at Easter 2000 years ago.
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| Joshua's Ornament - Be strong and courageous not matter what life throws at you! |
