Lamenting my way through...

I'm realizing how each time I sit to write this blog, I am needing to hear a word of encouragement and a gentle reminder for the eyes of my heart to look up and not to be downcast. (Especially on this glum fall-like day!)
So, I suppose I'm writing to myself...and if I can, offer it up to you as a way of encouraging you, as well.
I don't know when I read this about the Psalms, but I'll do my best to explain it.
There are a few Psalms in the bible as a form of lamenting. In the Psalm it will tell about a deep grief or sorrow where they address God directly about what it is they are lamenting. And the structure goes this way (taken from Wikipedia..such a great site!):

A Communal Lament essentially consists of five possible parts:^[1]

• The Address - usually directly to God
• The Lament Proper - a description of the occurrences for which the people are requesting assistance or rescue
• National Confession of Trust - a statement showing the nation's belief that God will hear their prayers
• The Petition Proper and Motivation - a usually very specific statement of what the people want God to do
• Vow of Praise - portion of the lament where the people promise to offer thanksgiving once seeing God's intervention

Each time I'm confronted with a major issue in my life, I must confess this is not the process I usually take. Usually I freak out a little or throw a fit, complain, find someone to blame and then after that doesn't work I take charge, dry my tears, get back in the game and try by every means possible to put my big girl undies on by myself. One can only imagine juggling this life like a circus clown and trying to put on big girl undies at the same time. As hard as this life is..and I go and make it harder. 

Little did I know there was already a process that is clearly laid out for me. And it doesn't involve me having to juggle. 

My process = the hard way.  

I am to take it first to God, specifically, and then trust that he hears me and ask him for what I need him to do and at the end, then praise him because I know he will do it. 

I tried that this morning.

I'm struggling with the fears and worries that surround my oldest kiddo. 4th grade is proving to be a little bit harder for him and he's shutting down quicker than we can get our minds around it. 

As I did, my mind went immediately to the story of Abraham and his son Isaac. 

Ever read the story in Genesis of Abraham and his only and beloved son, Isaac? Abraham was given a command to take his one and only son to the top of the mountain and sacrifice him to God. But just before he was about to fulfill that command an Angel of the Lord stopped him. What a strange, strange story! We readers can now recognize it as a foreshadowing of Christ and how God (later) actually does watch his son die on the cross.

My thoughts are not really on this aspect of the story but on what I have heard about the faith of Abraham. Apparently, he wasn't that upset about sacrificing his son.  Why? Because he believed that God was going to raise Isaac from the dead afterwards.

Mind blown..what amazing amount of faith. He didn't have a Torah, or Hebrew bible to call upon, nor did he have a New Testament of Jesus...nor any other story of anyone being raised from the dead. So his faith, is something to be examined.

And here I sit with that though, that this walk, this life is never what it appears to be. Not that we are ever asked to sacrifice our children...although, their behavior can will some pretty good thoughts on that subject!! (Tell it like it is, parents..they drive us nuts!!) And our future my look glum and without any life left in it...but, the mere possibility that there is a resurrection power that can lift our sad little stories, our moments of grieving over our issues and bring things back to life..is indeed crazy.

Unless you read the stories over and over again in the Bible. Every one of them is a story about a loving God who brings life to people of all walks of life, and changes their story of grief into joy. 

I know how hard this life is. I know rejection like a childhood story that has been retold over and over again. And I know how bitterness can taste when watching people have the things that you wish you could have had in your life. 

But, I don't want to live that way. 

So I started this morning by thanking God for what he's doing and what he will do. And I'm trying on a little bit of mind-blowing faith, instead of letting my fears run wild with all the "what-if's". 

I don't know if this is something you needed..but, you aren't alone if you did!

Until next time..!