Thursday, February 21, 2008

We're All in This Together

"We always need to be on the lookout for those teachable moments with our children ~ spontaneous lessons that appear in the side yard, the laundry room, and the grocery store. ~ Susan Card



A few weeks ago, we had the joy of hosting some of our dearest friends for a get-together at our home. The mommies (two of my girlfriends) are long-time friends. We watched each other get married and begin our families. We don't get to spend the time together we'd like, but when we are together, it is always a good time. Collectively, we have five children, all fitting in just the right age range to play together and hang out.

Emily and Jamie (the eldest of the bunch) asked if they could watch a video together. They couldn't come to a resolution of which movie to view. The mommies stayed out of it. They talked with (ummm, actually "at") each other until they decided on High School Musical. As I watched them dance and party like rock stars, I got to thinking about one of the theme songs of this modern, kid phenomenon. "We're All in this Together."

And I believe, we really are.

Who would pray for us if we weren't? Who would dry our tears and share our joys? Why would we ever need God if there weren't those unavoidable glitches in life that bring us right to His space and place?

In this world, we need to be in this together. It made me think about this family



I do not know these people. I have never met them, however, their story crossed my path and now I scramble to the computer everyday to check on them, evaluate what direction the prayer should go and rejoice when they have happy news about their darling little girls, especially Ayla as she receives treatment for retinoblastoma. You can read about them here.

Then, there is this family



Nate, a pastor, is the daddy, Tricia, the mommy, is a CF patient and awaiting a critical transplant and the little one not in the picture because she was born very premature is Gwenyth. I pray for this family daily, not because I would pretend to know them, but because for reasons only God knows, He brought it to my attention, they need prayer. I would encourage you to stop here and pray if you feel led or at least leave them some encouragement as they walk this road.

Somehow the enormity of the world seems less and more attainable with each person we gather into our fold. My hope is that I will teach my children about extending themselves, praying for others, serving God and the world because we need to be ultimately aware, we are all in this together.

This thankful Thursday, I am thankful for good friends, for their joys and their children. I am thankful for prayer, and for God's design in uniting us, especially in the world we live in today. I am thankful for blogging and the friends I have made that I never would have known. I am thankful that I have a forum to present prayer concerns and know that somewhere one more person will lift those I have mentioned just because they could. I am thankful that every morning when we get to a particular landmark on the way to Emily's school that Hannah shouts out gleefully, "Mommy, PRAY!" and she bows her pretty little head and folds those adorable fingers, keeping her eyes closed tight until Emily or I finish with "Amen".

We are all in this together...

23 comments:

mommy24treasures said...

what a beautiful heartfelt post. Thank you so much for inspiring me on Thursdays. I have said it before but it is worth saying again. I see Jesus in you, you are beautiful.
Love
Connie

Kate said...

Beautiful post from a beautiful person.

Kate

Don and Lisa Osborn said...

Heather~

So much to say, yet the words are so inadequate.

You make this world a better place and I am so thankful we are in this together--even if it is thousands of miles apart.

Love you dear,
Lisa

MacMui Mom said...

This really touched me. Thank you for sharing the stories of those two other families, so I can add my prayers too! You're the best!

Angie said...

Such a beautiful post, Heather, as always. Your words are always so calming and inspiring. Thank you. I, too, am happy to be in this together with you.
Praying daily for Ayla, Tricia, Nate and baby Gwyneth....

Sheri said...

Oh my, Heather. You are such an inspiration to me! You are a true testament to God's love by praying for so many others, many that you don't even know. Thanks for sharing about these families that we can now pray for also. Your precious daughters are so very blessed to have you as their mommy!

John & Michelle said...

Thank You so much for adding these special families to your blog! Lifting others in prayer is so easy and feels so good! So glad to have "met" you!
Michelle

Jake and Taryn said...

I will certainly be praying for both of these families. I check in on little Ayla and pray for her daily. God Bless both of those families.

I love this post and I think we all get so caught up in our own lives sometimes that we forget about those that are going through so much worse. I know that both of these families are certainly in God's hands and I know he has great plans for both of them! I will certainly be lifting them up.

Ohilda said...

AMEN!! That was a beautiful!

Leslie said...

Heather, you are just like everyone's big sister, you look out for all of us and just knowing that you are in our corner gives us a sense of peace. You always have just the right words to say, and your faith is amazing. I admire you so very much and just love you for caring so much about others.
I love the playdate with good friends!

Denise C said...

Hi Heather! SO happy to meet you!!! You are so precious! I just love your beautiful heart! Thanks for visiting me, for your very kind comments... and introducing yourself!!! I am so anxious to "get to know" you better through your blog!
I'd like to add you to my list of "Blogs I love" if that would be OK???
Have a wonderful Saturday with your family! (They are just beautiful!!)
Sweet Blessings!

Jodee said...

Love your Thankful Thursday post. I have been following Nate and Tricia's story for a while now and they are truly amazing!

Christy said...

I am always so touched by your posts. As COnnie mentioned, I too see Jesus in you!!

Christy :)

redmaryjanes said...

BEAUTIFUL. I believe in this so strongly and I have seen prayers answered and miracles happen. We are all in this together and we can impact each others lives in a very postitive way if we take the time to care.

Sibi said...

You are your family are so special..
it is rare that you can feel
the Fathers' heart from a computer
screen. You have such a beautiful
heart!! What a blessing to come
across your blog.

May God continue to pour out...

3 Peanuts said...

Beautiful! I am praying for thsoe families too.

Kim

Ashley Winters said...

What a beautiful, thoughtful post!

Adele said...

Thank you so much for letting me know the prayer needs for these two families. I will certainly be praying for them. I was so touched by this post because it is so true. We really are in this together. As Christians, we are to be joyful when others are joyful and weep when they weep. I don't know what I would do without prayer. God is so good and He wants us to bear one anothers burdens. Thanks for posting this. It is a reminder to all of us that we need to pray for each other.

Dawn said...

Beautiful!! I too, have been praying for these families.

kerri said...

What a beautiful post, thank you for sharing these wonderful families.
We will keep them in our prayers.
Thank you for stopping by my site. :O)

DiJo said...

Hi Heather!
I am so grateful that God led me here tonight! (Even if it is a Thankful Thursday week late!)

It is such a blessing to have met you because of our adoption journeys!

Love,
Diana

2China4Ayla said...

I do not even know what to write as my tears run down my face this morning. Rarely am I at a loss for words. Thank you. For your words, your prayers, rallying others to pray, & for bringing attention to this other precious family for prayer. I will be praying for them.

Beth said...

I can't add anything that hasn't already been written here. You're an incredible woman who is able to covey awesome messages and words of encouragement in just a few short paragraphs. It is quite obvious that God is working through you and you seem to be answering His call with exuberance. God bless you!

Beth

Music


 
© Welcome to Our Little Ladybugs!
CoffeeShop Designs