When Scripture Comes To Life

"Rejoice with those who rejoice, and weep with those who weep." Romans 12:15

A couple of weeks ago as the ladies in my summer Bible study group got together for our weekly meeting, I brought cupcakes to celebrate some one's birthday.  As we had all been bemoaning the need to shed a few pounds, I joked that Scripture did tell us to 'rejoice with those who rejoice' as well as 'mourn with those who mourn'. 

Little did I know at the time just how poignant that Scripture was about to become to me.

Friday before last I was Meagan's chauffeur for the day.  There were several errands that she needed to run.  Knowing that it was going to be a very difficult day for her and I both, I spent some extra time in prayer...and the Lord returned that Scripture reference to my memory.

You see, Friday we went to visit a florist to order the casket spray for Desi's funeral AND to Wal-Mart to order a birthday cake for Davin's party on Sunday.  Our family is trying to learn to live in each moment as the Lord gives them to us.  It is so tempting to just stay in the mourning and the asking of 'why'...but there are joys that we need to make sure we do not overlook too.

So, we celebrated the 4th birthday of our sweet grandson...and we cried a bottle of tears over the grave of our sweet granddaughter. 

We also offered up sincere prayers of thanksgiving for the arrival of a dear friend's new grand baby, realizing now just how precious and fragile those moments really are. 

We are daring to live fully right where we are...in this hard place.  Or as Ann Voskamp calls it in her book One Thousand Gifts, 'eucharisteo' - giving thanks for God's grace gifts...because all is grace!