Unsure how to pray? Try this...

This morning I was reading the book of Ephesians and I came across these incredible verses. If you want to pray for Todd and Kate (or anybody you know, really!), but are unsure how to, start with this!

Ephesians 3:14 - 19

When I think of all this, I fall to my knees and pray to the Father, the Creator of everything in Heaven and on earth. I pray that from his glorious, unlimited resources he will empower you with inner strength through his Spirit. Then Christ will make his home in your hearts as you trust in him. Your roots will grow down into God's love and keep you strong. And may you have the power to understand, as all God's people should, how wide, how long, how high, and how deep his love is. May you experience the love of Christ, though it is too great to understand fully. Then you will be made complete with all the fullness of life and power that comes from God.

I am encouraged by the book of Job in the Bible, as he lost everything but after he was restored, still lived a long, full life, it says. After such great loss, is it really possible to be restored and then live a life that is considered long and full? Evidently so. I would encourage you to read Job chapters 1, 2 and 42 to see this. (You can find it right before the book of Psalms).

God's Blessings to you all this Christmas week!

The Silversmith

PSALM 66:10,12: "You have tested us, O God. You have purified us like silver... We went through fire and flood, but you brought us to a place of great abundance."

Malachi 3: 2-3 says that the Lord is like a blazing fire that refines metal. He will sit like a refiner of silver, watching closely as the dross is burned away.

The story goes that once there was a woman who, after reading that passage in the Bible, wanted to find out exactly what a silversmith does. So she took herself down to his shop to watch him work. He bent closely over the silver, as he held it in the fire. As that silver endured the heat and pressure, it's impurities rose to the surface. The silversmith scraped away the dross, layer by layer, as it rose. As this happened, the silver became purer by the moment. The lady then asked him why he watched the silver so closely. He replied that he must watch it closely, for even a few seconds too long in the fire and the silver would be injured. The lady asked how he knew the silver was refined - and he replied "That's easy. It's done when I see my image in it."

How much like this, is our suffering? During the hottest, most intense pressure of our lives, our ugliness rises to the surface, doesn't it? I have seen this come from my own heart during the "heat."

But what struck me the most about this story is the silversmith's wisdom in knowing exactly how long the silver should be refined. Sometimes we don't think we can bear any more. But we can rest assured that God is watching us closely - He will not allow the suffering for one moment longer than necessary. He will lift the burden when He can see His image in us. 

Sometimes when I talk to my sister and brother-in-law, I fall to my knees BEGGING God to relieve their suffering. I am so afraid they hurt too much. I am so afraid they will be injured or destroyed, like the silver if left too long in the fire. This has been a struggle of mine lately. I have even gone so far as to dream up ways for ME to relieve their suffering a little (I guess it's a good thing I don't have a million dollars to send them on a  vacation?!?!) But this morning when I heard this story, peace washed over my soul when I realized that God is watching them far more closely than I ever could. In his wisdom, he knows what he is doing. He is the master silversmith and we are his precious silver. God loves Todd and Kate more than I ever could. He is far wiser than I will ever be. And believe it or not, I trust Jesus more than I did before all of this happened. (It does not mean I understand better, however :)).

I know that one day, our family will look back on this time and see it more clearly for what it is. Not that we will ever stop missing Enzo and longing for his chubby embrace - but after speaking with others in my life who have lost a child, I know that someday the sun will shine a little brighter in our lives. Our perspective will be a little clearer, the pain won't be so crippling. I choose to trust the Master Silversmith, even when the fire hurts.

Update

Hello dear loved ones! I truly apologize for going over a month with no new posts. I would like to have a better reason for this, but I will just tell you the truth (perhaps I should have created a few posts that said "Nothing to say!").

The secret behind my (Melissa's) writing is God. He usually inspires me with something to say and I say it. But ever since November 4, the last post, I have been inspired with nothing. I have logged on to this blog many times to update and had.... nothing. I've asked for words and had.... nothing. I've had brief glimpses of thoughts and they have disappeared before I could write them. But suddenly over the last couple of days, I feel the floodgates have opened yet again and I hope to be able to post more faithfully. Truthfully, I believe the Lord was behind this "silent" time. I don't know the reason, but He is the master and controller of my thoughts, words and posts. So I will trust Him in that.

First, an update on the family. Life is moving on, but Todd and Kate are not. The world keeps turning and it's a little infuriating!!! It would seem appropriate to declare holiday for the entire world to just stop! I believe that any person in grief feels this way. Life has become harder for Zo's parents. It is truly a dark, dark valley they are walking right now. Please continue your prayers for them - pray that they would find comfort in God's love, that their marriage would be strong (there is hardly any greater strain on a marriage than the death of a child), and that they would have HOPE, light at the end of the tunnel. Pray that God would breathe new life into them.

While up in Breckenridge, Colorado over Thanksgiving week, I walked into a Christmas store and saw these beautiful ornaments. (Of course it also began the waterworks right in the middle of the store). I purchased five of them - one for each sister's family and my parents. Ours is hanging front and center on our tree this year. I look at it every day and thank Jesus that he gave Enzo to us for six months. In the midst of my tears, I thank God that Enzo will never again experience the pain of this life here on earth - that he is in a perfect place, experiencing life as it was meant to be lived. Jesus, tell Enzo we miss him and cannot wait to see him again.

I have more to write, so stay tuned. Meanwhile, here is a great song I dedicate to Todd and Kate, in their valley of the shadow of death. It's called "Forgive Me," by Group 1 Crew (a fabulous music group): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WdMo0rOt2Kk. ENJOY!