Josiah's Adventure

At the Guthrie Rodeo, April 20 2007

Today, the 23rd marks three months Joel has been in eternity with his heavenly Father. God's grace has been good. As we go through each month and face the many firsts without Joel, it is still a sorrow ever so deep. The first family picture, (the one we posted), the first Easter, and the soon to be attended home school conference that we attend each year, all these events without his bodily presence. It is so trying of spritual exercise to stay upon the truth and keep the eye of faith towards eternity. That is where the true rest and peace are afforded to my soul.

I read a devotional this morning and here is a portion of my reading:

As for the true Christian, he expects to have his reward in the next life, and to endure hardness in this. The promise of the old covenant was prosperity, but the promise of the new covenant is adversity. Remember Christ's words- "Every branch in Me that beareth not fruit He taketh away, and every branch that beareth fruit"- What? "He purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit." If you bring forth fruit, you will have to endure affliction. "Alas!" you say, "that is a terrible prospect." But this affiction works out such precious results, that the Christian who is the subject of it must learn to rejoice in tribulations, because as his tribulations abound, so his consolations abound by Christ Jesus. Rest assured, if you are a child of God, you will be no stranger to the rod. Sooner or later every bar of gold must pass through the fire. Fear not, but rather rejoice that such fruitful times are in store for you, for in them you will be weaned from earth and made meet for heaven; you will be delivered from clinging to the present, and made to long for those eternal things which are so soon to be revealed to you. When you feel that as regards the present you do serve God for nought, you will then rejoice in the infinite reward of the future. Doth Job fear God for nought? Job 1:9 (taken from Spurgeons Morning and Evening page 45).

Trials, afflictions and difficulties are really a part of God's plan for us. Oh how the enemy likes to turn our thinking upside down and tells us lies that since we are serving God and seeking to do his will we shouldn't have all of these adversities. Then if we linger long on those thoughts our fleshly minds can get grieved at God for the plans he is disposing to us. The scripture in John 15:2 that speaks of being purged so that more fruit can come forth, blessed me. It's just all about eternity and God's kingdom. We all tend to think so much of this earthly life. It's so short even if the Lord grants 50, 60, or 70 years. I'm so glad there is no time in eternity. When I do get there, and only the Lord knows when, Joel will not have waited all these earthly years to see his mommy again.

This weekend our family went to a farm show at the state fairgrounds. They had a display of cattle equipment, tractors and much more. A fun time of being together. As we went in the last building, Terry had stopped to talk to a man at a booth. Soon we turned and went out of the building. After we had walked a short way Terry looked around and said where is "Siah?" He was not with us! Terry and the older ones ran back into the building going first back to the booth we had been at. I stood at the entrance (there were three ways to go in). I was praying and begging the Lord for his mercy to keep Josiah safe and allow us to find him. I saw the boys walking swiftly through the isles, and I wanted to scream out that my child is missing, but I guess the Lord gave me grace to just pray. The enemy was already asailing my mind with horror, I was pleading with the Lord, you have Joel, please let us have Josiah! The time seemed long, but soon Bethany came over and said dad had found him. The story goes that after we left, the man at the booth saw Josiah standing and watching this man next to his booth do some cooking, Josiah soon turned around and started looking around for us. This kind man went over to Josiah and told him he would help him find his dad. He then took him across the whole building to a booth that was like the office. once Terry made it all the way to the other end he saw Josiah standing there! Terry thanked the man and of course picked him up and hugged him. Josiah wasn't crying and didn't seem go be afraid. I thought when we entered the building we might hear crying to know which way to go but we didn't! I later asked Siah where dad went and he simply said "to the bathroom!" And then I asked him what did the man say and he said calmly " he would help me find my dad!" Having a child die is the greatest sinking of a heart, but this would be the next on the list of utter heart despair. When we all got together I didn't want to let go of him! Oh the mercy of the Lord is great. Josiah a precious blessing times two now!!

A precious family that we know is experiencing the fellowship of Christ's suffering. This dear wife and mother of eight children has had a relapse of cancer. After a week in the hospital and the cancer spreading so rapidly they have decided to take her home. They are still praying and beseeching God's mercy for healing. Would you go before the throne and pray for this dear sister? She is one of the most Godly women that I know. Her spirit is strong even though her flesh is weak. She has a song in her heart! What a tremdous testimony of devotion to our great God! Her name is Debbie and they have a blog, debbieshealthupdate.blogspot.com

The DVD is still under construction. I should have never put a time frame on it, so forgive me for that. It is going to be a wonderful blessing to all of us! We watched an unfinished clip and it was so touching to our hearts! Pray for these young men as they give their skills and energy to this task, that the Lord will use it in a mighty way for His Kingdom.

Thank you for all the encouraging words, and the continued prayers! Our family is grateful! May the Lord bless your homes and abound his grace and power in your lives.

The pictures of Joel and Josiah were around this time last year and thanks to Vicki Savory for the shot of us at the rodeo!

~Cindy