She was bleeding for 12 years, twelve years! I imagine a thin, frail, deathly pale woman, afraid to go out of her house. And when she did go out, she hid in the shadows for fear of being seen, mocked and called an outcast. Did she lament ‘normal’ life, desperately longing to be loved, touched and acknowledged rather than rejected? Did she have any hope of healing or were bitterness and solitude welcomed as her constant companion? While hiding in the shadows, she heard the rumors about “this Jesus” character who was supposedly healing people. I imagine a giddy sort of giggle that erupted in her soul as she allowed her heart to indulge in the hope of healing. As the crowd was deterring her from reaching Him, her lament was deep. And yet as she crawled slowly forward, attempting to stay hidden, straining and reaching out to touch just the hem of his garment, there was hope.
We've had a season with a lot of lamenting in the Hoover House, maybe you have too? Lament is a passionate expression of grief or sorrow and generally comes from loss. As we long to be where 'they' are, we lament what leaving CR might feel like. Remembering our youthful health, we lament the aging of our physical bodies. Celebrating the flight of our Mighty Men into adulthood, we lament wanting to hold them close a bit longer. Maturing into the sandwich generation, we lament the change of health in parental figures. And quite honestly, we are lamenting this season of change.
Father in His goodness has gently been reminding me that lament is part of life ... but so is hope! Lament is real and tangible, and we feel its effects on our physical body. It's ok to be sad, distraught, lost in thought, and longing for sunshine in our soul ... but those should not consume us. As I've pondered Lamentations 3:20-25 and what it means to have hope even in lament, I can't ignore the lament, but I can shift my focus. "Soul, it's time to reflect on His mercies and compassion that are new for you today!" Not just on good days when life seems hopeful, but also on 'lamentful' days when I want to hide in the shadows. Hopeful lament ... As she strained toward Jesus, obstacles enveloped her attempting to deepen her lament and dash her hope. However, these obstacles made her strain all the more with hope of reaching her Healer! In that moment of surprise when she touched Him, (I imagine her expression similar to the one above), her healing was instant, immediate.
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| A special coke just for him! ... |
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| Launching Jedidiah party ... An afternoon of jumping followed by an evening surrounded by friends who feel like family! |
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| These dear ones have shaped and molded Jedidiah for the past 8 years ... Truly God's gift to us! |
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| Tradition! It's not Easter if we don't make peanut butter and coconut cream eggs!  We finally were able to see this "long, slow walk to the cross."   Those who know him are not surprised that he chose the same meal and same restaurant once again!   Teaching at AMCA about "getting out of your comfort zone"! |
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| So many layers of goodbyes with this one ... One more hug, good-bye, Pops, Cosechas, AMCA, 12/21, hangout with friends ... finally his room was cleaned out, the last hugs given and it was time to launch. Tears were not in short supply!  Micah and Adam sent him off from CR ... and ... Joseph was waiting on the other end to receive him!  Enjoying the view of Lancaster Co. life ... Yet this I call to mind and therefore I have hope: Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. His mercies are new every morning; great is His faithfulness. Lamentations 3:21-23 |
