Isaiah 65:17-20

Good evening!

Isaiah 65:17-20: "For I will create a new heaven and a new earth; the past events will not be remembered or come to mind.  Then be glad and rejoice forever in what I am creating; for I will create Jerusalem to be a joy, and its people to be a delight.  I will rejoice in Jerusalem and be glad in My people.  The sound of weeping and crying will no longer be heard in her.  In her, a nursing infant will no longer live only a few days, or an old man not live out his days."

Oh my heart is heavy today.  I follow a photographer who lives in Hawaii and I've always loved her work on her blog.  She helps other photographers and gives tutorials on different subjects.  She's always been a help to me, even though I don't know her personally.  She has 3 beautiful boys and she became pregnant again last year with another boy!  His name was Gavin and he was born healthy and sweet and I enjoyed seeing pictures of him.  And then, around Christmas time, he was put in the hospital.  He contracted RSV and then Pertussis.  He was very sick and was getting worse.  He was beginning to suffer and yet I still really believed he would recover.  He would get well.  He would go home.  He would grow up and rough house with his brothers.  He would be their sweet baby boy and be spoiled.

Never did I expect to read this.  Please join me in praying for this family as they face their worst fears and live their worst nightmare.  Their lives will never be the same. 

My prayer is that Gavin's short life will live longer than any one dreamed possible.  I pray he can help other women be more aware and educated about illnesses, vaccinations and medical care for their children.  I pray he will help all of us to cherish our children even more, realizing that life is short.  You never know what tomorrow will bring.  It could bring life...it could bring death. 

But rejoice!  One day, there will be a new heaven and a new earth.  One day, rejoicing will be heard when there once was crying.  The worst pain imaginable of losing a sweet little baby will not be able to be found.  Babies will grow to be men who live out their days as they were meant to.  Oh Lord come quickly!

So while you are praying for this family, trust what God says in verse 24 of the same chapter.  "Even before they call, I will answer; while they are still speaking, I will hear."  He knows what this family needs and will answer even before they call out to Him.  And while they cry out to Him to help them survive this tragedy, He will hear them and be everything they need Him to be. 

Sending you love and praying for peace that passes all understanding Natalie.  God be with you and your family.  Gavin is with his Savior; he is loved...he is whole...he is perfect. 

Psalm 118:24

Good morning!

Psalm 118:24: This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.


I have two more weeks left with my babies before I have to put them in daycare and go back to work full time. As I was praying this morning, I asked God to let me savor every minute I have with them, good and bad. Everything is about to change and our lives will be so different. I was rambling on and then the Lord brought this Scripture in my head. I repeated it out loud and instantly I was at peace. Instead of worrying about how everything will work out and how different our lives will be in the future, I need to focus on today! This is the day the Lord has made...He brought this day about and is giving me two more weeks of time alone with my babies. I will rejoice and be glad and make the most out of this time I get to spend with them.

But this is a good Scripture to hold onto for any day that you are facing. Whether it be eventful or humdrum. Take every day that you are given as a gift and be joyful and glad in it. Start every day with a spring in your step and a cheerful voice. I am thankful I have a few more days with my children. What are you thankful for this morning? Tell the Lord and then rejoice and be glad in this day He has made!

Philippians 4:4-5

Good morning!

Philippians 4:4-5: Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near.


I used to read this as just a bunch of sentences jumbled together just because. But now that I read it again this morning, it flows differently for me and I understand it better. I don't believe the Spirit of God inspired Paul to just throw some random sentences down on the page together. I believe it was meant for a reason that these short sentences are grouped together.

The word rejoice means to feel joy or great delight. When I think of the Lord and everything that He means to me, I begin to feel joy in my heart and I delight in Him! But I think Paul is saying...don't just stop there! Keep going...keep rejoicing! Rejoice again in Him and the more you do, the more your heart softens and your countenance changes. Gentleness oozes out of you...you just can't help it! Soon, everyone will start to see your mild temper and soft speech. It will be soothing to them and I believe that joy that you feel in your heart will be visible to all too. And then, most importantly, after you have delighted in Him and rejoiced and your whole day has changed and is sunnier and brighter...He is there with you. He is near, you can feel Him. It feels as if you can reach out and touch Him. The feeling is overwhelming and it makes you want to rejoice all over again!

So if you haven't guessed what my advice for you this weekend is yet, it's rejoice in the Lord always! And again I say...REJOICE!

Have a wonderful weekend everyone!