I sit and rock my baby girl. She coos and looks up at me and I’m her whole word. I wrap arms around her and right there in my embrace is everything that is fragile and strong and beautiful about being alive. The tenderness and the courage of being connected.
And it’s me hugging Zoe like I wish I could hug my little brother, my sister-in-law.
How I would wrap blankets and love and warm milk around them if I could. How I would wipe away tears and the bad news that even oceans can’t prevent from arriving.
We’re broken. Always and everything here in this world constrained by time and distance and sin. We’re broken and waiting and wondering when we will feel put back together again. Until then we cry together and rock our babies and remember that right here in this small house and overgrown yard, right here in this kitchen with its never empty dishwasher, right here in this bedroom with its bunk bed and the boys that never go to sleep on time and the man who always tucks them back in. Right here is how the fixing starts.
Right here with these two hands.
We glue each other together because that is what we have. No matter how empty our everything else, Christ has given us rich helpings of Himself. And with that we cement each other back together. He is the cornerstone, the glue, the grace and the promise.
And He lives here in the nooks and crannies of my every day life. When I hang up the phone I look around and I see Him everywhere. I see Him in the sun streaming across the changing table and the stray rescue heroes I tripped over last night and the baby girl curled up in a living testimony of trust, right here against my chest.
I live because Christ lives in me.
Not because I have the house or the car I want. Not because my kids behave or obey me in public. Not because I remembered to defrost the meat for dinner. Not because I have the job I wanted or the computer that’s finally fixed and connected to the Internet again.
I live because Christ lives in me.
Even when my body no longer lives.
When cancer or speeding drivers steal that from us, we live still. Because we are tucked into the crook of His heart and we live in Christ.
And Christ always lives.
“Death has been swallowed up in victory.”
“Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?”The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Therefore, my dear brother [and sister, ]stand firm. Let nothing move you. Always give yourselves fully to the work of the Lord, because you know that your labor in the Lord is not in vain.
1 Corn 15:55-58.
sigh. beautiful. sometimes it’s so easy to lose focus and to get busy asking questions and wondering rather than living in the wonder of the simple fact of being “alive” in Him.
Yes. and amen. Living not because of stuff or even for the stuff but only because He lives in us.
Sweet girl,I don’t know what is going on, but I will pray…and your words are a balm to my heart after the recent tornados
You said it so well. I don’t know what your ache is, but I do know that He knows what you need and He will hold you and walk with you as you travel along this path. You are in my prayers today as well.
Yes, soothing words that are balm to the sorrowful soul. HE is the healing balm. Thank you for this post.
Perfect. As always. You may be broken (no ‘may be’ about it, right?) but you sure as shootin’ can WRITE. You’ve captured the human dilemma in all its wonder and worry, its power and puniness, its compassion and cruelty. Yes, we live – because Jesus lives in us. Just plain lovely.
Thanks, Lisa-Jo, for comforting, healing words of truth.
Even when I’m just. so. tired.
Even then, He’s got ahold of me.
Beautiful truth put in a beautiful, tangible way!
Continuing to hold you and your family close. Love you.
There’s something about holding our sweet little bundles in our arms that brings comfort. Perhaps because they are so innocently unaware of our troubles. Perhaps because our own bursting hearts remind us of how God feels about us. Of how He feels about you.
Prayers and blessings for you and your sweet family~ xx
this was so refreshing in the midst of all the craziness going on right now and always. absolutely beautiful post.
Some days I just want to curl up and take in your words like a deep breath all day long, being still, being reminded of truth. Thank you.
Praying for you and your family, Lisa-Jo!
Lisa-Jo, this post, your words tugged my heart strings. Please know that I am praying for you and your family for whatever it is that is going on; or has happened. He knows and is right smack in the middle of it!!
I’m so sorry they are hurting…and for the way a sister’s heart must hurt along side.
Thankful for the way your words whisper hope from Him.
Loved your thoughts today. I enjoy your writings and they give me thoughts to ponder. I have worked very hard over the years to have a Christ Centered Home and feel so blessed that my children with their childrn are doing the same thing. I do know that Christ walks beside me in my good an bad moments of life.
Blessings to yo!
Your writing encourages me to think beyond my box, but still be so grateful for what Christ has given me in my ‘box’ to deal with – with him guiding me through it.
What a wonderful post! How completely true – all because Christ lives in me! Absolutely beautiful post! Thanks!
Beautiful words, Lisa-Jo. I will pray for your family. Christ lives and will continue to live, even when we don’t have the strength on our own. I’m sure your brother feels blessed to have a sister like you to share Christ’s love with him during this struggle.