Adorable chubby thighs.
Three sweet kids learning how to play together.
A crazy uncle causing many belly laughs.
Constant reminders of “Do not smother your sister!”
Doing the sit . . . lean . . . plop.
An outtake family photo. Now a treasure.
Oh the bliss of innocent joy that would soon turn to sorrow.
This week in Nancy Guthrie’s “One Year Book of Hope“, I pondered this as I read:
To run from suffering is to refuse to see God’s hand at work in the midst of it. To run from suffering is to reject the lessons God has for you in it . . .
While Jesus tells us not to run from suffering, he suggests we do more than simply endure it. He admonishes us to embrace it . . . To embrace suffering is to enjoy God’s presence in your life even when you are filled with questions for him.
To embrace suffering is to enter into a deeper relationship with God that you could not have enjoyed without experiencing penetrating pain. The suffering not only makes you crave such a relationship, it gives you the capacity to savor it. Ultimately, to embrace suffering is to allow your now broken heart to be more easily rebroken by the things that break the heart of God. (p. 210)
Beautiful….
Love the pictures and the touching words.
I needed to read that today.
Hope you are all well. Some days I wish we could all head back up to TN – I need a reunion sometimes with the ones who know 100% what's going on in my head. 😉
I'm with Lindsay…reunion!
That sweet little Annie Jane is just so beautiful. Those precious legs are just one of the best things EVER about a baby–jiggly and wiggly and easy to make giggly!!!
How very bittersweet those pictures must be.
I often say that reading some of Nancy's things really just hurts…mainly, I think, because they hold so much truth and that often hurts so much.
But I am ever grateful for her words. They are hopeful and encouraging and allow me to push myself when I just don't want to sometimes.
Thinking of you…hope you are feeling well!! xoxoxo
I have been sneeking on my computer and looking at these pictures as much as possible since you posted this. I can't get enough. I love you Sarah and I'm praying for you this week and always. I miss you.
Beautiful sarah
AWESOME Sarah! Brought tears to my eyes…I'm sure you treasure those pictures more than ever!
Missing Annie Jane…embracing suffering – two things that must go together these days. Beautiful words and I am grateful to Nancy Guthrie for the way she puts them down for us to grab onto. And Sarah, you have a way, too!
(Thank you for the book!)
Hope your vaca is going great!
Love to all, C.
Dear Sarah,
I really wanted to mention this during our phone conversation but didn't really know how….the other day, Mike, Drew,& I stopped by the cemetary to reminisce about Annie. We all had great memories to recall. Now, today, I peeked at your blog. I should know better, now I sit with tears of happy & sad thoughts overwhelming my brain. I truly admire you. I am happy to call you friend and glad that we can share all of the times life throws at us together. Love you. Michelle
Oh, the pink tutu …
Love this!! The pics bring back precious memories of sweet little Annie Jane…remembering our wonderful cuddle times…I miss her!! Thank you for sharing, Sarah!