It has been 6 months since Alethia Joy was born. In so many ways the past six months have felt like years to me, and yet at the same time, it's amazing and hard to believe that our baby would already be 1/2 a year old...what a huge milestone.
Lately, the Lord has brought to my mind the word "truth." In case you didn't already know, the name "Alethia" (pronounced uh-LAY-thee-uh) is actually the Greek word for truth. My husband, being a seminary student and having thoroughly studied Biblical Greek, came up with this name for a daughter before we were even pregnant! Back then, I had no idea what meaning the word "truth" would have at this point in my life, and I also had no clue the impact that my baby girl Alethia, who never even had the chance to breathe the air of this earth, would have on my life today.
The world longs for truth. It is where we find our hope.
A quote I recently read said, "Emotions lie to us and people mislead us, but God's Word speaks the truth we are desperate for, even as we weep with grief. Truth soothes our fears, changes our feelings, and shapes our thoughts."
In reading through Psalm 119, I have found nuggets of truth that I wanted to share with you...the things that have encouraged me and sustained me and reminded me that the Bible (the living, breathing, Word of God) is our source of truth in this dark world.
"...I will not be put to shame, having my eyes fixed on your commandments." (vs. 6)
Living my life according to God's Word is not always an easy thing by any means...but God has promised that when we live like this, we will not be put to shame!
"My soul melts away for sorrow; strengthen me according to your word!" (vs. 28)
I have learned that this is the only place to find strength!
"This is my comfort in my affliction, that your promise gives me life." (vs. 50)
What greater comfort can there be...God keeps His promises to us.
But then, I can definitely relate to the author David when he says this..."My eyes long for Your promise; I ask, 'When will you comfort me?'" (vs. 82) I truly know and believe that God is my source of comfort...but in my humanness, I long to see God's promises being made known to me in a tangible way.
This verse really hit me hard..."It is good for me that I was afflicted, that I might learn your statutes." (vs. 71) Wow.. can I, like David, truly say that it ultimately was good for me to suffer and go through the anguish of losing my babies...in order for me to learn and experience more of God's truth?? Is that how this experience is going to bring God glory? What a challenge to my heart.
And this is the conclusion that I find my hope in, even at this milestone of 6 months without my baby girl:
"If Your law had not been my delight, I would have perished in my affliction." (vs. 92)
"Trouble and anguish have found me out, but your commandments are my delight." (vs. 143)
May I delight in God's truth.
"Jesus said to him, 'I am the way, the truth, and the life.
No one comes to the Father except through me.'"
John 14:6
4 comments:
Incredible post, Charity. And so profound...thanks for sharing.
wow. ditto what Liz said. I am so encouraged by your love of the Word and your ability to see what it means to you personally. How awesome is it that we can find comfort in the infallible Word of God? Thank you for your honesty and willingness to share what you're learning with us. I love your heart. :)
His strength is perfect.
Thank you, Charity. You challenge me whenever I read your posts.
Beautifully said. What an impact your daughter's short life has had on so many. Praying for you guys. I also love that verse you shared about the Lord being near to the broken hearted, what a comfort.
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