Friday, November 28, 2008

Joyful in all things

Yesterday, I wrote about my Thanksgiving Day and how disappointed I was that my mom didn't feel well enough to make it. She didn't come but she sent her specialty food items so we wouldn't be without them. It made me so sad, but at the same time it made me so thankful.

God says we are to be joyful in all things. That is tough, especially when you don't understand why things happen the way they do. But God also wants us to trust Him even when we don't understand...especially when we don't understand.

Today I received the saddest news I think I could have ever received. The daughter of one of my friends died last night. She was only 12 years old. Her life has been a series of trials, battles, and uncertainties. This little girl, however, did not lose her joy. She was absolutely amazing. I want to be like her when I grow up! Her name is Alexa. Alexa Rohrbach. Please pray for her family. It's going to be very hard for them. When I think of "joy in all things", I think of Alexa. The Source of joy, peace, comfort, and love brought her home to be with Him. She is totally healed...walking, running even, singing, and dancing with the King of Kings. That's the one thing that brings me joy in all of this. I know her parents, Robin and Chris...and her sister, Jenna feel that way too. The Lord has carried them every day and I know He won't stop now. I know they are happy that Alexa is with the Lord, but I also know their hearts are shattered and their lives feel incomplete right now. I cannot even imagine.

Are you able to be joyful in all things? Not because you are happy with your life, but just because you trust God? That is my personal goal right now. To trust God with the plans and find joy in all things....and give thanks for it.

Hug the ones you are with today. Share your love and find the joy.

Love,

Melissa

4 comments:

Joyful said...

"...in Thy presence is fulness of joy..." Psalm 16:11

Praying for your friends, but also rejoicing in knowing that little Alexa has now seen her joy become complete as she is with Jesus.

Love & hugs
Joy

Chef Diane said...

Melissa,
I am saddened to hear of the loss of this young life. I cannot imagine the loss of one of my children. I am reminded of what the Chapman family said when they loss their daughter. She said "as a mother I hurt to hold my little girl, but I know she is whole and at peace with Jesus. We are grieving with hope". I found comfort in this with my own loss.
Hugs to you and to them,
Diane

Pam said...

I am so sorry to hear about Alexa! We met Alexa and her family at CHOA-CIRU after she had gone to St. Louis. My daughter Alex had spinal fusion surgery at Egleston, and was at Scottish Rite CIRU and Day Rehab with Alexa. My daughter Alex ended up with further complications, and ended up having surgery in St. Louis in March 2008 - my Alex would not being where she is today if we had not met Alexa and her family! If you can, please pass along my condolences to the family.
Take care,

Pam Porter
r.porter@mindspring.com

Anonymous said...

God is Joy.

My body is the temple of the living God and God is in his Temple.

Within us lives the Living God. In the temple of God there is no sorrow, no sickness, no suffering.

God is joy, abundance, love and eternal life. With the passing of our bodies is not the passing of our life.

Jesus and those of his time knew life was eternal. Though priests edited out passages in Bible that inferred with their desire for earthly power, traces remain.

He asked his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?"
"Some say he is John the Baptist" they answered. "Some say he is Elijah, while others say he is Jeremiah or some other prophet."
Matthew 16:13-14

Here they speak of reincarnation - common knowledge of the time. Your young friend did not die and so sorrow has no place in Gods home.

Blessings and joy to you!