In this lifetime if there is one thing for certain it is that we will experience pain and suffering. We try to hide from it, but it always ends up finding us, sooner or later. I wish I had all the answers, but I don’t. What I do know is that our God is a loving God. Surrendering to Him and letting Him lead the way will always be to our benefit. Trusting in Him as he refines us in the fire will result in something beautiful and shining.
This is a poem that I used to have taped into the inside of my bathroom mirror as a daily reminder:
It’s sometimes very difficult
for us to understand
the wisdom and the love
behind the things that God has planned.
But we wouldn’t have the rainbow
If we didn’t have the rain;
We wouldn’t know the pleasure
If we never tasted pain.
We wouldn’t love the sunrise
If we hadn’t felt the night;
And we wouldn’t know our weakness
If we hadn’t sensed God’s might.
We couldn’t have the springtime
or the yellow daffodil
if we hadn’t experienced
the winter’s frosty chill.
And though the brilliant sunshine
is something God has made.
He knew too much could parch our souls
so He created shade.
So God’s given us a balance:
Enough joys to keep us glad,
Enough tears to keep us humble,
Enough good to balance bad.
And if you’ll trust in Him you’ll see
Though yesterday brought sorrow,
The clouds will part and dawn will bring
A happier tomorrow.
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If only I could have seen some of these sweet pictures during some of my darkest moments. Nora is proof of God’s great goodness and His ability to make beauty from ashes.
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal that has come on you to test you, as though something strange were happening to you. But rejoice inasmuch as you participate in the sufferings of Christ, so that you may be overjoyed when his glory is revealed.
(1 Peter 4:12-13 NIV)
iwillcarryyou 
ALEISA, THAT POEM IS BEAUTIFUL. I HAD NEVER SEEN IT UNTIL NOW, BUT IS HAS SO MUCH TRUTH IN EVERY LINE. THANK YOU FOR SHARING IT WITH US. NORA ROSE IS A VERY BEAUTIFUL BABY GIRL, SHE HAS COME A LONG WAYS FROM THE DAY YOU GAVE BIRTH. THERE IS NOT ONE DAY GOES BY THAT I MISS PRAYING FOR NORA AND HER WONDERFUL FAMILY. WHAT A BLESSING SHE HAS BEEN FOR ALL OF US OUT HERE. SHE IS SUCH A HAPPY LITTLE GIRL, AND I CAN TELL BY THE PICTURES THAT YOU GRACIOUSLY SHARE WITH US, THAT SHE IS LOVED BY SO MANY. EVEN THOUGH MOST OF US HAVE NOT BEEN LUCKY ENOUGH TO MEET NORA AND HER FAMILY, WE TOO LOVE ALL OF YOUR FAMILY SO MUCH. I KNOW BY JUST READING WHAT PEOPLE WRITES THAT I CAN SAY THIS FOR A LOT OF PEOPLE. NORA, THROUGH YOU, HAVE BROUGHT PEOPLE ALL OVER THE COUNTRY TOGETHER IN WRITING ON YOUR BLOG EACH DAY, AND PRAYING FOR NORA AND THE FAMILY EVERY DAY. IT IS AMAZING WHAT YOU AND NORA HAS ACCOMPLISHED. GETTING TO SEE THE PICTURES OF SWEET NORA AND THE REST OF HER FAMILY DAILY, IS LIKE A RAY OF SUNSHINE ON A DARK GLOOMY DAY. FOR THIS I REALLY BELIEVE THAT NORA AND THE REST OF THE FAMILY HAS BEEN BLESSED, AND THAT GOD WILL CONTINUE TO BLESS YOU ALL. GOD IS SO WONDERFUL!!! WELL IT IS TIME FOR ME TO GET SOME REST, AND I LOOK FORWARD TO YOUR NEXT BLOG. THANKS AGAIN ALEISA. GOOD NIGHT AND GOD BLESS.
What a wonderful post, Aleisa! Thanks for the reminders of the truly important things! Have a wonderful and blessed day!
Thank you for sharing the beautiful poem. I’m going to share it with my “big” kids who also need to be reminded of God’s love through life’s pain.
I’ve been touched by so many of Nora’s pictures. She looks like she sees so much more than we do, as in seeing the heavenly realm of God’s presence and His angels watching over her.
Blessings to you for sharing your family and this precious gift you all have been given to watch over!
you have no idea how much i needed this today….
Thank you! Your words were EXACTLY what I needed to hear. Many blessing to you & ‘lil Miss!
I needed this poem and Nora’s sweet face today.
Beautiful poem!!! So inspiring!! Praying that the good Lord will have his hand upon you and bring peace into your heart. hope you have a great day. 🙂 thought of you when I read this….. The righteous person is characterized by gentleness &patience, but us constantly challenged &persecuted by the “godless”. Wisdom2:12. 17-20
I know this poem; it is a wonderful reminder of God’s intimate presence in our lives. Re pictures: I am convinced of the constant presence of angels in our lives. When called upon, they are delighted to help or assist us (as God has instructed them to do). Babies and young children have the added advantage of seeing and remembering who they are. They may be entertained by them, they may be saved by them, they may be lifted up by them, but constantly they are loved by them. That sweet baby girl of yours sees them and takes in all they have to give her. One can tell by looking at that sweet face, and into those precious eyes, that her angels remain ever close, singing and praising the Lord in her behalf. May God continue to bless your days…
This really spoke to me today. Pain in the form of heartache surely entered my life this week. God does have a purpose in all of it whether we will ever understand that or not. Thanks for sharing, Alesia! Can’t wait to get over for some more Nora cuddles. I think our gas money situation is slowly getting better.
Look at her beautiful face and her little hair is growing in so nicely! I can’t wait to meet you guys Saturday night! There is nothing better than snuggling with a beauttiful baby!
I LOVE that sweet face! Can’t wait until Saturday!! I have been practicing my lullabies!!