tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105171804337429232.post773948958544370272..comments2024-03-26T00:28:34.885-07:00Comments on Just following Jesus in my real life...: When you're surrounded by suffering...elizabethhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06572872315082254364noreply@blogger.comBlogger10125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105171804337429232.post-37168345552123108762012-10-15T20:14:26.656-07:002012-10-15T20:14:26.656-07:00oh friend. this is something i've struggled wi...oh friend. this is something i've struggled with too. i guess sometimes i feel like i'm being more "devout" when i'm sad, but perhaps it's the other way around? it takes more faith to have joy?Mommy Emilyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09989213786947802537noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105171804337429232.post-24961845363587382352012-10-14T05:51:24.389-07:002012-10-14T05:51:24.389-07:00Hello, I came to your blog via 'Our Story Toge...Hello, I came to your blog via 'Our Story Together' and it was so good reading this post today. I work in what I guess would be best described as Social Work with multiproblem families (I live in The Netherlands) and lately I've been feeling overwhelmed. By children who grow up in bad circumstances, parents for whom it is so hard to make the changes they want and need to make... It is hard for me to enjoy my time with my fiance and friends, relaxing and be happy during the weekend while those problems are not ALL solved. So thank you for your post and the message about 'planting the flowers'... Praying that God will help me do my part when and where I can. Have a blessed Sunday!Agneshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11934658678756999553noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105171804337429232.post-90332990452035437122012-10-11T08:53:34.772-07:002012-10-11T08:53:34.772-07:00Oh that wild understand of how joy & trials co...Oh that wild understand of how joy & trials could possibly mix! Yet they dance, nevertheless. Together. And when we know this, we don't run away from, but toward our difficulties. Knowing this is where His grace is. This place our weakness meets His strength. And it is there...we find joy in suffering. Despite what the world tells us. <br /><br />Beautiful post my friend.Jenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14358082469481452041noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105171804337429232.post-46219086092313427392012-10-11T07:50:40.487-07:002012-10-11T07:50:40.487-07:00I like your point. I do believe that it is fine to...I like your point. I do believe that it is fine to be happy and I believe that God delights in us enjoying his goodness just like we like to see our kids happy with our gifts to them. If we were sad all the time who would desire to be a Christian if we were always sad. When others see God blessing us and the joy that we have they will more likely want to share in Gods love. We can be happy and help others and you made the point in a beautiful way.shirlgirlhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10993276645968200257noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105171804337429232.post-91947933282475831362012-10-10T21:33:50.806-07:002012-10-10T21:33:50.806-07:00A lot of people put down the Polly-annishness of r...A lot of people put down the Polly-annishness of reacting to our circumstances... I first saw that movie as a young child and it was life changing. I have come to believe, when things aren't working out just as I thought was best, that perhaps God's better plan has to go this route. And then I just believe Him to work it out, and for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven...<br />and this is one of the secrets... by noticing the beauty in the midst of the mess,<br /> I'm "planting flowers" in the middle of poverty,<br />This has been my goal since I was six and the joy it brings is inmeasureable!<br />a wonderful post!thefisherladyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/08543904049543546170noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105171804337429232.post-16209554698593202972012-10-10T18:39:58.435-07:002012-10-10T18:39:58.435-07:00Wow, good blog. Our guilt doesn't always help...Wow, good blog. Our guilt doesn't always help them, but those experiences sure help us, because in our comfort we can tend to whine too much, and take it for granted everything God gives to us. And those experiences don't leave us. In the right time we can do our part to help them even just a little bit.Joshhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/09953097825368131379noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105171804337429232.post-60599680248847417082012-10-10T15:53:14.294-07:002012-10-10T15:53:14.294-07:00I have felt like what you describe...the guilt, th...I have felt like what you describe...the guilt, then remembering as Ann writes so beautifully in her book, to give thanks...you and I were on a similar path with our posts today...blessings, Elizabeth :)Dolly @Soulstopshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17943244655225413814noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105171804337429232.post-54396435345077054952012-10-10T14:01:07.092-07:002012-10-10T14:01:07.092-07:00A good reminder that we are to be lights in the pl...A good reminder that we are to be lights in the place God has put us. Sometimes it's the smallest outpouring of love that can speak the loudest.<br />Thanks, Elizabeth!<br />Mary Alicechateau chichttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11861535167732654354noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105171804337429232.post-67554962903069510932012-10-10T12:59:49.218-07:002012-10-10T12:59:49.218-07:00I just wanted you to know that what you are saying...I just wanted you to know that what you are saying really helps and comforts me. Thank YouSweet Peashttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16448630189859122399noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-1105171804337429232.post-60092989363223842532012-10-10T11:53:53.722-07:002012-10-10T11:53:53.722-07:00Beautiful blog! I'm stopping by from "Get...Beautiful blog! I'm stopping by from "Getting Down With Jesus!" Nice to meet you new friend!Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com