Life Is Not A Photograph

 

Life is not a photograph. Life is video and it's lived one frame at a time.

Eleven days ago my daughter almost died. Preeclampsia and HELLP Syndrome almost killed her and her unborn daughter. But that was eleven days ago. The story of her life was not to be told in just one day. Her story continued. Day-by-day she adds to the story of her life. Frame-by-frame I'm watching her story give God glory. 

Sheila and I were privileged to take Angela to Memorial's NICU today. We're inspired by her courageous devotion. She's exhausted and she's fighting hard to care for Lydia as she continues her own recovery. She's a remarkable woman, married to a remarkable man.

Day-by-day we write the stories of our lives. Forget that and you might despair. Remember it and you'll be delivered from the tyranny of the moment and liberated for a life of joyful expectation. Remembering - in terrible times - "this too shall pass," brings perspective to your problems. Sure, life is hard, then you die, but that doesn't mean life doesn't have purpose or your life lacks significance. The weight of these momentary trials is unable to crush those who know the hope of God's coming Kingdom. We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; struck down, but not destroyed. 

God said, "Let light shine out of darkness." Whether hardship comes to us one at a time, or the earth quakes under millions, we know the One who raised the Lord Jesus from the dead will one day wipe every tear from our eyes and make all things new. 

Don't despair. 

2 Corinthians 4:16-18  -  So we're not giving up. How could we! Even though on the outside it often looks like things are falling apart on us, on the inside, where God is making new life, not a day goes by without his unfolding grace. These hard times are small potatoes compared to the coming good times, the lavish celebration prepared for us. There's far more here than meets the eye. The things we see now are here today, gone tomorrow. But the things we can't see now will last forever.

Comments

[Brittney]

I've never been to GCC but know a lot of people who go regularly and I would like to make it there sometime soon myself! A friend of mine referred me to your blog tonight though, telling me about Angela and Lydia, who I will be keeping in my prayers. I had HELLP syndrome in my pregnancy that wasn't diagnosed until the last minute when they went to give me an epidural for a cesarean, then realized they couldn't due to my platelet count being 14k. It's a scary and dangerous condition that there doesn't seem to be a lot of awareness about. But like He did with Angela, God brought me and my daughter through it! And it is through stories like ours we can share His glory. Life sure isn't easy, but through God we can overcome.

[Susan]

Beautiful Beautiful Picture!!!

[Becky Hunter]

This picture makes me soooo happy! God has and continues to answer the prayers raised for the life and health of these amazing Keim women. Awesome. Just awesome. Thanks for posting this, Mark!

[Jody Brinks]

This gives me so much hope. At a time in our lives when I've lost my job d/t my health & my husband has Parkinson's things seems so desperate. Then, I get on your blog, as I do almost daily, and am so inspired by your thoughts and scripture.
I will continue to pray for Angela, Lydia and your family. And I will also stay focused on the God who never fails us and His kingdom to come.
So we're not giving up.

[Mark Waltz]

So grateful for the story God is writing in your lives - in yours and Sheila's, in Ang's and John's and Lydia's. God is faithful. Thanks for keeping Him in front of us as you journey as a family. God is good!

[Denise]

So happy to hear they are alright. I'm a HELLP survivor as well and know how scary it can be.

Best wishes to your family!