Sunday, October 18

We went to our small group meeting tonight. We're studying Randy Alcorn's book "Heaven". How appropriate. I missed the first meeting on this topic a few weeks ago, so this was my first glimpse of the book and where the author was going to take the topic. It was great.

Imagine that new heaven and earth without the curse of sin! Almost unimaginable, and yet, every once in a while, doesn't God give us just a peek into what our hearts long for every day? That perfect day, where the sun is just warm enough without burning, the breeze is neither cold or hot, the sky is brilliant blue with white fluffy clouds, and the temperature is just..... heavenly. Or a refreshing time of working, getting the things done we needed to get done, that sense of accomplishment, when, for once, things went the way they were supposed to. Watching our kids giggle and play together nicely, kindly, and realizing with a sigh, that for just this moment, everything is good. If all creation groans, waiting for things to be put right, no wonder we long for it too, even when we don't realize that's what we're longing for.

After the "class", we all were asked to share what was going on in our lives and any prayer requests. This is a pretty small bunch... maybe 7-8 couples. We were right in the middle, and I knew chances were that my husband wouldn't feel comfortable sharing our sorrow with this group. But as people began to share the deep struggles they are going through right now, we both realized that this was exactly where we could safely ask for prayer.

When it was our turn, we told about our week. I think for my husband it was so good to say out loud what we are going through. He shared that, unknown to me, he was also struggling with how to react and respond to the news we received. Once again, it was that question of... did we lose a baby? or was there never a baby there? I had no idea he was struggling with this... as far as I could tell, it was done and over with for him and that was that. I think we wives forget sometimes that our husbands do have feelings, sometimes similar to ours, and yet, they often just don't show them in ways we can understand.

Two dear ladies from the group gave me a chance to talk after the class and one gave me an index card with her phone numbers, telling me to call if I need her to come and keep me company or if I need her to watch the kids or if I need ANYTHING at all.

I've always wondered what the appropriate response, words, offers, gestures, etc., were when my friends have gone through similar things. Now I know... a hug, a chance to talk if they need to talk, specific offers of help, a phone call just to see if they're ok. Such little things can be such a soothing comfort to a wounded heart.