“Blessed are those who mourn for they shall be comforted.” Matthew 5:4 (shall be comforted – paraklethesontai – God will come right alongside and will be with us.) _______________ _______________ The demands our griefs place on God will be satisfied. This is what strikes me as I consider the audacious phrase shall be comforted and the fullness […]
Tearing Down The Fence: the grief and healing of re-entry – a guest post by Hallie Ziebart (survivor songs #29)
Tearing Down The Fence by Hallie Ziebart __________________ __________________ I mourn. Oh, have I learned how to mourn! My life became not what I expected, or hoped for, or thought I was promised. Life unfolded, joys and sorrows have come and gone. Sometimes I feel bewildered. Sometimes angry. Sometimes thankful. And sometimes I feel nothing […]
“Where Do We Go From Here? God Have Mercy” – a Marriage Startup Podcast with Leslie and Laura Camacho (survivor songs #27)
Today Laura Camacho joins up with her husband Leslie to offer a follow up to yesterday’s post (When Does Comfort Come, survivor songs #26). Leslie and Laura host a weekly broadcast called The Marriage Startup Podcast and today they are sharing a special edition of the podcast put together specifically for Survivor Songs. It is such an honor to host […]
When Does Comfort Come? – mourning while parenting a child with invisible special needs (survivor songs #26)
When Does Comfort Come? by Laura Camacho _______________ _______________ I’m writing a note to my 9-year old daughter’s school and I can’t stop crying. Every word feels like a sob. I’m coming off as calm on the page, but beneath each sentence lies soul crushing exhaustion and heartache. She needs to have Wednesdays off […]
At Peace (survivor songs #24)
At Peace by Ramone Romero Note by Harmony: this painting came to mind again and again as I wrote Spirit of Life. It perfectly depicts to me what Jesus has done for my heart. Ramone had a different inspiration when he painted the piece. About The Artist Ramone Romero believes that God is real, personal, and still speaks […]
“That’s Not True” – a story about comfort, part 2 (survivor songs #19)
A story about comfort, part two. For part one, see here: A Lie That Fell Like A Curse. __________________ Depart from me, all you workers of evil, for the LORD has heard the sound of my weeping. The LORD has heard my plea; the LORD accepts my prayer. Psalm 6:8,9 “If you ever […]
Worship In Tears: mourning chronic disease (survivor songs #18)
My philosophy on life for as long as I can remember has been to move forward. Work through the trials, learn from the mistakes, let go of the regrets, and walk forward to the next thing. I’m not a huge crier, and can count on one hand the times I would describe myself as […]
Healing Waters: Reflections on Postpartum Depression (survivor songs #17)
I cried out to God for help; I cried out to God to hear me. When I was in distress, I sought the Lord; At night I stretched out untiring hands And my soul refused to be comforted (Psalm 77:1) I don’t believe any woman is fully prepared to become a mother. Yes, we have […]
With Me In The Rain (survivor songs # 16)
With Me In The Rain by Ramone Romero “…I guess I have no other way to go Lead me on, then, through it all Be my comfort in the rain…” Read the the painting’s full poem here. About The Artist Ramone Romero believes that God is real, personal, and still speaks today – often through visions, […]
The Lie That Fell Like A Curse (survivor songs # 13)
A story about comfort, part one. Comfort: I hear the word and I think thick, cheesy casseroles, warm sweaters, my husband’s arms. I think steaming chai on a rainy day in Oregon. I think conversation – companionship – with friends. But when I consider the concept of comfort, a completely different image comes to […]