I have been waiting for the right day to share something very intimate to my family and I. We have been through a whirlwind of emotion the last eight weeks, and it all ended in unexpected sorrow. But we serve a good, good Father and through the loss we see hope and promise. My wife and I found out she was expecting, unexpectedly, and we moved from every gamut of feelings, where frustration and anxiety gave way to anticipation and excitement, only for it to come screeching to a halt with a miscarriage and the heartbreaking news that the twins that were growing in her womb had deceased a little over six weeks in. But no one can tell it better than my wife, and she wrote a very personal devotion that she wished to share in the hope that someone, somewhere might find comfort and peace just like we have.
Here I lay with a heating pad on my stomach and tears streaming down my face. I’ve felt a whirlwind of emotions the last 5 weeks. Surprise, worry, excitement, and joy, these were the first, but those quickly turned into shock, guilt, and sadness. To love and lose two beings that you never got the chance to hold is both magical and gut wrenching. The night before my first ultrasound, I was texting back and forth with my best friend. I mentioned that this pregnancy felt different than my others. I thought joyfully that it may be twins, or fearfully, that something was wrong. Little did I know that my appointment the next day would prove one of those things true. And the appointment the following week would prove the other to be true as well. Twins, who stopped progressing at close to seven weeks with no heartbeats. A miscarriage that would ultimately end up with me having a medical procedure which has landed me here with my tears and my heating pad. Through all of this, I know God is good. I know He has a plan. I know that we are going through this for a reason and we’ve already started pointing them out. I know this will forever change me, that I will grow and build strength. But that doesn’t mean it does not hurt and that I can not be sad. I don’t grieve for them, I know they are fluttering their little angel wings with Jesus and that brings me joy. I grieve for the fact that we won’t be able to hold them or watch them grow up, at least not right now. But my soul delights in knowing that we will be united one day and they will show me around their beautiful perfect home in heaven. And for that I am thankful. Their little hearts may have stopped beating but they will beat with mine until I see them again.
-Mrs. Z
September 16
8Son though he was, he learned obedience from what he suffered 9and, once made perfect, he became the source of eternal salvation for all who obey him 10and was designated by God to be high priest in the order of Melchizedek. (Hebrews 5:8-10)
If you are anything like I was the first time reading the Book of Hebrews, you are probably scratching your head wondering who this high priest Melchizedek is. The first mention of this name was way back in the Book of Genesis, Chapter 14, starting on verse 18:
18Then Melchizedek king of Salem brought out bread and wine. He was priest of God Most High, 19and he blessed Abram, saying,
“Blessed be Abram by God Most High,
Creator of heaven and earth.
20And praise be to God Most High,
who delivered your enemies into your hand.” (Genesis 14:18-20)
The significance of this is glossed over in Genesis. However, I recommend you all to do some research of Melchizedek. Of the interesting literature I found, from the Second Book of Enoch, which is only recognized in the Church Slavic, Melchizedek is believed to be born of a virgin birth and the nephew of Noah. Melchizedek is saved from the flood by the archangel Gabriel, who takes him to the Garden of Eden during the 40-day deluge. Scrolls from the Dead Sea Scrolls mention Melchizedek as both Elohim in 11Q13, and the Qumran Scrolls states Melchizedek is the Archangel Michael, described as a heavenly priest. It is also interesting to note that Salem is the Hebrew word for peace, and it was also an area of land in the time of Abram, but perhaps in Genesis, the interpretation of Salem is peace.
Jesus is believed to have been with God from the beginning of time. As we saw back in April, the Apostle John stated that Jesus was the Word and the Word was with God from the beginning of creation, so there are some that believe this reference to “the King of Peace” that this was Jesus, blessing Abram with bread and wine. And we all know how Jesus can bless and break bread. Jesus has been with us throughout our history, and He will be with us until He calls us home. And yet, as a society and nation, we continue to push Jesus away from us and live completely opposite to everything He ever taught. We are way behind the education curve of understanding who Jesus is and what He asks of us. So make today a day where you spend time with the Savior of the world, who has been with us since the very beginning, and will be with us until the very end.
Reading plan: Hebrews 5:1-10
Deeper reading plan: Ezekiel 31, 32
Prayer and meditation: Pray for our country. Pray for love to conquer all. Pray for God’s wings of protection to cover all the children returning to school. Pray that Christ infects our hearts and ignites a final fire of revival to sweep this land.
Fitness challenge: Day 16-16 Reps
- Hand-release Push-up
- Sit-up
- Jumping squat
- Leg lift
- Burpees
Run: Wednesday is our sprint work-out.
½ mile warm-up
400, 400, 800, 800, 400, 400
½ mile cool-down
Common Sense Reborn 