Monday, August 20, 2007

Engraved in His Palms???

I thought I would let you know how I came up with the title of my blog just in case any one was interested :)

I was involved in a bible study years ago and one of the verses that stuck out at me was this one. Isaiah 49:16, See I have engraved you on the palms of my hands... The teacher read this to us and told us that once we accept Jesus as our Savior our name is written in the Palms of Christ's hand right next to the nail scars and nothing could erase that. I liked the verse and even memorized it. I was in our church bookstore one day a few years later and I found a framed scripture that had this verse on it. I bought it and have it displayed in our home. As great as I thought this verse was it was not necessarily one that I pondered on all the time I just really liked the imagery of the it. I was grocery shopping one evening in December (1996) when the Salvation Army guy was outside ringing the bell and asking for donations as I left some money in the bucket he handed me a card I thanked him and put it in my sweater pocket.

Fastforward toFebruary(1997) I had just found out I was pregnant and then began to bleed. I was so upset. I went for a walk and just prayed and cried out to God I had already lost one baby , I did have a 3 year old, but had longed for another one and I just could not understand whyI was suffering through this type of loss again. As I was praying I noticed it got colder and I stuck my hands in my pocket. I felt something and pulled it out to see what it was It was the card that the Salvation Army guy gave me that night at the grocery store back in December. It had perferated edges so I tore them to see what it was and a peace came over me as I read the following verse , See I have engraved you in the palms of my hands. I began to cry as I was remined that He really did love me and cared enough to show up that cold February evening to comfort me. Since then I have claimed this verse and love to share it with others. It amazes me how I can read a verse one day and almost not even notice it and then read it again during a different set of circumstances and wow it just jumps off the page. I guess this is why you don't just read the Bible through one time and say "I'm done", it really speaks to us where we are.



I will never fully understand why God allows somethings to happen in our lives but I know He loves us and everything I have gone through has shaped me into the person I am today. I have so many stories relating to my losses. ( we lost another one for a total of 3) In fact there is one in particular I may share in the future as it is extremely sweet. After I publish this post I am going to pray for all of you who have lost a baby,and those who are struggling with infertility. Seek Him. He may not answer the way you desire but he does have a good and perfect will for all of us.

Blessings

18 comments:

Michelle said...

Thanks for a lovely post.

MamaCass said...

How thankful I am engraved in His palms. Thanks for that reminder. This was a beautiful story.

Anonymous said...

What an amazing part of your 'life song'!!! Thank you for your willingness to open this chapter in your life up for others to read and be ministered to.
In Him,
Christina
Rm. 8:28

Kim said...

Linda what a lovely post, as always. You share yet another example of your faith and how God's love and comfort blessed your life. I found out on our son's first birthday that I was expecting our second child but miscarried just over a month later. I was devastated. At the time I never thought I'd recover, but God saw me through and allowed us to have 2 more healthy children, daughters, several years later. My Stephanie suffers from POS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome) which they say will make it very difficult for her to conceive. She and Brian want children so badly and with her wedding in March of 2008 I know they don't plan to wait too long to start a family. She would be a wonderful, caring, nurturing mother and I pray that God will bless her with children. Thank you for sharing your faith. You are such an inspiration. Hugs ~ Kim

Diann McDuffie said...

God is so loving, isn't He? He knew just what you needed even before you needed it. I didn't know all of that about you. It just lets me see your heart even more!

Unknown said...

Oh Lisa a lovely post! It takes alot of courage to share such a heartfelt story! I so glad that you have a strong relationship with god! Bless you and your lovely family! Thanks for visiting my blog and leaving sweet thoughts! Many hugs to you!

Unknown said...

I meant Linda...sorry not lisa. I am so sorry about the error! I was talking on the phone with my friend Lisa and then sent the post without previewing....so sorry! Still, it was a very touching and thoughtful post! I hope you don't mind me sharing it with my friend lisa...she has lost 2 babies and is stuggling with it and I wanted to share. That recovery is possible with getting in touch with God. Thank you again for sharing!

Sandy McTier Designs said...

Hey Sis!
Beautiful post. I know how difficult it was for you during those trying times and you always relied on God to get you through. You truly were blessed with 3 wonderful boys and God always had that plan for you!
Have a wonderful day. Love ya,san

Brin said...

What a powerful testimony! This post really touched my heart (and gave me chills, too!). I love reading about how God is so faithful... so very faithful and compassionate... to His own!

Hi Linda! Just wanted to stop by and say that I appreciate your kind comment on my blog today. Hope you'll consider dropping back by whenever you have the time or inclination!

My best,
Brin
www.messythrillinglife.blogspot.com

Tip Junkie said...

Thank you for sharing such a spiritual and personal experience. I haven't had a miscarriage by my mom had 4. Even though I was a child, I could feel some of the loss she experienced with each one. You are so fortunate for recognizing how the Lord has blessed you in this regard. I'm so glad you ended up with 3 beautiful boys. (Me too!)

paige said...

i strongly believe that we never feel closer to the lord than when we are going through trials.
when my first husband was sick, even though i was scared, i was frustrated, i was overwhelmed- i knew that he saw every tear & he knew everyneed. i knew i was in the center of his palm.
just like you, i did loose two babies late first trimester. i again experienced the same thoughts.
why are we doing this again?
anyway, thank you for being such a light to the world.
xo

Jennifer in MS said...

Oh Linda,
What a wonderful post. I had chills as I read the reason for your blog title. I love it.

Then my heart sank as I read about your losses. I too have lost a baby.....at 18 weeks into my pregnancy. I'm coming up on my 4 year anniversary next month. Every September, whether I'm thinking of it or not, I am flooded with the emotions of that painful time. It's like the fall wind blows through and I'm taken back.......

I really appreciate when others share their stories. It helps to know that so many others know all too well the pain and sufferings of such a loss. God is so good to bring such peace and comfort after such a time.

I'm very sorry to hear you've had three losses. ((hugs)) You are so right in that things like that shape you into who you are today. I wouldn't trade what I've been through because of that!

Charity said...

Hello...just thought I would check out your blog! I have much enjoyed it! What a great post! I have not had to deal with that kind of loss. I can't even imagine what that must be like! I think you are right. I don't know why God allows things to happen either, but I believe it is because he is shaping us to be the people we are. I am sure that you have blessed other people who have also been through the same situation with your testimony!

It is so cool how God orchestrates events to show us how He cares! Great story about the verse!

Jill said...

Linda- What a wonderful story and a great lesson. I love hearing how people chose their blog names.

Adele said...

Your post was so encouraging for me tonight. I have experienced infertility and could write a book on my experience. If it weren't for God getting me through, I don't know how I would have made it. He had a better plan for my life and that was adoption. God does have us engraved on His palms and for that I am so thankful. Your blog is an inspiration and such an encouragement to me. Your faith is amazing as well. I am blessed to have connected with you.

Gretchen said...

I hopped over from Diann's post today. What an encouragement this is. While I don't struggle with infertility, I certainly have my lows where I can't possibly imagine He is there. But He is. Beautiful, Linda.

Mrs. Jones said...

What beautiful meaning your blog name has! Thank you for sharing that story with us. I had one miscarriage, and the blessing that I received from that experience is that I can understand a little of what others are going through when they experience the same.

Momma Oak said...

I "happened" upon your blog and really enjoyed this post.

You are living proof of "beauty from ashes..."