My middle daughter was born without ears. We adopted Joy at almost four, and when the genius Vanderbilt doctors said they could build ears for her, she lit up like a Christmas tree.
The original plan was for three surgeries within one year to give her a set of printed custom ears, covered in her own skin, that would last for her lifetime. But just a few months ago, she had her sixth ear surgery. One year turned to four, and three surgeries turned to six as Joy’s unique anatomy introduced complications and revisions. What we hoped might be over relatively quickly became complex and painful. At one point, earlier this year, we thought Joy would have to permanently lose one of her ears. We are praying surgery number six saves the day.
Sometimes there are things we suffer—or things we have to watch our children suffer—that don’t have solutions. You can’t always tie a pretty holiday bow around the sad thing. Sometimes, children get sick, lose body parts, lose people they love. And what is there to say in those moments, those seasons, those years? What is there to do?
During the weeks that we thought Joy would lose her ear, I remember sitting at the foot of her bed one night and crying with her because she was understandably crestfallen and I couldn’t fix it. I couldn’t save her ear or protect her from the pain of the surgery or the embarrassment of the loss. But what I did have for her was the living hope I carry. Hope that the groans of this life can’t compare. What I can share is the hope of healing and wholeness that Joy will experience in glory when her painful pre-adoption past is washed away and her mind and body are made completely new.
Joy’s journey of health and home has frequently forced our family to cling to the hope of Jesus’s second advent—the hope of Revelation 21 and 22—in a way we might not if all our plans panned out and if all our ideas of wholeness were found here on earth. I hate seeing my daughter suffer, but the beautiful depth of faith that it’s produced in her at such a young age is striking. I’m grateful that I can point my girls and my own forgetful heart to the One seated on the throne. The powerful Maker of new. The One who keeps His promises. The One whose sacrifice ended our hopelessness. The only One who can take broken things and make them over again. The only One who can make dead things alive forever. No matter what you or your family face today, look at the manger. Look at the cross. Look a little longer at the empty tomb. Look at the eternal Savior who promises, “I am coming soon.” He is. He is coming soon, and pain and death are trembling at the thought.
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107 thoughts on "We Rejoice in New Creation"
What a powerful message!
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Pain and death are trembling at the thought! Hallelujah
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I found myself saying this phrase a lot over the past couple of days “ Cause after all… Nothing can be just easy for once”. I’ve struggled with life and juggling it (yes, as a single woman) and this today gave me some perspective that maybe it’s not meant to be easy but it is simple! Thanks She’s good night!
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I think I am always trying to find heaven here on earth. I am always disappointed when things don’t turn out the way I think they should. I pray that in this new year I would put my hope in Christ and in his kingdom. His kingdom will never disappoint or fail me.
Having a special needs child puts me on my knees . Our daughter who is almost 40 now has Down Syndrome as well as bi polar disorder. Surely a tough combo for all involved. And yet, she loves Jesus and has taught us so much. She loves the old hymns and knows many by heart. Once when we were taking our horse for a walk down the lane she started singing “ He leadeth me ,O blessed thought “. Brings heaven a little closer. She lives in a group home situation but comes home to us for regular overnight visits.
Having a child, now an adult who is “ special” has given me such a different perspective and makes me press hard into Jesus.
So thankful for all of you She’s who are in the Word daily.
Oof! This touched my heart like no other. I grew up in an abusive home, faced abandonment, homelessness, and was very well aware that my parents thought of me as a burden. Growing up with all of theses as identities really affected me as an adult. I continued down a road of hopelessness. It was deep and dark. I often was angry with God. I didn’t believe he was trustworthy, I didn’t believe he loved me. But as I grew in my faith (through suffering), He made me new. He cleaned my heart, he healed my identity. He picked me up and walked me out of my dark hopeless narratives. He has proved himself good and faithful and loving and completely trustworthy, all through allowing me to suffer. Allowing me to run into his arms over and over again, or coming after me when I storm away angry. Praise God for a new creation. Praise God I am one.
Oh…Lolly…SO thankful YOU are here with us today!
I needed to hear this today, a testimony exactly like yours, as someone I walked with had a similar childhood and it’s been long and dark. Thank you!
So glad you have found this place as you walk on your journey
He’s coming soon!! AND I can’t wait!! HE promised and I (we) believe that promise! Earlier this week one of the She’s mentioned a song by Crystal Lewis, “People Get Ready”
People get ready. Jesus is comin. Soon we’ll be going home.
I first heard this song in the early 1990’s! Brought back GREAT memories and my heart was filled with JOY of that reminder. Speaking of JOY..I never knew this of Scarlet’s daughter. Joining all of you beautiful She’s praying for this sweet child, Joy’s surgery and recovery! Scarlet….YOU are a GREAT mom!!! So glad God chose you and your husband to be Joy’s mommy and daddy!
I was just looking up her book “Afraid of All Things.” It looks really good about fear and anxiety in view of the knowledge of Jesus!
I saw that as well. I’ll look more into it!
Amen
Good morning She’s. Asking prayer for little 2 1/2 year old Natalie & for her parents Andrew & Vanessa. Natalie went to the ER on Christmas Eve & was found to have a ruptured appendix. She had surgery on Christmas morning & had 7 days of antibiotics. She was supposed to be released on New Year’s Eve day, but it was discovered that an abcess had formed. She is now in for another 7 days. The family has not celebrated Christmas yet. Her daddy stays overnight with her as her mama has to be home with a nursing, almost one year old. They take turns at the hospital during the day. It is exhausting & wearing on them. Prayers for wisdom, clarity in decision making, strength for the parents and healing for little Natalie. Thank you in advance!
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Have a blessed Friday – love you all! ❤️
PRAYING right now.
Praying ❤️
Oh goodness! Praying for this family, healing, strength, endurance, guidance, wisdom.
Praying for Natalie and her parents, Sharon Jersey Girl.
Done
Awee…how difficult. Have prayed right now❤️
Traci G…Romans 8:26 was the verse I was thinking about the other day. Been praying for you sweet lady.
Yes thank you for sharing. Praying Joy continues to have an amazing faith journey to share
So thankful for the Hope of an eternity with Jesus and my loved ones who are waiting. Mom dad brother sister and 2 children. ❤️
A lot of loss. Praise God for the knowledge to see them again!
Scarlet, thank you for your devotional today. I will be praying for your daughter, Joy. Praying this surgery is successful and that Joy continues to grow in faith, wisdom, and Joy!
Thank you to everyone sharing your stories and your insights and praise! Praying for Joy! That was my husband’s sister’s name! She is in heaven now, healed of Parkinson’s, and scoliosis! I know she is dancing in heaven and praising God!
I’m praying for all of your children and for my fellow SHE’s for healing, hope, and joy as we walk through this life waiting for the day where the “perishable becomes imperishable!”
Oh, this hope. Thank you Jesus. All my Hope is in you.
So thankful for HOPE! This has been such a convicting and encouraging study. Thank you, SHE READS TRUTH staff, for guiding us so faithfully through each study!
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I immediately thought of another song we sang in mixed quartet decades ago. What a joy it was to sing and watch people react to the words and music!
Jesus Is Coming Soon by The Oak Ridge Boys –
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Troublesome times are here, filling men’s hearts with fear
Freedom we all hold dear now is at stake
Humbling your hearts to God saves from the chastening rod
Seek the way pilgrims trod, Christians awake
Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon
Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound
All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies
Going where no one dies, heavenward bound
Troubles will soon be o’er, happy forevermore
When we meet on that shore, free from all care
Rising up in the sky, telling this world goodbye
Homeward we then shall fly, glory to share
Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon
Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound
All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies
Going where no one dies, heavenward bound
Jesus is coming soon, morning or night or noon
Many will meet their doom, trumpets will sound
All of the dead shall rise, righteous meet in the skies
Going where no one dies, heavenward bound
Heavenward bound, heavenward bound
Songwriters: Robert E. Winsett. For non-commercial use only.
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Heaven-ward bound!
Have a wonderful weekend, sisters. Continued prayers – sending love and hugs! ❤
This song came to mind and I looked it up a month or so ago ❤️
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It is so comforting in the midst of all the challenges and heartbreak that we experience here on earth that our Savior will be coming back to heal it all. I’m so grateful for this hope that we can continue to hold on to no matter what our circumstances might be.
Yes amen! How hard and depressing it would be otherwise.
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Children suffering is a hard one, no one wants to hear of this, and to be the mother, well, that is definitely the worst. Unfortunately many here can tell of their own child’s/children’s time of pain, illness, or hurt. As a mom we always wish we could take their place. 2 Corinthians 4:17 was one of my first scripture to memorize a couple of years ago. “For our light afflictions, which are but for a moment, are working for us a far greater eternal weight of glory.”
Combine that with the “therefore IF anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation” it gives us an incredible promise- that we can do this. We can overcome. Perseverance. Gain Strength and endurance. We see the reverse often in this world…the use of drugs and alcohol to cope. What starts to be a band aid is a downward spiral to more hurt and pain, and ruined relationships. But as believers we have a LORD and SAVIOR, a Healer, a Restorer!! Tested and true, Same God- yesterday, today, and tomorrow! Story of old. That is what we have to cling to…rejoice in a new creation. The kingdom to come. For the world is fast and fleeting, where sin causes pain and destruction, but Jesus conquered it so that his children (which are ONLY believers) have a hope, not for harm, but a hope and a future!! Thank you Lord for that promise!
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YES! Thank you for the reminder God is the same yesterday, TODAY and tomorrow! Love you sweet girl!
Amen. The afflictions don’t seem light at all when pain and suffering involving children, but…(big but) His word says it is light! lol. The renewing of the mind and the renewing of perspective has to start again with each new affliction. Praise Him for new mercies. Love you sister.
I’m thankful for when I see such hardships and sadness, tragedies and all, that He is coming soon. Jesus is COMING BACK SOON. He is bringing justice and making all things right again. We won’t even remember this time, it will be so amazing. Hallelujah!
Yes, love the song that just came out in the last year- Come Jesus Come by Stephen McWhirter! It is such a beautiful song!
Love that song! Our church praise team did Cece Winans’ version. So beautiful to sing as a church body!
Oh I have not heard the version of Cece! I will have to look now! And we have never sang at church!
Amen
Amen!!! Thank you, Heavenly Father for making all things new. Thank you that our suffering cannot compare with the glory you have in store at your second coming. Give us strength and perseverance as we run our race here on earth ❤️
Yes, come, Lord Jesus! Make all things new! ❤️
This morning’s reading brought a song to mind called Rest in You by All Sons and Daughters. The words of the bridge are: You cannot change yet You change everything!
What a great reminder that God is making all things new while staying the same almighty God that He has always been. ❤️
Thank you for the reminder of this song❤️
Jesus, this morning, I come to You with a heart full of gratitude for the promise You’ve given us—that one day, You will make all things new. In the midst of our present struggles, both in the brokenness of the world and the challenges in our own lives, we cling to the hope of that day when we will see You face to face, restored and redeemed.
Today, I especially lift up the precious children of my fellow SHES, asking for Your loving protection over them. Heal their little bodies and tender hearts, Lord. Wrap their mamas and fathers in Your strength and comfort, giving them courage and peace as they navigate this journey. Be near to them, Jesus, and bring the healing and hope that only You can provide.
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In Jesus’ Name…adding my amen, Maria! ❤
Amen
Amen❤️
Amen!!
Thank you Maria for this prayer,my mama’s heart is hurting as my daughter was just diagnosed with Lupus!
I cannot relate to the adoption story, but I can relate to the fear as a parent when it is all out of my hands. When I was 8 months pregnant with my 3rd child, my 4.5 year old daughter had brain surgery to remove an unexpected tumor. She has strabismus and that began at the age of 2. She had gone for her regular checkup and her ophthalmologist found her optic nerve looking slightly irregular. We opted to go ahead and have an MRI done although we never thought we would find anything (doctor included; this was a first for her as well.). And while sitting in the waiting room, the sweet doctor had to call and share they had found a tumor. My husband and I cried and prayed. We had to sit for another hour waiting for the mri to complete. Long story short, we stayed a week at the hospital and her tumor was removed. It was benign but we had years of follow ups. It was scary and I couldn’t do anything but pray and love on her. It taught me hope and trust.
She is a healthy 16 year old now. Which is crazy and amazing. What a Savior! We are forever grateful that her medical story was short.
All this to say, Praise God for heaven! For salvation! For mercy and grace!
Have a wonderful Friday, She’s!
Tears and elation as I read ❤️♥️
Wow..what a scare! And to be 8 months pregnant at the time!! Praise God for healing!
Oh, Tara, how happy I am to hear that your daughter is growing up healthy! ❤
Oh….what a scary time. Praise the Lord your daughter is doing well
Praise God for His peace & protection. ❤️
Just wow!♥️
❤️ thank you for this devotional. I relate well to the adoption part of the story: the suffering our family endures even though we are 5 years post adoption. Adoption is full of joy but also brings so much heartache.
Amen. Come Lord Jesus Come.
There with you Aimee!
Praying, Scarlet, that this latest surgery proves to be successful.
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Where would we be without our God, the one and only God of everything? So much suffering, some seen and much unseen. Lord, guide us, comfort us, protect us please.
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Prayer request for a friend’s family member undergoing a “should be straightforward” heart procedure today.
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MARI V – praying as you continue taking the necessary steps, thankful for the help you received yesterday.
Praying for the family friend and the loved ones.
Praying alongside you SEARCHING ♥️
Great ponder! Where would we be, indeed?!
Praying, sister! ❤
THANK you Searching. I KNOW it was everyone’s prayers that gave me strength to walk into that part of courthouse. It’s ALL God!
“[Jesus] is coming soon, and pain and death are trembling at the thought.”
Miss Scarlett this gives me goosebumps in anticipation! How we will rejoice to see these things destroyed forever.
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“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is going to be revealed to us.”
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Some days this is hard to imagine.
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Happy Friday Shes
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Love you Kelly!!
Awake for over an hour now…much too early for my taste :) but a few conversations from yesterday (and likely hormones, in small part) had me tossing and turning for a few hours!
But, I loved the Devo and the few comments thus far!
I have an important meeting at 1:00pm today…I’m praying I am wise, lead by my Jesus for what and how I speak, that I find favour while standing in my own truth,…and perhaps that THEY will do most of the talking :D and that I will be given the chance to reflect and pray afterward.
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@ CEE GEE Thank you for the reminder of that song yesterday — Holy Spirit You are (indeed) welcome here
@ MARI V and so many others truly inspired me yesterday in the bits and pieces of comments I had the chance to read.
Huge hugs and a “thank you for being you” to my sisters in this space ♥️
Praying, Foster Mama, for your meeting, for your words when needed and silence when they aren’t (this is the hardest for me personally). So good to see you!
Definitely hardest part for me too ❤️
Praying ♥️
Holy Spirit filled words and silence :-)
♥️Yes Lord Jesus ♥️
Prayers!
Praying for your meeting – hope all goes well & that you don’t have to say a word!
Oh..Foster Mama…YOU inspire us!! Praying right now for today!!
This line: Joy’s journey of health and home has frequently forced our family to cling to the hope of Jesus’s second advent—the hope of Revelation 21 and 22—in a way we might not if all our plans panned out and if all our ideas of wholeness were found here on earth.
So so true. I can’t imagine the heartache a parent goes through walking this journey with a child. I feel sad every time I see the St. Jude commercials on tv. Children suffering seems so cruel and I can imagine a parent would want to take that suffering on themselves if they could.
But suffering does force us to cling to the hope of Jesus. And that is the ultimate goal, so much better than living an easy life here on Earth. But isn’t it such a gift that even though we suffer here on Earth, God is still with us here and making it bearable? He gives us hope that we can cling to WHILE we wait for the new creation. It’s not like we have to suffer with no end in sight. Kinda makes me think of childbirth. The pain is real, the suffering is there (do I get an amen, ladies!) but the hope of holding that precious little baby makes it all worth it! Feeling wrapped in love and care this morning by my God and Savior.
AMEN!! My first-born, Caleb who is now 23, took 17 hours of labor! OUCH!!! I was not motivated to having any babies soon after that. Could be the reason why my kiddos are five years apart. BUT God…. He has given me the GREATEST blessings on this earth! I’m SO glad HE chose me to be their mom!
Scarlet Hiltibidal, I love your daughter!
Not because of her trials, at such a young age, though they tug at my heart, BUT because She carries my favorite word as her name! I love her!❤️
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I have told this story before..
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I had a climbing red rose thst grew into my light purple wisteria. In the early summer as the buds of the wisteria opened so the climber made its way to meet it and for a short time the two looked stunning on my front welcoming wall!
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My gardener died, and I needed someone to tidy my hedges at the front as it was beginning to look untidy and I started wearing dark glasses and going through the back gate so as not to be associated with the mess!
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Enter, my sons friend, a ‘gardener’ who came to help me out in the autumn.
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I trusted him is all I will say!
Needless to say, I came home to find my hedges cut and my rose nowhere in sight! He had ‘massacred’ my Holly bush under a front window and along with that, the rose bush!
I cried! You know that one line in the Good book( John 11:35), that was me! For months I could not go out of the house, passing the spot that once held this rose without an ache..
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BUT GOD..
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Dear Wonderful Restoring God.. God of new creations..
I came out of the house, looked as I always did at the empty spot, and there on the stump was a bud! A bud thst grew, in strength and size and blooms. It did not reach the wisteria, but I’ll tell you something, it may just do this year!
Rhonda J, the heart is beating fast and the foot is a-thumplng in the rejoicing of what God can do.. you know the song, sing it with me..
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It is no secret what God can do..
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… The chimes of time ring out the news, another day is through
Someone slipped and fell, was that someone you?
You may have longed for added strength your courage to renew
Do not be disheartened, I have news for you
IT IS NO SECRET WHAT GOD CAN DO!
What he’s done for others he’ll do for you
With arms wide open, he’ll pardon you
It is no secret what God can do
… There is no night for in his light you’ll never walk alone
You’ll always feel at home, wherever you may roam
There is no power can conquer you while God is on your side
Take him at his promise, don’t run away and hide
IT IS NO SECRET WHAT GOD CAN DO!
What he’s done for others he’ll do for you
With arms wide open he’ll pardon you
IT IS NO SECRET WHAT GOD CAN DO!
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I love that song!
The song is not about my ‘resurrected’ rose, but it is about God and what He can do!
I was mourning that rose.. BUT GOD..
He gave it new life, and my heart a whole new trusting God and not man, lesson!
This revelation was not quite ” ..a New Heaven and a new earth.. but it sure felt like it, this side of heaven!
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Forever looking upward Lord God, forever looking to you, Maker of Heaven and earth..
Thank you Father God.. Thank you Lord God..
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Amen.
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Happy Friday, my dears! He’s got this, whatever this is.. He is good!
Much, much, much love from across the pond!❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
Good morning my sweet Tina.♥️
This was great, great encouragement for the day ahead!
Yes, Tina, it is no secret and our God can do anything! Thank you, sister ❤️
Give weight to the truth of haard pruning gives renewed growth.
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Tina thank you for sharing the song lyrics. It touched me deep in my soul today as I wait on the Lordand my next medical steps!
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Yes! It’s no secret what God can do!!! What a promise we have!! I get totally giddy of new sprouts when something was thought to be dead (killed in my case!)
Ditto! I share that JOY of discovery with you and TINA!
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TINA, thanks for your plant testimony!
When we were planning our last move I was lamenting that I had to leave behind my beautiful English Dogwood. Shortly before the move, I noticed a seedling about a foot away from the plant! In the 12 years with that plant, I had never seen a seedling! You bet your boots I dug that baby out, potted it, and it has brought me JOY blooming outside my kitchen window for the past 9 years! AND, it produced 2 seedlings last summer!!! God blesses us when we least expect it in ways we don’t expect! That has taught me to never give up! ❤
Love that!
By the way WISTERIA has always been My FAVORITE (admired from catalogs.).which was not really adaptive to Illinois climate…so when I saw one with a few blooms on it I had to purchase! It did make it but was pretty slow with only a few flowers every year! I was so sad to leave it when we sold that house! My husband had made a special trellis just for it agst the house! Now in Florida I have a BEAUTIFUL Bougainvillea that has a pleathera of magenta pink blooms on the front of my “key west style house!) It makes my heart happy every day I pull in!
Precious Tina, what a great reminder today! I love that song but haven’t thought of it in years! It certainly brought me to tears! I know God has got this and got me!!! Love you, sweet sister! ❤️
Thank you Tina for the reminder of that song. I love the new praise songs but as I get older I’m finding comfort in the older songs in a way I never expected. They’re like a warm blanket wrapped around me.
I feel the same way, Arlene.
Dear Tina
Just LOVELovelove the song’s chorus!
Humming right along!
I can relate to today’s devotional.. My daughter had open heart surgery at just a week old. When I was in the hospital with her I struggled with finding my strength. It felt like a rug had been pulled from under my very unstable legs. I decided to write Romans 5:3-5 on my hand. Every time I looked down I was reminded of HOPE. God has been gracious with my daughter.. but we are always waiting for her follow ups to see if she will need more surgeries. I am so thankful for my Savior. He reigns
Ah, Sophie M. Holding your daughter and you so very close in prayer.
He sure does reign..
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He is good.
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BUT GOD.. right..?
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Much love, covered in prayers for future consultations, always, to be Good News. And for your mama heart to know peace and to just enjoy your girl❤️❤️❤️
Amen.
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Sophie, how scary! Echoing Tina’s prayer! ❤
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Sophie I can’t imagine having to go through that with your newborn baby – the joy of birth and then the sorrow of having to watch her go through surgery. But God. – our strength & our sheild. The One who walks beside us as we face difficulties. To Him be the glory. May He continue to strengthen & heal your daughter. ❤️
Thank you Sharon ❤️❤️