For all of you anal-retentive folks, there will be a part 2 to the honesty piece. If you do not know what I speak of, consider yourself, un-anal.
Well, I am hitting the books and Ginny is enjoying having her mother in town for a visit. That is, we both are enjoying having her mother in town.
Ginny has been working again at a gym here in town. She likes the break it provides from jewelry. Thanks to all of you who have continued to pray and peek in on what we are experiencing.
The journey that is Eliot has brought with it so much learning- to attempt a list is nothing short of ridiculous. Volumes could not hold the ideas, once thought, and now known- the faith, once hoped for, and now battle-tested. I not only desire to never be the same, I know I cannot. Experience changes everything. With that said, here are 10 things I know I have learned through it all. The work is incomplete and will forever be on this side, but a shift has taken place, as evidenced by the list below.
→ God is not who I thought He was.
I have waded into the waters of His mystery. He did not fit in my box.
→ I will never sit idly by when another is in pain and question what good I could do.
I desire to love others the way we have been shown love throughout. The kind that digs in and won’t pretend that things are good, but won’t dare not be there. May I be the first to cut through the awkwardness, that life so often brings, and make the call or hug the neck.
→ I will find common ground with the one who hurts, through the fact that I have felt pain, and never in the idea that I know what they are going through.
Pain cannot be measured. Cannot be compared. Only experienced.
→ I will attempt to not fear what I consider my worst nightmares, because precisely therein, lies great joy.
→ Daily examine the things that worry me. Throw away the petty, and pray for the others.
→ God is most glorified when I am honest with Him, myself, and those around me.
Anything less than the truth reflects the fact that I do not think my true self is worthy of His love, thus, admitting that His grace must fall short.
→ I must be more handsome than I thought because people told me my son looked like me.
→ I will seek God by seeking out the weak and humble. For this is where He chooses to show Himself most boisterously.
→ I am capable of greater love than I knew was within me.
→ I thought I had a faith. Now I know it is all I have.
→ My wife is more amazing than I realized.
Yes, another test for the retentive...that’s 11.
Love,
Matt & Ginny Mooney
19 comments:
"Praise be to the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of compassion and the God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our troubles, so that we can comfort those in any trouble with the comfort we ourselves receive from God."
II Corinthians 1:1-4
Thank you as always for sharing. God bless you and your sweet family.
There is so much in that list that many never realize--what a gift Eliot is, that he was a part of God teaching you all of them! Such wisdom is in what you wrote. Thank you for sharing these; I continue to pray for you both.
I just posted this quote today before reading this....
"Life is full of things we can't do anything about, but which we are supposed to do something with. 'He himself endured a cross and thought nothing of its shame because of the joy.'" -Elisabeth Elliot
Bless you for "doing something with" the pain and the lessons from your journey.
Thank you for continuing to share the lessons you have learned, and are learning still. I think lil' Eliot looked like you from the pictures I saw.
Thank you.
It is amazing to me the way that God pulls us through our pain and suffering only to find joy and hope on the other side.
May God continue to bless you on your never-ending journey.
Matt,
I became a believer as an adult. And yet, when things go wrong, I have always shaken my fist at Heaven. Because God did not "save" me from the ills of this world - He did not fit in my box. And after this year, THANK GOD he did not fit in my box! He's so big, I cannot fathom. Imagine what few blessings we WOULD have in our lives if He did fit in those boxes.
But like you've mentioned in another post...I now long for Heaven in a way that I've never longed for before. This world, with ALL it has to offer, offers me nothing more appealing than being UP there with Him. And even though I'm pretty sure I have many years down here, this paradigm shift has given me a new appreciation for what the ills of this world can teach me. If it brings me closer to Him - BRING IT ON!
Still praying for you. And so glad you're still sharing so transparently.
Andi
Matt... this list could never have been written without the experience of loss and love - and it would have to be one of the most amazing statements of faith I have ever read. I mean this, because God blew apart the box I thought he was in too, and everything you have said resonates with me from places of deep pain.
Thank you, thank you. And thank God for the grace that carries us all.
God must be working something in me right now. My dear friend gave a testimony last night at a meeting I attended and she said very similar things. This is a learning moment for me. Thanks for being the teacher.
Praying for you always,
Natalie
matt mooney...i laughed out loud at #7!!
eliot was one good looking baby!!!
Thank you for sharing all the wonderful things God is teaching you. i love it!
Please give your wife a hug for me
-b.robinson
I came across something Corrie Ten Boom wrote in "My Heart Sings".
" Although the threads of my life have often seemed knotted, I know by faith, that on the other side of the embroidery there is a crown."
Your family is in my prayers....Janet Crow
Thank you, Matt.
I saw the Eliot necklace up close and personal! BEAUTIFUL!!!! Just out of curiousity, do the color and number of beads have a specific meaning? If you don't want to share, I understand that also. I just have this feeling they represent something specific.
Yes, I to laughed when I read #7 and yes he is oh so handsome, but maybe, just maybe his mother had a little to do with it also since she is georgous!!!
Just wanted to let you know that I am still praying for you and share today's prayer:
"I ask that my children would be committed to prayer, and not faint, lose heart or give up." Luke 18:1
Lisa Hartsfield
Arlington, TX
BTW, Matt...#11 is a no brainer, so I consider your list to be 10 in total number. Amazingly clarifying list that gives me chills still after reading it several times. Love you guys, JB
Those are words of wisdom and truth and were spoken so clearly they were tangible! Thank you
Bek
Matt and Ginny,
I still look forward to Wednesday to hear how God is teaching and healing you. We are still praying for you both.
Love,
Jena Baker and family
Matt and Ginny - Thanks so much for your faithfulness in continuing to share the lessons you've learned through Eliot and your willingness to share honestly from your heart, even when it has to be so very painful at times. I am humbled by your witness. Still thinking about and praying for you all ... Sara
Thanks, Matt. That was inspiring and so, so true, and down near the core of life and it's mysterious meaning. You're a great communicator. A greater heart. And greater since knowing Eliot.
A grateful brother, -=db=-
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