Last year I was introduced to an author by the name of Frederick Buechner. Great writer with a tough past. Through the introduction, I came across a meditational book called, "Listening to Your Life." It has bits and pieces of his writings for each day of the year. I enjoy the diversity of his writings as he writes both fiction and non-fiction. On November 14th, I was not prepared for the way my heart would be stirred by the words written on the page of this small book.
Jairus' twelve year old daughter had passed and mourners were gathering together at her home to mourn together. Jesus, upon his arrival, told the gathered people that she was only asleep. I can't imagine how Jairus felt. Maybe slapped in the face? How could she be asleep?? They had watched her die...checked her vitals...known that she was not just asleep. But Jesus said that she was. And the next thing He did...was walk over to the bed where her lifeless body lay and He grabbed her hand and He said, "Talitha Cumi." (In Aramaic this means, "little girl, get up.") The little, precious girl then rose to find many people astonished and amazed.(Mark 5: 35-43)
"Little girl, get up. Little girl, get up. Little girl, get up."
This means something to me. Something very powerful, in fact. A lot of my life has been marked by trauma---many losses both great and small---and many of these things have left permanent scars on my heart--causing me to feel as if parts of my heart are dead...lifeless. Parts of my childhood were stripped by many moves, few friends, people in and out, inconsistencies, losses, and parents who were still trying to figure out who they were, let alone try to help me navigate through childhood and onward.
Little girl, get UP. Get UP. Get UP. He didn't say, "little girl, awake" or "little girl, we're here, you can open your eyes." He told her to rise...to do something...to move. I believe He is telling me the same: to get up, rise, and move. I may be scarred by the pain of my past, but I'm not paralyzed, I'm not defeated, I'm not without hope, and I surely am not dead. These parts of me have merely been....asleep. And I believe that through the story of Jairus' daughter, I am being reminded by the Spirit to 'get up, little girl... your journey is not over. You have so much more in you and there's still a lot of life to live!!"
And I live in that today.
Amen, amen, amen! Beautifully written and so true! Get up...move...act. Indeed.
ReplyDeletechills...
ReplyDeletethis touches me in a deep, deep, fragile place.
i CELEBRATE the move of the very Spirit of God in your life and affirm your obedience and courage.
i love you in a very profound way...and i still want you to move to west MI!!!!)
I'm so thankful you shared this...
ReplyDeleteI agree with Jami, this also touches me in a deep, deep, fragile place. The dark parts in my heart left scarred and broken. But not anymore; I can feel the light in those places from reading this.
A lot in life is about perspective, so thanks for giving me some...for changing mine...
Beautifully written, from a heart that is very pliable, something that the Lord cannot help but extend His hand and His grace to. Thank you for sharing Nicki.
ReplyDeleteMy prayer is that God is not only calling you to get up, but grabbing your hand and leading you in each step you take. I am thankful His precious voice is speaking so clearly into your life, and you are challenging others in this area as well. I need to remember your words, and then head toward all God has. May He be meeting you in each moment.
ReplyDeleteYour post really spoke to me. Due to the trauma of childhood sexual abuse, parts of my heart were also left dead. And I feel the Spirit is telling me to get up and live.Thanks for the reminder that there is more living left on my journey.
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