Kathy I did see it all and that is encouraging hugs I know your going
through a lot but as that scripture God knows and is with you.

hugs


Lelia Struve email [log in to unmask] msn [log in to unmask]
----- Original Message -----
From: "Kathy Du Bois" <[log in to unmask]>
To: <[log in to unmask]>
Sent: Saturday, August 27, 2005 8:44 AM
Subject: An encouraging scripture for me


> Hey guys,
>        You know how you are just reading along in your bible, kind of
> thinking, "same old, same old," and then, you have one of those great
> moments when something leaps out at you?  Actually, I have those a
> lot.  I do really enjoy reading scripture, but I have read Jeremiah
> so much that I was kind of taking it for granted when, all of a
> sudden, one of those moments struck.  I just felt like sharing
> it.  It may not speak to you, but when I shared it with Greg, he got
> the point as well.  Just think about our situation with Chris and I
> think that you'll see what I mean.
>
>        This is what the Lord says:  "Restrain your voice from weeping and
> your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded," declares the
> Lord.  "They will return from the land of the enemy.  so there is
> hope for your future," declares the Lord.  "Your children will return
> to their own land."
>        "I have surely heard Ephraim's moaning:  "You disciplined me like
> an
> unruly calf, and I have been disciplined.   Restore me, and I will
> return, because you are the Lord my God.  After I strayed, I
> repented; after I came to understand, I beat my breast.  I was
> ashamed and humiliated because I bore the disgrace of my youth."  Is
> not Ephraim my dear son, the child in whom I delight?  Though I often
> speak against him, I still remember him.  Therefore my heart yearns
> for him; I have great compassion for him," declares the Lord.
> Jeremiah 31:16-20
>
> I hope that you can get the gyst of this with all of the quotes and
> stuff.  I'm sorry that screen readers don't really do the passage
> justice.  I felt like, instead of God speaking about Ephraim, this
> passage could have been me talking about Chris.  The great thing, for
> me at least, is the hope offered in this passage.  I really need
> that.  Chris desperately wants to  move out.  We had tried to put
> three conditions on his release from our home.  We asked him to pay
> us what he owes us, save up $1,000 for a cushion, and wait to talk to
> his probation officer.  Yesterday, however, thanks to the help of
> Nicki's grand mother, Chris has found an empty efficiency in her
> building.  The land lord is willing to negotiate the deposit and rent
> and Chris is acting like it's a done deal without meeting our
> conditions or receiving our approval.  I'd be more than happy to just
> let him go except that we are still legally responsible for him for
> another 66 days and I don't want to do anything without the blessing
> of the probation officer.  Anyway, If you see this passage about
> Chris instead of Ephraim, the land of the enemy is pretty obvious
> and, I pray that home means his return to Jesus.  What I did
> appreciate, however is remembering once again how God really does
> know and empethize with our struggle.
> God bless,
> Kathy
>