Sunday, March 7, 2010

Frog Sounds are Back

A picture taken by Thomas with his cell phone: (thanks, Adam for helping me get them onto my computer!)
My title means we've just about made it to spring. I was putting Thomas down to sleep in his crib and I heard the familiar "chirping" noises coming from the frogs singing their hearts out across the road in the pond. My breath stopped in my throat for just a moment as I remember posting about these very sounds last year and the piercing pain it brought because that was such a special memory for me. And here they are again.Thomas telling Mollie that we are supposed to pat the bible, not eat it. Too cute.

What do those sounds mean to me? So many things. I've made it another year. It means the spring I have been longing for all winter is here. (Don't get me wrong, I know in Arkansas you do not run out and plant your tomatoes until the last freeze that is sure to come in March, this warm weather is just a tease for now.)
But, spring is working its way through to us. I stepped outside for just a minute and listened, and then noticed the hint of warm spring on my skin while standing in the dark of night, but only feeling the warmth in between the wafts of the cold breeze that is trying its best to let us know winter has not quite let go of its grip on us. The elation and excitement that comes to me each time a season changes was so short lived tonight, I was not sure it even happened. I have been moaning about how awful and long the winter has been and how I can't wait for spring, blah, blah blah--and here it is, just what I wanted, and yet, it is an empty feeling I am left with. Replaced in about 1.5 seconds later with the realization that this is a lesson from God that I have been faced with over and over. No matter what we want, or think we want or need, once we get "it," we realize it doesn't fulfill that longing. Only God can do that. So, as I am eager to shed our coats and jackets once and for all, I go confidently into tomorrow knowing that there is a way to fill that "hole" in my heart and it is not going to come with spring. It is coming from my growing relationship with Jesus. Of course, the spring sunshine and being able to explore the big outdoors with Caroline and Thomas will do great things for my spirits. Yet, I just know that the only way to feel as complete as possible after suffering a loss like we have and for anyone feeling God is not giving them what they need or want: I ALWAYS feel more alive and more "okay" the closer I am to Him, and when I take my eyes off of Him for even a few moments I can tell the difference. So please, all of you, hold me accountable and keep my sweet little family of 3 on the path to know and experience God in all the ways we possibly can. Thank you for all your prayers. Now go outside and enjoy God's creation!Happy 1st Birthday, Ben! We LOVED your backyard!

17 comments:

  1. Hi Bonnie,
    When I read the title of your post and remembered your post from last year, my heart sank... knowing that you were so looking forward to spring, and now here you are with another painful reminder. :( I'm so sorry for your pain. I think about you and pray for you often. I'm reminded not to take for granted the moments I have with my family. I'm thankful that you share your joys and your pains, and that you always point us to God. You are so right that He is the only one or thing that can fill you. I am so glad that you know that you can draw close to Him, and that He will be there with you every step of the way and through each changing of the seasons.

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  2. That's so true Bon. We are always trying to fill our selves up with something other than Him, only to be reminded that it doesn't work...only to be disappointed yet again and reminded, that He is the only one who can do it. Why are we so dense sometimes? :) Sometimes I feel like an Israelite, constantly having to be reminded. :)

    I love you so much and I will pray that you would draw so close to Him that there would be no room for want. Please pray the same for me.

    You're sp precious Bonnie! ...precious. -Ash

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  3. bonnie, i love you so much!!!! and i love reading your thoughts, even the ones that are painful, and think it's just a matter of time before you are encouraged to write a book. you are such an amazing woman and your relationship with god is so evident to anyone who has the priveledge of knowing you. a common phrase at our church is "struggling well" and you are the greatest example of that i know. looking forward to seeing you in person sometime soon-ish, woo to the hoo for spring!!!! will keep praying :)

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  4. I lift you up in prayer on a daily basics.

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  5. I too will be lifting you up in my prayers. I am dealing with a lot in my life, but not nearly the hurt that you deal with. I often try to find that relationship with God that you speak of and I feel like I can quiet never get there. I wish that I could figure out what I am doing wrong and how to fix it. I have said it before- I think that you are an amazing and strong woman and mother. I admire you.

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  6. That picture of baby Thomas is SO cute! I can't believe how big he's getting. it seems so fast from a distance.
    And thank you for your thoughts and the reminder of truth.

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  7. Bonnie,

    Thank you so much for sharing your blog with me. I work at Ann Taylor Loft and we had a nice exchange about school, blogging, and most importantly faith. Great meeting you, I am now following your blog. All blessings to you and your family.

    J.K. Souza

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  8. It was so nice to meet you at LOFT a few days ago. I am so honored to read your blog. All Blessings to you and your family. You remind me what is important and who I am living for.

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  9. That was SO beautiful!! Very encouraging for me:) love you!

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  10. Well said, sweet friend. Love you.

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  11. Hi, Bonnie, I am Caroline Neel's sister. She told me about you last year, and I am always looking at your blog. I'm a stay-at-home mom with a 3-yr old son and an 8-month old son. We live in Los Angeles but get back to visit as much as we can. I hate lurking, so I just wanted to say hello. I am always thinking of you, praying for you, and rooting for you all. Your post today reminded me of a poem I learned in high school, so here is the link. I wish you a great day and thanks for sharing your life and faith with everyone.

    http://library.timelesstruths.org/texts/Food_for_Lambs/A_Solitary_Way/


    Sent from my iPhone

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  12. Ha! That didn't quite work, sorry! It's called "A Solitary Way," if you want to look it up on that site. I'm sorry to bother you; I really just wanted to introduce myself. Best wishes to all of you!

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  13. You are so right... tonight in the GriefShare meeting, Pam said that she had a new insight in a Bible study about the scripture that says that those who wait on the Lord will mount up with wings as eagles. Her comment was that we can't be waiting on the next "thing"... we have to be waiting on the Lord. That next "thing" will never be enough- I know that God is using your words to make sure my dense brain gets the message doubly-strong! I love you....

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  14. I have been thinking about you all week. I look forward to seeing you again next week (I think). You are right. I have loved the spring weather, but even in the midst of it, there are times something will frustrate me or I will feel a sadness, and I realize that nothing BUT God can fill those holes in our hearts. I hope that this week you are resting in His arms. Lots of love.

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  15. Dear Bonnie,
    I have been reading your blog since Thomas was killed. I prayed for you many times and awaited the birth of baby Thomas, hoping he would help bring healing to your heart.

    I have thought of you even more during the past few days. Our community has been devastated by the death of one of our Sheriff's Deputies who was killed in the line of duty last week. He was 33 years old, married, with three very young children. He was shot while apprehending a criminal.

    I don't want to impose on you. You don't even know me. I just wondered if you could give me any ideas of what we could do to help his wife and children? Any words of advice to her? Please forgive me if I am asking too much of you.
    I just thought of you knowing you have been walking this path for over a year.

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  16. Oh Bonnie, sorry it has been so long. Not a day goes by that I don't think of you and pray for you. I just don't get on the computer that often. I am all caught up on you know and all that has been going on. Know that I love you and that I wish more than anything I could be there to help you and comfort you on your really hard days. Your words inspire and encourage me. I love you so much!

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  17. I am so glad that you know that you can draw close to Him, and that He will be there with you every step of the way and through each changing of the seasons.
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