Jun. 2, 2007 - A Study of Contrasts
Many of you have heard me talk about my dear friends, Smith and Julie, whose 4yo son, Jackson, was killed 2 1/2 years ago. It was tragic and changed them forever. It changed them in painful, heart-wrenching ways and it changed them in powerful, heart-changing ways!
This week their story was on Oprah. Oprah, being Oprah, didn't really allow the full impact of their story to be shared because their story is rooted in the power of Jesus Christ. Talk like that makes Oprah nervous!
There was another family on before S&J who had lost a daughter in a horrific way as the result of a drunk-driving accident. It was a story that was painful to watch on many counts, but especially because of the lack of hope and joy this family possessed! And that is where the study in contrasts came...
While Smith and Julie didn't get to share the hope they had in Jesus Christ in so many words, and while they edited their oldest daughter sharing how it is only because of Jesus that they could even go on, and while they never got to share the resolve they made that they would live in such a way as to join Jack in heaven one day ~ you could tell.
You could see the hope in their eyes. You could tell that, while pain still floods their hearts at times, joy is present. Smith and Julie have it! Maddie and Macie have it! Those of us who love them and share life with them witness it every day, and those who watched Oprah were given a glimpse of it, too. One couple was hopeless, dreading the arrival of each new day. The other couple, equally touched by tragedy, extended forgiveness and talked of their embrace of each new day!
I love this family and count it such a privilege to have an opportunity to witness the power of Jesus in their lives. They challenge me and convict me in ways I never would have been if I hadn't walked this road with them.
I wish Oprah wasn't so afraid of truth and that her team didn't censor their interviews in such a cowardly way, but the truth of Jesus Christ does scare people. Even when they see the unmistakable evidence of His presence in a person's life, they shy away from it. They don't want to offend and they don't want to take a stand. Wishy-washy is always best in their books!
I take comfort in knowing, though, that the Lord will use Smith and Julie to continue to impact the lives around them. I know what they said that day and I know an audience full of people heard the truth. I know the people that came and filmed Smith and Julie and their family at home saw a difference in their family because they said they did!
So Jesus was glorified in spite of Oprah's attempts to present a spiritually sterile show! The contrast was evidence that His power is real and He is still changing hearts, healing pain and placing a hope and joy where it doesn't make sense to find one!
Praise Him!! \O/
Comments
Jun. 2, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Kristina
As always, your words reach into my soul and touch it in a way I never thought imaginable! Thank you for sharing your friends story with us.
I watched yesterday and just hurt so for Roz. I think there was some healing done in her life on that day. Julie and Smith have an incredible testimony to share and they did a wonderful job with such a heart wrenching subject.
Continueing to pray as God uses them in such a mighty way!
Jun. 2, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by KindredHeart
One of the many things I admire about you is your courage and strength to speak the truth in love. This is a gift from our Father, and I'm so thankful that you wisely use these things to testify of Him.
You know we stand with you in praying for and thanking God for your dear friends. Oh, how God is using them for His honor and glory!
(((Hugs to you, my friend)))
Jun. 2, 2007 - Let His Light Shine
Posted by bethanyrae
Let us pray for Oprah and everyone else touched by this tragedy. Would that not be cool to see the Lord's touch and impact in her life?? He is sovereign.
bethanyrae
Jun. 5, 2007 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Theresa
I wasn't able to see the show on Oprah. But Jesus Christ does change lives and heal wounds.
All praise and glory to God the Father for what He has done in this family and those that love them and for those that may have watched and seen a family with love and hope and Christ, even if it wasn't expressed in words.
In Him,
Theresa
http://www.treausreinearthenvessels.blogspot.com
