The Body Of Christ

"Now there are varieties of gifts, but the same Spirit; and there are varieties of service, but the same Lord; and there are varieties of activities, but it is the same God who empowers them all in everyone." 1 Corinthians 12: 4-6

It has been AMAZING to watch the body of Christ come in and out of our home the last few days. I am so thankful to be a part of such a wonderful church, and just the body of Christ at large. I have been on bed rest for 5 days now, and we do not cease to have our needs taken care of. I remember a few years ago, when I was so sick in the hospital, I would receive cards upon cards from people that were praying for me. I remember coming to a point where I didn't even recognize the people sending the cards, but they all would say... "we are friends of so & so, and we just wanted you to know that you are in our prayers." I remember thinking at that point in life that the body of Christ is very, very large. We forget often that God can use, even those that do not love him, to minister and serve. He holds the hearts of men in his hands.

Now is no different. I marvel at how God has sent people to do the things that were on my mile-long to-do list when I have not even made those needs known to anyone, but God. I'm learning a lot about my God during this time, and one thing is that I can SEE how much God loves me, how much he really does care to provide for me, and our family.

I have had sweet girlfriends, friends, and family come clean up our home, others that have provided some meals for us, or when too far away, told us they were sending us a gift card to a restaurant instead. We have had people that have sent me gifts that have brightened my day up so much to recieve things in the mail, friends that have gotten my library card to go get books for me, others that have sent movies over to watch, a friend from down the street that went to the grocery store for us, many others that have offered to do couponing for me or another grocery run later. And there has been my family that have come to sit with me, make me lunch, friends to organize things in our nursery, and a friend that has brought her dog over to let Abe run out some energy in the back yard! It's been so much fun to see so many needs met through so many different people. I've had visitors in and out, which meets my social need tremendously!

It's a challenge, when I am such a doer to not be able to do things for myself, but at the same time, it is really, really sweet to watch others come so humble to serve. I feel a little like a hermit, because right now I cannot go anywhere, and I haven't been out of our house in 5 days. I'm not allowed to even walk to our mailbox. I cannot drive, so my mom has borrowed my car. I cannot go to church, which makes me really sad, BUT there are so many blessings and it could be so much worse.

I have been sick before, unable to do things for myself, because I have felt so bad. At least now, I do not feel bad. I just have to watch my blood pressure. haha! It's also an answer to prayer that my blood pressures have stayed mildly low-high. They haven't climbed any higher, so that is wonderful, because it means that my body is responding perfectly to the bed rest, which is giving our little baby more time to become as healthy as possible. Praise Jesus! I also can now sit up for short periods of time, and not lay down constantly, because the pressure readings are the same either way, as long as my feet are up and out.

I'm really thankful to God! I love you all!