Meet Julie Sunne, a beautiful mama and woman of incredible faith. She has experienced loss on a level that takes my breath away.Ā Just this weekend someone I love experienced this loss and I was blessed personally by Julie’s story.
Restoring My Dance
Long ago, I thought I knew what an abundant life looked like.
I believed abundance rested with the way my days played out in this dance of life.
A āgoodā life as defined by an enjoyable job, adorable family, comfortable home, relative health was an abundant life.
Yet it didnāt take long for that definition to be shattered and for me to be left grasping for something that made sense.
As a young wife, my dance through life was interrupted when my husband and I experienced the first of five miscarriages. Pain and grief engulfed my heart.Ā Any pretense of an abundant life quickly disappeared.
Life became a roller coaster of emotions. Gratitude at the birth of each live child; bitterness at the loss of each unborn.Ā Then our third child and only daughter was diagnosed with significant lifetime disabilities.
The music quit. The dance ended.
That is until God used Rachel, my little blessing in disguise, to point me to the source of all true abundance.
It was then I started letting the God of grace take the lead in my lifeās dance and become the well-spring of my joy and peace.
An abundant life began to make sense in a new and exciting way.
I began to understand that Jesus Christ didnāt just die on the cross to secure my salvation (as incredible as that is), but to also give me an earthly life of abundance.
He died so I could thrive, not only in my future heavenly home, but also in my present broken and difficult circumstances.
Let me repeat that: God wants me (and you) to flourish right in the midst of my (your) hard!
But honestly, knowing that doesnāt make it instantly easy. My days are not suddenly rosy. I will still never get to hold my 5 unborn children, and Rachel (16) will need special care all of her life.
My dayās blessings still too easily get lost in its happenings.
But the truth remains: God’s “mercies never end” (Lamentations 3:22) and His “grace is sufficient” (2 Corinthians 10:9), and He is enough.
The promise of joy and peace and meaning in the midst of lifeās brokenness through the grace of the Lord Jesus Christāsuch a gift!
Now as I daily gather my manna and refocus on the Source of all goodness, it is an honor to share the truth and blessings of this abundant life with others as well.
LOVE LOVE LOVE seeing sweet Julie on the blog today! My heart breaks for her loss but at the same time my own heart mends from her encouragement as a fellow special needs mom. Thank you for sharing your story and encouraging us to live free, sweet friend!
Walking alongside other moms and dads in the beautiful but messy job of raising our precious children is an honor and a privilege, Kim (and at this stage in my walk, I honestly mean that)!
Julie, who knew that this would be exactly the blog post I’D need to read today. Dancing with Jesus sounds like a beautiful gift in the midst of loss. Thank you for your story.
I was thinking this very thing as I read, Suzie. Prayers!
As you know, Suzie and Crystal, it’s the only gift that makes a lasting differencel. Love to you both.
LOVE seeing Julie’s story on the blog today, Suzie… thank you for sharing! And this: “Now as I daily gather my manna and refocus on the Source of all goodness, it is an honor to share the truth and blessings of this abundant life with others as well”…. WOWUH! Absolutely adore this statement… it gives me chills! I needed this reminder today, to redirect my focus on the One who offers abundant life!
Our lives are a bit distracting. I’m sure you’ve noticed, Crystal. š Daily refocusing on the Lord is essential for remaining near to Him in our walk.
Suzie, I’m so sorry for the loss of your precious grandchild. As we move through this earthly life we often dance this balance of sorrow and joy. But in Christ we always have reason to rejoice. Praising God that our unborn children/grandchildren are dancing in His arms, free from our imperfect and difficult dance.
It’s a privilege and a blessing to be sharing my story on your blog. Thank you for the honor.
Thank you for sharing your story! I have a dear friend whose daughter has severe disabilities and I’m always amazed at the fruit that loving and caring for her has brought for the whole family.
Yes indeed. Gather hour manna for the day. I can’t imagine your losses. Yet I care. Hugs. Susan