Comments on: Things I Haven’t Had To Face http://www.bradruggles.com/2008/08/07/things-i-havent-had-to-face/ The Art of Living Tue, 16 Mar 2010 10:16:49 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Blogs I’m Reading & Link Love - betterthanblank http://www.bradruggles.com/2008/08/07/things-i-havent-had-to-face/comment-page-1/#comment-2819 Blogs I’m Reading & Link Love - betterthanblank Fri, 22 Aug 2008 18:04:01 +0000 http://www.bradruggles.com/?p=625#comment-2819 [...] Church stuff, family stuff, music stuff, computer stuff, life stuff, whatever. I really enjoyed this post, it challenged me. And I loved this post because it reminded me of my days as a youth [...] [...] Church stuff, family stuff, music stuff, computer stuff, life stuff, whatever. I really enjoyed this post, it challenged me. And I loved this post because it reminded me of my days as a youth [...]

]]> By: Brandee http://www.bradruggles.com/2008/08/07/things-i-havent-had-to-face/comment-page-1/#comment-2414 Brandee Fri, 08 Aug 2008 18:10:50 +0000 http://www.bradruggles.com/?p=625#comment-2414 Things I've never dealt with: - Loss of a parent or sibling. - Divorce of parents. - Fire (house fire, etc.) - Substance abuse. - Loss of a child. - Loss of faith. - Loss of trust. I have a list of things that I've been faced with personally in the past two years. Divorce, cancer, job loss, unemployment, theft, vandalism... and although I have hit low points where I hated who I was and where I felt I was "stuck" in life, I was gently reminded repeatedly that God had my hand through everything. He let me scream and yell and cry... and just stood there, probably with his hands on his hips, saying "Are you done yet? We have work to do, missy!" I don't like these challenges... but they've made me realize I can do anything I set my mind to... and I now realize the importance of taking a step back and thanking God for every moment. Things I’ve never dealt with:
– Loss of a parent or sibling.
– Divorce of parents.
– Fire (house fire, etc.)
– Substance abuse.
– Loss of a child.
– Loss of faith.
– Loss of trust.

I have a list of things that I’ve been faced with personally in the past two years. Divorce, cancer, job loss, unemployment, theft, vandalism… and although I have hit low points where I hated who I was and where I felt I was “stuck” in life, I was gently reminded repeatedly that God had my hand through everything. He let me scream and yell and cry… and just stood there, probably with his hands on his hips, saying “Are you done yet? We have work to do, missy!”

I don’t like these challenges… but they’ve made me realize I can do anything I set my mind to… and I now realize the importance of taking a step back and thanking God for every moment.

]]> By: JudiFree.com http://www.bradruggles.com/2008/08/07/things-i-havent-had-to-face/comment-page-1/#comment-2387 JudiFree.com Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:58:39 +0000 http://www.bradruggles.com/?p=625#comment-2387 My list looks alot like yours. THe hardest thing I've endured is a miscarriage in february. it was gut-wrenching...still is actually. And now, my biggest struggle is now trying to conceive again. I do feel so blessed though and we see so much beauty from ashes! JudiFree.coms last blog post..<a href="http://judifree.com/2008/08/07/doubtfully-saved/" rel="nofollow">Doubtfully Saved</a> My list looks alot like yours.

THe hardest thing I’ve endured is a miscarriage in february. it was gut-wrenching…still is actually. And now, my biggest struggle is now trying to conceive again.

I do feel so blessed though and we see so much beauty from ashes!

JudiFree.coms last blog post..Doubtfully Saved

]]> By: Lisa @ put-it-on-the-list http://www.bradruggles.com/2008/08/07/things-i-havent-had-to-face/comment-page-1/#comment-2386 Lisa @ put-it-on-the-list Thu, 07 Aug 2008 20:49:24 +0000 http://www.bradruggles.com/?p=625#comment-2386 My parents could have written a book on clean divorce; I've never seen another couple handle it as well as they did. Now I only have my dad to talk to about it; I lost my mom in 2004. My husband and I went through almost four years of unemployment and underemployment, completely surrounded by God's grace and provision (never lost our house or even a car in the process). There are lots of things I haven't been through, but the things I have been through are things God has used in the lives of others over and over, so it's easy to see why He would allow those obstacles in my life. I laugh when people say my puny faith is somehow larger than, well, whatever. You only have to have faith to put one foot in front of the other and trust God to be there for that one step. That's all. And that's not so hard, right? =) My parents could have written a book on clean divorce; I’ve never seen another couple handle it as well as they did. Now I only have my dad to talk to about it; I lost my mom in 2004.

My husband and I went through almost four years of unemployment and underemployment, completely surrounded by God’s grace and provision (never lost our house or even a car in the process).

There are lots of things I haven’t been through, but the things I have been through are things God has used in the lives of others over and over, so it’s easy to see why He would allow those obstacles in my life.

I laugh when people say my puny faith is somehow larger than, well, whatever. You only have to have faith to put one foot in front of the other and trust God to be there for that one step. That’s all. And that’s not so hard, right? =)

]]> By: tam http://www.bradruggles.com/2008/08/07/things-i-havent-had-to-face/comment-page-1/#comment-2385 tam Thu, 07 Aug 2008 19:44:24 +0000 http://www.bradruggles.com/?p=625#comment-2385 i feel ya. totally. compared to most...ive had a life of luxury - even with the worst i have no right to complain. and like mandy said...i thank God for the worst - it has taught me much, like compassion, which i desperately needed. tams last blog post..<a href="http://kassota.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/fill-in-friday-on-video-hmmm/" rel="nofollow">fill-in-friday on video. hmmm.</a> i feel ya. totally. compared to most…ive had a life of luxury – even with the worst i have no right to complain. and like mandy said…i thank God for the worst – it has taught me much, like compassion, which i desperately needed.

tams last blog post..fill-in-friday on video. hmmm.

]]> By: Kelli Brownlee http://www.bradruggles.com/2008/08/07/things-i-havent-had-to-face/comment-page-1/#comment-2382 Kelli Brownlee Thu, 07 Aug 2008 16:24:26 +0000 http://www.bradruggles.com/?p=625#comment-2382 Ive lost a child, been unemployed, been hungry with no food, and need a new home as we speak. Through all of this God is still faithful Kelli Brownlees last blog post..<a href="http://kelliinreallife.typepad.com/weblog/2008/08/a-prayer-journa.html" rel="nofollow">A Prayer Journal</a> Ive lost a child, been unemployed, been hungry with no food, and need a new home as we speak.

Through all of this God is still faithful

Kelli Brownlees last blog post..A Prayer Journal

]]> By: Zack http://www.bradruggles.com/2008/08/07/things-i-havent-had-to-face/comment-page-1/#comment-2380 Zack Thu, 07 Aug 2008 15:32:16 +0000 http://www.bradruggles.com/?p=625#comment-2380 I think it's great to recognize God's goodness in your life, and to enjoy this season while it lasts, but also to live with the awareness that it won't always be this way. Jesus said, "In this world you will have trouble." I think He meant *big* trouble. You're phone will ring some day, and a new season will start. So I don't think you need to feel guilty. Rejoice while today is today, and when tomorrow (or 10 years down the road) comes, say, "I knew this was coming, and I've been preparing for it." My two cents... I think it’s great to recognize God’s goodness in your life, and to enjoy this season while it lasts, but also to live with the awareness that it won’t always be this way.

Jesus said, “In this world you will have trouble.”

I think He meant *big* trouble. You’re phone will ring some day, and a new season will start.
So I don’t think you need to feel guilty. Rejoice while today is today, and when tomorrow (or 10 years down the road) comes, say, “I knew this was coming, and I’ve been preparing for it.”

My two cents…

]]> By: Sean http://www.bradruggles.com/2008/08/07/things-i-havent-had-to-face/comment-page-1/#comment-2379 Sean Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:59:59 +0000 http://www.bradruggles.com/?p=625#comment-2379 All I can do is praise God for the struggles that I go through right now. My RL interaction with other believers is non-existent, my only fellowship, though very limited, is via the internet. My home is a place where I am the only believer. My only regular communication is my daily time with God, through that He is teaching me about OUR relationship with Him. I thank God for that daily. All I can do is praise God for the struggles that I go through right now. My RL interaction with other believers is non-existent, my only fellowship, though very limited, is via the internet. My home is a place where I am the only believer. My only regular communication is my daily time with God, through that He is teaching me about OUR relationship with Him. I thank God for that daily.

]]> By: Linny Best http://www.bradruggles.com/2008/08/07/things-i-havent-had-to-face/comment-page-1/#comment-2378 Linny Best Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:58:55 +0000 http://www.bradruggles.com/?p=625#comment-2378 I am like you, haven't gone through too much in my life so far and pray that I don't have to. My parents seperated for just a little while, so I've had a glimpse into that expierence and don't ever wish that upon anyone. My husband lost his job and we were out for 10 months, but we now see that God provided the whole time and He gave Dale a job that he is good at and will grow and have fun. God always comes through, it's just His timing that sometimes sucks in our own opinion. I'm thankful too for the struggles that I've had to face and thankful for the struggles that I haven't had to face. Both ways makes me grow. Linny Bests last blog post..<a href="http://daleandlinny.blogspot.com/2008/08/this-day-in-history-nyc-traffic-jam.html" rel="nofollow">This Day In History :: NYC Traffic Jam :: 1974</a> I am like you, haven’t gone through too much in my life so far and pray that I don’t have to. My parents seperated for just a little while, so I’ve had a glimpse into that expierence and don’t ever wish that upon anyone. My husband lost his job and we were out for 10 months, but we now see that God provided the whole time and He gave Dale a job that he is good at and will grow and have fun. God always comes through, it’s just His timing that sometimes sucks in our own opinion.

I’m thankful too for the struggles that I’ve had to face and thankful for the struggles that I haven’t had to face. Both ways makes me grow.

Linny Bests last blog post..This Day In History :: NYC Traffic Jam :: 1974

]]> By: Michael http://www.bradruggles.com/2008/08/07/things-i-havent-had-to-face/comment-page-1/#comment-2377 Michael Thu, 07 Aug 2008 14:54:16 +0000 http://www.bradruggles.com/?p=625#comment-2377 Anne Jackson's blog did that for me today... there is just no way I can personally relate... all I can do is figure out how to help. Michaels last blog post..<a href="http://justanotherminute.wordpress.com/2008/08/07/dedication/" rel="nofollow">Dedication</a> Anne Jackson’s blog did that for me today… there is just no way I can personally relate… all I can do is figure out how to help.

Michaels last blog post..Dedication

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