Testimony Sunday a Time to Give Thanks

In preparation for Thanksgiving, Living Hope gathered on Sunday, November 21, for a service of giving thanks to the Lord for his great blessings. After a message on giving thanks, several members of the Living Hope community shared testimonies and did just that, thanking God for his provision in their lives. People gave thanks to God for his goodness during tough financial situations as well as difficult health and past and pending surgeries, and for being faithful in providing the support of friends, family, and church.

(For thoughts on the value of testimonies, check out Pastor Hamstra’s blog post.) 

One member to share her testimony was Katherine Stackhouse; she also read a poem she wrote called “Little Heart,” posted in its entirety at the bottom of this page. The poem, born out her personal experience over the summer, was written as a way to express how our hearts cannot handle everything, but God’s can. Stackhouse discussed the depth of care and love for her family, and the incredible ache that can result when you fail to let go of pain.

“I’ve learned to pray and just keep praying – even just saying it in your heart will make a world of difference,” Stackhouse said. “We all may not be able to spend hours and hours in prayer. But prayer can happen while you’re sitting anywhere at any given time and saying it repeatedly in your hearth. I know God knows our hearts. I know he heard my heart ache and scream. ... I won’t tell you to simply let things go when they are bothering you, but to remain forever prayerful in the matter. He’s listening all the time because he loves you and is interested in you. He made you and doesn’t take joy in seeing you hurt.”

Little Heart

What’s wrong, why are you beating so loudly?
This is no time to fret, you must care for yourself
You cannot handle the stress of the world on your shoulders, for it isn’t yours to bear
I know you love and care
You have your own Cross to share
Look up to the skies above, if you dare
You know He is there
Let Him repair
You must let it go
You cannot handle this so ...
Or soon it will soon be your time to go ...
You have to say ‘No’
Don’t you hear me?
I know you aren’t beating clearly ...
You have to pray so fervently ...
I know it’s hard, to let go
You have to let go, so that He may show
You who is better equipped, for situations such as this ...
There is nothing too big or too small ...
This you MUST know ...
For
He
IS
GOD.