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About Me

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Janine Claire Robinson
Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Welcome to my little writing corner. I count my many blessings to be a cherished wife and an ever-learning-loving-growing mother to 3 amazing children this side of Heaven and a precious little boy in Heaven. Together as a family we pastor a precious church community called Redeeming Hope Church. I've had the privilege of loving and following Jesus Christ since my earliest memories as a child. No matter what I've gone through in life, He has always been so present. At heart, I'm an encourager ... so this is a place where I get to wear my heart on my sleeve and share my journey of learning to live a life of love in action.

The Door of Hope

We are learning so much as a family right now. In the midst of our pain, the Lord is continually reaching out to us through so many loving people. It is a month today since Zac was born and tomorrow a month since he beat us to Heaven :0) During this last month the Lord has showed us what "love in action" looks like as people have ministered to us through meals, message, flowers, phone calls, prayers and visits. I have been so deeply touched by so many people who have walked the road of losing a child who have contacted us to encourage us. It once again shows me how God never ever wastes any of our pain. These precious people have come along side us and shared their stories with us. It has touched my heart so deeply that most of the people who have written to me have never met me, yet they are willing to share such a vulnerable part of their hearts with us in telling us their stories. What an encouragement to see how God is faithful to heal the broken hearted. I understand more fully now how we overcome the enemy by the blood of the Lamb and the word of our testimony. Testimony has the ability to break down walls and crush the enemy. It declares how BIG God really is even in the midst of pain or suffering. 
When we were in Cape Town, very dear friends of ours who also said goodbye to their precious little boy at his birth this year reached out to us and gave us hope. They even came to cry and pray with us the night Zac passed away. We were so humbled by their willingness to be there with us, so soon after having been in our position. In the midst of their pain they demonstrated the hope and peace God gives to those who turn to Him.
Again yesterday, another couple who walked this path 5 years ago flew in to see us for one afternoon just to encourage us and share their story of how God brought them through. They flew all the way to share a verse that has so deeply encouraged us and I want to encourage you with this message of hope today. 
"Therefore, behold, I will allure her (Israel) and bring her into the wilderness, and I will speak tenderly and to her heart. There I will give her her vineyards and make the Valley of Achor (troubling) to be for her a door of hope and expectation. And she shall sing there and respond as in the days of her youth and as at the time when she came up out of the land of Egypt."
Hosea 2:14-15
There is just so much that speaks to my heart in these two simple verses. The first thing that stands out to me is how God allures us at times, into the wilderness, to speak tenderly to our hearts. It is even in the place of the wilderness that he gives us our vineyards - a place of life and growth! Isn't it amazing how God works so differently to how we see life. The wilderness represents loneliness, heat, even barrenness to us, but to God it is the place where only He can produce a place of fruitfulness and life. He also speaks tenderly to our hearts in these desolate place. 
This verse also tells us that God is able to make the places of our trouble to be a door of hope and expectation for us. I see that through the many messages of encouragement that come through to me from those who have lost loved ones. They know the pain but also can testify to the life and hope that God brings even through our pain.
Whatever it is that you are facing today - God is able to meet you in your wilderness and speak tenderly to your heart ... words of hope and life. May you hear His gentle whispers and find strength and perspective in His love.
All my love,
Janine

Comments

Anonymous said…
Isn't God so great at letting you know He sees your hurts and wants to carry you? God bless
Tracy
Anonymous said…
My darling friend, here you are encouraging everyone else.... may YOU and your family find hope and hear His whispers of Love.... xx
Anonymous said…
My darling friend, here you are encouraging everyone else.... may YOU and your family find hope and hear His whispers of Love.... xx
EJN said…
Janine,
Thank you for this post, what an encouragement to see the hand of the Lord in your lives and you so open to His leading. It is beautiful. Our prayers are with you.
In Him,
Jojo
Heather said…
I'm so sorry for the loss of your son. But you know - I wonder what kind of "heart miracle" the story of Zac has worked in others? Certainly it's done a number on my own heart.
Aritha V. said…
Thank you for this beautiful and hopeful blog. In my life is much grief, and we live in an uncertain situation. That's why your blog touched my heart. YES! God is able to meet me in the wilderness, and to speak to my heart. Words of hope and life.

Thank you for this encouragement!
I wish you and your family the blessing of the Lord. He is the One who lifts your head. ( psalm 3)
La Reine said…
Great message.
Clearly I don't visit this blog often enough.
oh, sweet Janine! I have had you on my heart and wondered why...we had a crazy summer with God doing some unexpected things in our lives so i am just getting back on the blog sphere. Oh Janine, my heart breaks with you--my best friend went through the exact thing 3 years ago and will never ever forget those 24 special, yet oh-so hard hours.
I wouldn't dare speak into your pain or pretend i understand. But please know i am praying for you and your sweet family and love you--please let me know if i can do anything for you.Thank you for being courageous enough to share your story. xo,llj
Carol F said…
My Darling Girl, your heart is an open book full of love & encouragement and so refreshing in the tough times that our journey of life takes us - Love you my whole heart forever my Queen.
Mom x
Carol F said…
My Darling Girl, Your words of love and encouragement are so refreshing in the tough times of our journey of life - My heart is with you always forever.
Mom x

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