In the mix of all this craziness, we were so saddened when Derrick's Uncle passed away very unexpectedly...just when we were looking forward to seeing him on Thanksgiving. Also, in the midst of it, got news that my Dad has prostate cancer.
I'm not going to say that the past few weeks haven't been stressful or wearisome, but through it all, God's faithfulness has seen me through! God never promised that this life wouldn't be hard, but He does assure us in His word that He will give us the strength to sustain us, grace to calm us, and thank God for the joy that comes in the morning! I truly can't imagine life that chooses not to embrace Him. Where do they find their peace? In their family? What happens when one of their family members pass away? In their drug of choice? What happens when the high wares off? In what do they hope? Just a fun filled life that will end in death and boom it's all over? To whom do they place their trust? I don't think there is a human alive that will not let you down in one way or another. Even if your scientific mind cannot wrap around the proof of a loving God that they read about in the Bible, what do you have to lose to place your trust in Him? That's the whole point, your relationship with Jesus comes from faith...believing in the things you cannot see.
I have been through many difficult things in my life, and in comparison to some they may seem minor, I know things can always be worse. However, even in just the day to day of life...dealing with teenager's attitudes or 5 year old melt downs I can assure you that the only thing that gets me through is experiencing the love of my Creator. By growing closer to Him through His word every day and leaning on the promises that are all throughout His Word. I have experienced His peace in the midst of turmoil and oh my goodness how I rejoice when I see His daily blessings in my life!
I pray that my children will grow in the Lord every day so that they too will know His peace, grace, unconditional love, mercy, patience, strength and faithfulness! So that they will know, regardless of their circumstances, that their Creator knows about every single detail in their lives and wants to give them a hope and a good future (Jeremiah 29:11)!
I was unable to be at church Sunday morning because of Samuel being sick, but I know Jesus was smiling big as Carmen led her favorite worship song in church! Yep! This makes a mama gleam!
I say all of the above, not to be whining about my last couple of months but to encourage you to think about what's getting you through? Is it satisfying? Will it always be there? Can you rely on it no matter what? In this season of Thankfulness, I have to say I am most thankful for my relationship with Jesus. I am so undeserving of His love, and yet He continues to love me...not only that, He chooses to bless me time and time again. There is a new song that I love that says,
Just to know You and
To make You known
We lift Your name on High
Shine like the sun make darkness run and hide
We know we were made for so much more
Than ordinary lives
It's time for us to more than just survive
We were made to thrive
I want so much more than just to survive! I want to thrive!
I want this for you too!