My dad at my daughter's birthday. |
My dad had a stroke on Mother’s day. It seems weird to see that sentence typed on
my screen. Eight words that are just letters from the alphabet, but those
little letters arranged in that certain way have changed my family. Right now there are so many questions and “what
if” thoughts rolling around in my head.
There are simply not enough answers to solve all the problems that my
mom and dad face right now. At times all
these circumstances can leave me feeling overwhelmed and inadequate.
Since Easter, my daughter had an emergency appendectomy. My father-in-law had an emergency gallbladder
removal and now my dad’s stroke. We are
all so thankful that they are with us today.
I cannot put into words my deep gratitude to God for His hand of
protection. But, I have been traveling
on an emotional roller coaster and I am ready for the ride to be done. When life hits hard like it has my family or
when we find ourselves being attacked by the enemy, how do I react?
Easter 2011 |
During times like this, it becomes very clear what I cannot
do. I cannot keep bad things from happening. I cannot control outcomes. I even cannot kiss it and make it all better. I feel so helpless and at
times frustrated. There is only one sure
thing I can do or control through all of "life" stuff and that is my reaction.
My reaction is a choice.
Sure I have many feelings that flow through me during rough,
discouraging, and hard times some of them not so good…hey I am only human. But how I express those feelings is what I
can control. I choose to react the way
God would have me to react. Sometimes
that can be genuinely hard to
do, especially when you are really angry or hurt. Gods just simply asks us to trust even in the
middle of tough things.
Christmas program 2011 |
The last few days, I have been reminded about how much God
loves me. Not only does He love me, but
He also gives me everything I need. He
provides for me spiritually, emotionally, physically and mentally. He brings friends and family to carry my
family and encourage us. He is all and
does more than we can imagine. He holds
us in the palm of His hand.
Starting a new church in the months ahead is a lot of
work. All these seemingly bad things
that have happened in the last month and half could really discourage John and
I and distract us. However, I have to
know that no matter what we face God is on our side. He has strengthened my resolve. He has strengthened my determination. And when I have done all (Eph. 6), I have
decided …..I will stand firm.
Bay City last fall 2011 |
I was told during boot camp that we would face difficult times and attacks from Satan. I really did not like hearing those words. I cringed just at the thought of it. In fact, I quickly buried those thoughts. Of course, nobody wants to deal with stuff like that, I am no different. I really like what George Wood posted on his facebook recently, “ (Man, I needed to hear that today!)
I read this verse about a week ago and I think God gave it
to me for this very season of my life. I've been meaning to blog about this verse. I just did not know this is how this blog would unfold.
Psalm 116
1 I love the Lord because he hears my voice
and my prayer for mercy.
2 Because he bends down to listen,
I will pray as long as I have breath!
and my prayer for mercy.
2 Because he bends down to listen,
I will pray as long as I have breath!
I have prayed this as a prayer
constantly since I read it. Little did I know how much I needed those few words
written on paper so long ago and how they would impact my life right now.
I love the image of God in this
passage. I see Him as a dad bending down
to help His daughter. My Father not
only loves me, He bends down to me, hears me, and takes care of me. He is working all things together for my good
and for my family’s good. He has called
me and I will answer that call.
In bad times, good times, I will pray
to my Jesus as long as He gives me breath!
GET JOY!
We're praying for your family.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much Carrie!
DeleteChristina,
ReplyDeleteThe tears run down my face, your words flood me with encouragement, and I am taking, yet again, a few moments to thank God for blessing me with a friend and church family member in you. I feel like I have a million things to say but need to just sit silent for a while and soak this up...letting God use these very words in your blog post for His purpose within me as He desires. That is one of the reasons you blog...to encourage. You have done that :)
You bless me, Mary!
DeleteI feel like you and I are going through some similar battles these days. Someone told us recently, "It seems like ever since Keith applied to be a deacon, your family has been under attack."
ReplyDeleteThanks for posting the verses from Psalm 116...
God is bigger than all this!
Yes, He is bigger!
DeletePhooey. That last comment was from me. I forgot to put my name!
ReplyDeleteJoni