The Unexpected

The summer was unexpected. While it did not go as planned things are good. All the most important things are great. Sydney has started 2nd grade with enthusiasm, Violet has entered the threes with as much personality as she can muster, and Luke is crawling and exploring everything like a good nine month old. We have food to eat, clothes on our backs, and a roof over our heads (even if it wasn't ours every night this summer.) We are all healthy, together, and filled with joy. How do I find joy when life is uncertain and things don't go as planned? Well, after throwing a little fit and complaining I try to remember to go to my knees.

To remember that God will not forsake me and that He is faithful. As a mom the hardest part is when things effect my kids. Of course, I must remember that as much as I try to meet their needs, as much as I love them, as much as I try to do my best to guide them, raise them, feed them, etc. that God loves them more, cares for them more, and understands them more than I ever can. If you know our story, you know it has been a road of the unexpected. Nothing as serious as what others go through but not what we had planned either. Shane and I sometimes joke that if we make plans for more than 6 months they will definitely not happen. We love to dream together but we have learned to hold our dreams loosely and allow God's plan to triumph our own.

Proverbs 3:5-6 “Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge Him, and he shall direct your paths.”

Proverbs 19:21 "There are many plans in a man's heart, Nevertheless the Lord's counsel--that will stand."

A few things stand out in my mind from this summer's journey. This has been a time for us to grow even closer as a family. We were separated Monday thru Friday for a few weeks and it really helped us appreciate our time together even more. Being seven, Sydney will remember the way we faced this summer with prayer and how we learned to ask for help. We love to help others but it is humbling to learn how to ask for help when you need it and accepting it with grace is even harder.

I have fallen in love with my husband again. We were doing fine, things were good, but we were focusing on the to do lists and business of life too much. God opened my eyes to how lucky I am to be married to my best friend. I love spending time with Shane. I love sharing this life with him. He is such an amazing husband and father. He helps me so much and does so much for our family. He is considerate, loving, and thoughtful. I am so thankful that I get to share this life with him.

I am sure there are more lessons to learn. I could have been more patient and less angry. Sometimes during a trail we see the uglier sides of our flesh surface. God is merciful to gently show these to me and faithful to help work on turning those sins into Christlikeness.

Last night I read this verse:

II Corinthians 1:3-4 "Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our tribulation, that we may be able to comfort those who are in any trouble, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God."

As if I haven't learned enough God will use me and allow me to be a part of comforting others during their troubles. How exciting! To Him be all the glory!

I hope your summer has been filled with joy. And that each of you have had opportunities to grow closer to God and those you love.