Monday's Musings

I can make you a promise. 

You will encounter storms in life. No one's immune. We all go through them. 

The question is, how will you fare during them?

Right now, I'm in a stormy season of life. I can see the dark clouds looming. Both my parents and my husband's father are battling health issues. Some pretty serious ones. My father-in-law has lived longer than the doctors expected. We are so grateful. But the end is still coming. 

My mom is battling broken vertebrae and infections. My dad just had a seizure. He's never had one before. 

And I'm torn. 

I live 3 hours from my folks and just over 2 hours from my in-laws. I can't be at both places at once. 

And I have my kids to care for. To walk with through the valley of the shadow of death. This will be the first time they've lost someone close to them.

Sometimes the storms get old. We want a break. Relief. To come out on the other side. 

We will. But we don't know when. That's the hard part. We can begin to despair. To worry. To lose hope. To feel overwhelmed. 

I know. I've been there.

I have to admit, though, in the midst of all this, I'm strangely peaceful. The bible says we can have peace that passes understanding. I think that's what's going on with me. It sure isn't me who's making me peaceful. I'm really good at worrying.

But my circumstances are so hard, that I just know God's up to something. He doesn't give us more than we can bear. Although there are times we may think He has. 

It's during the trials, the storms, the pain, that we can learn to go to God for comfort. To ask what He wants us to learn. To ask that we live strong for Him. 

Eventually, the clouds will break. The storm will subside. 

And if we can look up, we may see a gorgeous rainbow over our rain soaked lives. Seeing it by our self is wonderful. But how much more when many others can see the rainbow and exclaim in excitement about how beautiful it is. About how God has worked through the storm.

I may have to put up pictures of rainbows around my house. Why? Because I want out of the storm like most people. 

That's not happening right now. So I need to keep my focus on the end result. On God. On eternity. 

And for me, the rainbow tells me that God will bring good out of the pain, the suffering, the heartache and the headaches. 

So, what about you? Are you willing to ask God for strength to make it through your storms? Have you seen the rainbow of comfort? 

I'd love if you want to share about a current struggle you're having or about a rainbow you saw after the struggle was over. 

And most importantly, remember that God's love for you isn't determined by whether or not your life is trouble free. No, His love is always there. Just sometimes we miss it. 

Praying for you to find strength to face another day. Another battle. 

And for a rainbow or two to appear above your rain soaked life. 

Mary

 

Wordless Wednesday

Duke's first snow....

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Monday's Musings

I'm sorry to those of you who follow my blog that I've been quiet recently. It's not that I haven't thought of you. I've missed visiting your blogs as well.

But I have a new assignment for a little while.

I have a wonderful father-in-law and mother-in-law.

They need my help.

You see, my father-in-law has pulmonary fibrosis. And it's in the late stages. So I'm here in their home spending time with them. Doing whatever I can to help out.

He doesn't have a lot of time left.

I'm not telling you about this to say how great I am. I'm not. I'm being blessed beyond measure.

My father-in-law is facing death with amazing grace. Sure, he has moments of being a little grumpy. He's entitled to that every so often as far as I'm concerned.

But he has peace. A peace that the bible describes as passing understanding. 

When he finds himself sad about things he can't do again, God whispers in his ear and says,
"Larry, be thankful for where you have been. You are blessed."

He told me that with deep emotion.

He's asked me to care for "his girl", his wife, after he's gone. We will.

I'm truly humbled to be here and witness this precious man face the end of his life. To make the most of every day. To be grateful for the smallest things. A good talk. Some tasty food. A good nap. A hospital bed delivered and set up.

God's using this time to in my life to help me see all of my life more clearly. I assume I have years ahead of me. But that's not promised.

But for now, I treasure the time spent here, learning from a man facing his maker, with peace. I'll have memories to carry me through the rough days ahead when I can't just pick up the phone and call him anymore. When my mother-in-law has a rough day; I'll be able to say, "Remember when..."

God has given me a wonderful gift. To walk with one of his faithful servants through the valley of the shadow of death.

I'll cry when he's gone for my sake because I'll miss him.

But I'll rejoice for him because he won't be suffering anymore. He'll be in the presence of God, in glory beyond what we can imagine.

So please accept my apologies for not posting regularly. I will get back to it. I do miss your blogs.

But I have an assignment. For a while. And I want to spend every moment I can right here. Smack in the center of God's will.

Tell anyone that you care about how much you love and appreciate them. You never know how long you or they have.

And if you want me to add you to my prayers, just leave me a comment. It will be my honor to pray for you as well.

Grace and peace,
Mary