"Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart:
and ye shall find rest unto your souls."
Matthew 11:29
The last couple days have been quite eventful as we prepared for Hurricane Helena here in Georgia. This was the first time I've ever been aware of a hurricane still being this active in our neck of the woods; in fact, it was odd to hear our nearby cities mentioned on the Weather Channel newscast. While we were blessed to be on the "clean" side and didn't get the winds and damage we had anticipated, it was an experience. I also know there were others who didn't fare as favorably as we did. We only lost one tree and thankfully it didn't damage our home too badly. Prepping was work though!
I can honestly say, I'm exhausted from the busyness of life the last couple weeks, coupled with the stressors of prepping for the hurricane and dealing with the emotions of celebrating, grieving and remembering. I could use a long nap. I'm the sensitive type and these things tend to affect me more than others. I know this and am okay with it; I'm learning to adjust. It's work though!
I'm not seeking sympathy, but today is usually a hard day to work through as well. Today is our daughter's birthday...and marks our seventh year of doing life without our son. Forever 24!
So, this evening was set aside and we deliberately celebrated as a family. I made the requested pot of chicken and sausage gumbo and creamy potato salad for family dinner, followed by a decadent red-velvet cheesecake. It was work to prepare it all, but I enjoyed every moment because I was doing it all with extra doses of love. It was also a nice treat to be able to enjoy each other's company and big hugs before we parted. The cherry on top for me!
Today, I personally celebrated the fact that God has been with me faithfully all my life, but in an extra-special way over the last seven years. I suppose He never changed; however, I was provided with the opportunity to know Him in a different way - and that CHANGED EVERYTHING. As I look back and thank Him for the memories I cherish and the love I still have for the son I cannot wrap my arms around anymore, I also give Him praise and thanks for showing Himself to me in totally personal ways I might never had experienced if He hadn't allowed me to walk this road.
Hard isn't easy, but it can be rewarding.
It hasn't been easy and if I could've changed the story line, I most probably would have. Actually, I'm pretty sure we'd all skip the hard places in life and the processes which God uses to draw us closer to Him - we're human after all and none like those spaces of life. Right? Wouldn't we all admit that truth if we were honest with one another? It's work to get through some days!
I don't have a lot more to say today, except I'm so grateful God can use "all the things" for our good and His glory. He is so faithful to teach us how to walk with Him in the storms of life, through the darkest nights and the hard seasons, and to bring us into beautiful places in Him where we can experience joy and peace "even if" and "in spite of."
God gives us tests so we can have testimonies and victories to help encourage one another on the hard days.
He is SO faithful and I can say without reservation, "It is well with my soul." I can say this because I know WHO He is and WHAT He has done for and in me. I wouldn't want to do this life without Him. EVER!
It's a great day to be alive, and to remember why I'm grateful, and for the blessings I've been given. It's a great day to speak well of the Lord and to be okay with having to work hard and go through the tough stuff occasionally - as long as I'm yoked up with my Lord. It's a beautiful day to say my soul is at rest and I've found peace in Jesus because I've learned more about Him in every difficult stage of life. What more could I ask for? When I'm walking with my Lord, I can do the hard work, because I'm not doing it alone - it's like on the job training as I learn from Him. Then, when I'm too tired or my heart is overwhelmed, He will give me rest...more than the physical kind...it's the deep down, settled in my heart, kind of rest.
It is well with my soul...even with a tear in my eye...God is ever faithful. I'm looking forward to laying my head on my pillow tonight and enjoying rest which only God can give. Hope you experience the same~
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