He is for you

 Several years ago a friend gifted me with a door hanger in the form of a chalkboard cross.  I hung it on our basement door, and in January of every year, I write a scripture reference or statement for the year on it.  It stays for the year (usually, 2020 was an exception).

For 2021, I wrote.

He is for you, and He knows what He is doing.

What a year to cling to that!

    In August, we learned of three men who entered the hospital with COVID, and not one of them is fully recovered today as I type this in December.  All have had scary scary situations leading to legitimate fear amongst their loved ones that they would not survive.  The one closest to us is home with his family now, and we continue to pray for his lungs to fully recover.  He went into the hospital on August 2nd and finally got to return to his children in early December.  His wife was a rock, sending out prayer points and spending her days at his side as much as protocols allowed her to.  

    Just days after our friend got released from rehab, my husband's hometown was utterly destroyed by tornadoes.  We learned of the horrors from afar as people begged others to check in on Facebook when trying to account for friends and neighbors.  Andy made it there to drop of supplies and offer hugs and support. He said you can't grasp the scope of a town almost gone from the storms from merely seeing the pictures.  The residents are supposed to get their destroyed homes to the curb so that they can be hauled off, but that will require heavy machinery with telephone poles and trees down and in the way.  Andy is not sure this community will come back.  He figures many will resettle elsewhere.

    I can barely stand to listen to the news as it is just so grim all the time.

    My job has dramatically changed in such a way that I don't believe I can stay, and that has been difficult and really painful.  I have really grieved the situation as I prepare to let go of an almost 29 year career that I loved for 27 of those years.

    However, there have been real highs this year.  Love poured out on those hurting communities warms the heart.  I have three kids experiencing really great things.  They are mostly past the COVID protocols.  Wyatt graduated high school and started college, an experience he is truly enjoying.  Savannah finished her master's degree and took a job that she loves.  Julia started her senior year as class president, and she is really shining in that role.   She has chosen a college and locked in a room and roommate.  

    As we wrap up this year and prepare our hearts to welcome our Savior, I am pondering all the hard that this year has been and trying to rejoice in all the good.  I am trying to remember that despite it all He is indeed for us, and He knows what He is doing!

Unmerited Favor and Grace

 

It has been a month of exhausting highs and lows here in our household.  Yes, it has been a hot sec since I last posted.  I have some objectives today.

I added a car key and diagram of a car accident to our shadow box today (See the Fingerprints of God) post.  On 8/2 Savannah was involved in a hit and run accident.  She was hit from behind by a truck while traveling in the middle lane of a three lane highway.  She lost control of her vehicle and swerved to the right onto the shoulder and then her vehicle rolled to the left landing upside down in the far left-hand lane.  

So many miracles: 

• she didn't end up in oncoming traffic
• the car was not hit a second time
• she exited the vehicle on the traffic side without being hit
• her injuries were soreness and bruising, no embedded glass

In short order she has been tasked with finding a car (done)  and housing (could use some prayer here) as she prepares to start a new job. 

Why did I call this post "Unmerited Favor and Grace?" I did so because we don't deserve to get the good news that our daughter is okay after such an accident any more than our friends deserved to get the bad news that their son was shot to death this month.  We aren't special... but God.  May He be glorified in this.

I also write this post to ask that you pray.  In the last two weeks, I have learned of two fairly young adults who have died from COVID.  I can name three men who are currently in ICU and have been for weeks fighting organ shut down and for their lives against COVID.  All three of them have children elementary aged or younger. Please pray for them.  Pray that God would be glorified in the lives of these servants.  Please ask that they fully recover and raise the children entrusted to them. Pray for the strength and peace their brides need and for loving, trustworthy caregivers for their children. Pray for the words used in the presence of their children that they would not cause undo fear and anxiety.  Pray for wisdom for the medical staff attending to them.  Pray for rest for the weary in this battle.  Pray that God's will be done. Please pray, pray, pray.