It has been two years already. Time flies faster than I could ever imagine it could. Two years ago, we were getting ready for a special visitor. What we got instead was news that would forever change our lives. Our beloved father, PopPop, friend, brother in Christ was taken home much earlier than we could have thought. It WAS HIS time, and we can see that a little clearer now. Somehow God chose to take him home and leave us behind to learn to trust. The life of our little family got significantly harder and we are still in the throws of trial and grief on the same level, but much more added. I still do not understand God's way with us, and sometimes feel like a hurt child who wants to climb into the arms of my heavenly Father. And I just want to rest there for awhile. I am thankful the my Father in heaven is one who wants me to do just that. Thankful that I CAN rest for while. And in the meantime, He surly takes care of His own. My mother-in-law has seen God move this week in a sweet way. Psalm 68:5 tells us He is "Father to the fatherless and protector of the widow". God has provided a brand new furnace free of charge to her! It IS miraculous. God does protect us and He will be a husband to the husbandless. And this wasn't the only way in which God has shown is love for her. What a God we serve. This past week, we officially joined our church and have been writing our statements of faith. One precious church member gave this as her statement, and there really are no better words than these to state what we believe. What a comfort these words are to me as we ponder God and His mighty ways. From the Heidelberg Catechism, Question 1: "What is my only comfort in life and death? That I am not my own, but belong - body and soul, in life and in death - to my faithful Savior Jesus Christ. He has fully paid for all my sins with His precious blood, and has set me free from the tyranny of the devil. He also watches over me in such a way that not a hair can fall from my head without the will of my Father in heaven: in fact, ALL things must work together for my salvation. Because I belong to him, Christ, by his Holy Spirit, assures me of eternal life and makes me wholeheartedly willing and ready from now on to live for Him."
Tom is in the hands of our precious Lord and Savior, basking in His grace face to face with his Father. We rejoice for him and wait eagerly for the day we can see him again. We remember Tom's amazing heart for his Savior, for prayer and care for those around him. We miss you. Everyday.
Through all, this particular household has felt the cosmic warfare around us. It's thick and we are right in the middle of it. The only way I know how to walk through this is to get on my knees in heartfelt gratitude for the ways in which my God loves me. Sharon and I decided to put out a journal on the kitchen table so we all can write down our gratitude together; rejoice for each other in the small things and in the big. I am looking back and realize it was one year ago today that I journaled my last gift on this list. And, it is no wonder I feel far from gracious these days. Praying for God to change my heart and to help me remember ALL that HE HAS done.
So we have picked up our pen, and the list continues...
#198 gentle reminders from the Holy Spirit
#199 coffee with friends
#200 Knox and my family (Gracie)
#201 Food (Kathryn)
#202 Brand New Furnace...FREE!! (Sharon)
#203 Truck sold!! (Sharon)
#204 God (Gracie)
#205 Food!! (Mikey) I guess they are hungry kids!!
#206 Sunshine (Sharon)
#207 My family (Sharon)
