Happy New Year!!
I want one of the first things I write this year to be praises to my
Lord and Savior! God, You are so good and faithful. Thank You for all You do
for us—the things we see and the countless things we do not see.
This has been
one of the hardest stretches of time I’ve had in a long while, yet through it
all I’ve known that God has been with me and that I am right where I need to
be. When thoughts came urging me to leave my husband, I knew it was the
enemy—and I fought back. When discouragement whispered for me to quit this
“insane” life we’re living, I thought of God’s faithfulness. I couldn’t give up
on Him when He has been there for me at every turn.
I’ve battled
depression and the desire to isolate—to stop writing, to withdraw from
people—because I couldn’t see the miracles God was doing every day. But
then the Holy Spirit would gently remind me of all that He has done, both big
and small, and I’d feel conviction, repent, and turn my heart back to praise.
Looking back,
2008 was the most difficult year of my life—but also the most amazing and
miraculous. I have seen God more clearly than ever before. I think I can now
relate a little to Job when he said,
“My ears had heard of you, but now my
eyes have seen you.”
— Job 42:5
On Tuesday
morning, I was feeling heavy and gloomy. I apologized to Tom for being so hard
to live with lately, and he laid hands on me and prayed that the Lord would
restore my joy. I felt so much better afterward.
We had
planned to help A and C move that day, but someone broke into their apartment
and stole his laptop, leaving them too upset to socialize. So instead, Tom and
I went shopping with the gift cards we received and used my Outback gift card
for dinner. We had such a good time together—thank You, Jesus! It felt like we
had victory over the enemy and a sweet reprieve from the battle.
The next
morning, my thoughts drifted toward wondering where we’d go on Sunday since
both KK and M & A would be home. But I stopped myself and said, “Lord, I
trust You!” I thanked Him for handling all the details, knowing He would
show us what’s next in His timing.
At other
times when those anxious thoughts came, I remembered Marteen’s offer to let us
stay with her—but the Holy Spirit reminded me that we are not to ask anyone for
anything, only to trust that He will provide. Once again, I was reassured that
He has it all handled.
Then,
Wednesday morning as Tom and I ate breakfast, he looked at his phone and saw a
text message from TB:
“If you two
could deal with three kids being there on weekends, I think there would be room
for you at my townhome. Pray & call me later.” — 5:39 a.m., Wednesday, Dec. 31
WOW. We sat
there stunned, amazed, and completely in awe. We prayed right then, knowing
this was the door God had opened for us—it came unexpectedly and was the only
option before us! Tom called him back, and as it turned out, TB was moving into
his townhome that weekend and said we could move in on Sunday.
Thank You,
Jesus, for Your amazing timing and provision!
Tom later
shared that whenever he talks with TB about what God has been doing in our
lives, TB is always encouraged. He said our testimony gives him hope that God
can still do miraculous things in people’s lives. Now, TB is thankful that he
can be a small part of our story. Tom said, “His name is written in the Lamb’s
Book of Life, and now it will also be written in our testimony too.”
It’s not
about us—it’s all about God’s glory and faithfulness!
Lately, Tom
and I have been listening to a song by Brooke Fraser called “Mystery.”
The chorus captures our hearts perfectly:
Your
love endures forever
And Your love changes me
Your love makes me whole, makes me better
Your love endures.
Amen.
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