Happy!

 After weeks of worrying and praying about the worst-case scenerio, I was given news that I would call uplifting.  It wasn't the perfect heaven on earth news but it was better than what I thought it would be.  So today I have decided to put aside all the worry, fear, anger and sadness and choose to be happy. 

So to everyone out there....."Happy Thursday!!"

His Voice

Last night, I went for a walk and had a long conversation with God.  I poured out my fears and thoughts and asked Him to help me know that He was with me on this journey I have found so difficult to travel.  When I returned home from my walk, I felt the need to go to my Bible.  I opened it to Isaiah 30:21 and read these words, "And your ears shall hear a word behind you: “This is the way; walk in it,” when you would turn to the right or the left."  As I read those words, I knew He was answering my prayers.  He was letting me know He was with me.

Today I began my usual morning routine of flipping my day-by-day calendar to August 9th.  I read the daily thought as I always do.  It said, "In times of uncertainty, you can be certain of God's presence."  I smiled and raised my eyes to heaven and whispered a soft thank you.  Later in the day, I received an email message from a dear friend who let me know her thoughts and prayers were with me.

I have heard God's voice and I know I am stronger because of it.

His Strength

I believe that something is coming and that God believes I need great strength to bear it.  I believe that He is putting people and things in place to help me.  Eric finding the time to come home for 5 days, the post from my favorite blog pal, the reference to novenas which my mom always had great faith in. I believe that God is trying to help me be strong.

                  "Do not be afraid or dismayed be strong and courageous."  (Joshua 10:25)

His Hand

Did you ever wake up one morning and just know that the day would bring something for which you would need great strength?

Last Wednesday was that moment for me.  I awoke that morning just knowing that I would need all the strength I had to get thru the day.  But I also knew that I would probably need more.  I remember the first thought I had was, "please, Lord, I am not strong enough for this.  Please help me."  As hard as I could to have faith that He would answer my plea, I was not sure.  Did He believe that I was much stronger than I thought I was and did not need His help?  I did not believe that.  So I continued to call upon Him with the same urgent request.  Later in the day, the news was given to me that I didn't want to hear but I knew in my heart that it was so.  I listened to the words trying to take it all in and yet, I still sent out my urgent plea thru my heart.  Afterwards it was a matter of how to tell others the news.  I sat in the car next to the one I had walked thru 45 years of life with and tried to explain.  My voice cracked, my eyes watered up and my words faltered but in that moment I felt a hand on my shoulder and a gentle voice saying, "you can do this...I am here."

"Even before a word is on my tongue, Lord, you know it all.  Behind and before you encircle me and rest your hand upon me." (Psalm 139:4-5)

There's still hope...

The news, whether it is tv, radio or print, is filled with so much that brings anxiety, depression and anger that I found myself focusing on the event in Thailand.  Here was a situation that could have ended so badly.  We got a miracle instead.  But we also got a glimmer of what is good and kind and positive about our world and that, to me, was the icing on this miraculous cake.

(This drawing was in the July 11th edition of USA Today)