“For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the LORD, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jeremiah 29:11
I NEED these reminders. A lot lately. This is one that I am so glad is in my memory banks for me to pull up and calm me down.
We have had a rough go these last several weeks.Eric was traveling on business for 4 weeks straight. He would come home long enough to wash his clothes, for the two of us to have a good fight, and then head out again (those of you with traveling spouses I know can relate). Literally about a 36 hour weekend. It was tough on me, tough on the kids, and tough on Eric.
My Hawaii trip, the one that was cancelled in October when I ended up in the hospital, had been rescheduled for April. Unfortunately, I was scheduled to fly out early Saturday morning the 25th and Eric flew in the night of the 24th. HORRIBLE timing!
Hawaii was a nice break and it was the first time I was able to leave the kids without suffering from mommy guilt – awesome! But is was SO tough to go yet one more week without being a family. I missed Eric immensely and that put a small damper on things. On the upside it was absolutely beautiful and we had a great time – especially laying on the beach (under an umbrella for me) and Happy Hour at Margaritaville!
I flew in Sunday night, May 3rd after 2 days of plane rides and an hour and a half of sleep, not good.
Monday morning was a rude awakening getting Emily ready for school at 1 AM Hawaii time! Ugh.
I got her off to school and settled in for a little while before heading to MOPS – or so I thought. Well, I would have hustled through a shower if I had known what my next call would be!
Eric.
In a car accident.
SERIOUSLY????
PLEASE! When will we get a break? I am strong enough in my faith to know we are not being punished, but Monday I definitely felt like throwing in the towel. On what, I don’t know, but I was DONE!
Eric is OK – HUGE PRAISE!
The car, not so much.
Downsizing, it’s the way to go right now, right?
After a 6 hr cry, 4 Advil, and a nap, I was a new woman.
I have no idea how this situation is going to play out.
Eric was ‘at fault’, even though the persons in front of him were goofing off driving, ultimately, he ran into them… AND because we just gave up the motorcycle and he was using our ‘back-up’ car, we did not have full-coverage. YIKES! We were actually shocked to find this out, totally our fault, but nothing to do about it now.
I am certain God does have a plan for us. One of the biggest confirmations that HE knows all things is that we just got permission to bus Emily to and from school -begininning Monday, May 4th – the same day as the accident. (Her school is a ‘walking’ school, so there is no busing except under special circumstances). Our special circumstances happened to be the oncologist saying NO DRIVING when you feel dizzy. Well, some days I do, some days I don’t – how can one count on that??
At least now Emily has a ride to school and back and Eric can take the van most days. It is a short term solution, but I am certain that God has a long-term remedy. HE just isn’t ready to inform us of it yet.
Several weeks ago I was digging through a box in the garage and came across a card a friend had given me years ago. I had long forgot about this card, but recognized it immediately when I saw it. To my amazement, it had ‘MY’ verse on the front “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in Him.” Romans 15:13
This is the verse that was spoken to me in the hospital. And the card now sits next to our wedding picture on my nightstand. After yesterday, I decided I need to find a frame for it.
It is a card by Karla Dornacher and the inside reads
‘Don’t Wish upon a shining star
or put your trust in another
but daily place the cares of your heart
in the hands of your Heavenly Father
For HE has heard your prayers
and He knows your heart.
and His answer’s a whisper away
So don’t give up, don’t doubt His love,
but hold on in faith one more day
And while you wait, keep your eyes on Jesus
Let your hope be in Him alone
Let His Word give light to encourage your soul
and His Spirit give your heart a home’
Perspective.
Great, isn’t it?
You are such a strong woman. To maintain this kind of hope takes true endurance. Your testimony and steadfast focus on God’s will gives encouragement to those of us who would otherwise crumble in such trying times.
We are praying for resolution and healing. And where the answers are unseen, we trust in the peace that you are held firmly in the Father’s hands.
Thanks for encouraging me in the midst of your trials. God be with you today, may His face shine upon you- and give you peace.
I remember when my dad was first diagnosed with cancer, every week we were hit with some new bad news. It was always like: it can’t get any worse, can it? But it always did. “When it rains, it pours” was definatly the motto of the day. Month after month it was more and more bad news, and then he was put on hospice, and we took our last “trip” and then he passed. And you think that is the worst of it, but really it wasn’t, he was no longer riddled with cancer and new doors have opened in ourlives with his passing. There is ALWAYS a reason. I firmly believe we have “life plans” but free-will within that. It’s hard to release control, but it gets easier over time. We all have lessons to learn and I am trying to open my eyes and find out what that is for me, and I think you are doing the same. Keep it up. Seeing the positive in these situations is a very healthy thing to do, and very good for YOUR health right now. You have done just amazing through all of this.
As an aside, that “Aaron” comment better not be my husband…becuase he never comments on the family blog, except to harrass me about the photo I chose once. 🙂