What a Day

It started out with a phone call that Heath's uncle who is in the hospital was being removed from life support. Then we go to church and learn that a precious man, who is a pillar among our members, finished teaching his morning Sunday School class, experienced chest pains and was taken to the hospital via ambulance. About two hours later Heath and I are in preschool worship (it was our Sunday to help) and we receive word that Brother Jack had passed away. You could sense the silence and sadness that had fallen over the church. We get home, have a great lunch (after fighting with K1 and K2 to eat each of their one piece of squash and one piece of zucchini on their plates - c'mon, at least it wasn't spinach like my mom used to make me eat) and I retire for a quick nap (K3 was down too). We get another call that Uncle Mitchell had passed away around 2:30ish. Deep breath. This news on top of a couple of weeks of very discouraging news that two of our friends had received diagnosis of terminable cancer and would literally be fighting for additional years, if not months or days, of their lives.

You can't help but begin to wonder - why does life deal us some of these unexpected blows?? Understanding that Uncle Mitchell lived to be 80 and experience so much life with his wonderful wife, Betty, and their four children, many grandchildren and great grandchildren. Why would our friends, in their mid-30's and early 40's have life potentially stripped away from them at a time that seems too early for our earthly minds to comprehend? Why would their precious children - Jarrod and Stacie with 4 kids and Adryne and Russ with 3 kids - why would those kids not have a Dad or a Mom at their graduations? their weddings?

So, we ponder quietly, pray fervently, and praise Him in the storm.

We go to church this evening, it's our annual Revival, and I love Tom Whitsett who is preaching. One of the songs we sung first thing as a congregation was "I'll Fly Away" - how fitting as we reflected on Bro Jack and Uncle Mitchell and praised Him for their lives. The message is spot on - God's season is not our season and the Bible tells us that we have to keep on keepin' on even in the off season - when it's not convenient or comfortable. We are reminded that in this earthly life there will come a time, or maybe two or three, when we are faced with great discouragement. The loss of a job, loss of a friend, loss of a child, a horrible diagnosis - while none of these had directly impacted our immediate family they were certainly impacting the lives of our family and friends today and were heavy on our hearts.

The message reminded me to not give up, not back up, not shut up - just keep on keepin' on during times of discouragement. Run to God, let Him wrap His arms around you and hold you tight - it is all part of His plan!

Thanking Him for my blessings and seeking His forgiveness for all the ways I have failed Him.

God bless and have a great night - hug a loved one!