Step Up to the Plate
/
My days have changed - but in some ways not changed. Instead of dealing with all the details of Floyd's care, I am now dealing with all the details of his passing. So my life still seems full of things having to do with Floyd! He's never far from my thoughts.
A line in a book I was reading recently jumped off the page to me. "Sometimes things happen that you never expected, and all you can do is step up to the plate." Wow - that resonated in my heart and mind!
A little over 5 years ago while I was still battling cancer, the unexpected hit big time with Floyd's illness. Overnight everything in our lives was turned upside down, and our "unexpected journey" began. I began to write prayer letters that turned into prayer updates because I knew we couldn't go it alone. We needed prayer - lots and lots of prayer.
What I called my "roller coaster" proceeded day by day. There were so many ups and downs that I couldn't keep up with them. I've never liked roller coasters, and here I was on an endless one. Going back to that line above - I guess I "stepped up," but really there wasn't any other option. If I'm honest, I didn't want to step up! It was hard to step up. But I needed to care for Floyd, and I had to continue fighting cancer.
Thankfully I wasn't alone. God was holding my hand, staying right by my side, and undergirding me each step of the way. Family and friends were helping in every way they could. And so many dear ones were praying!
I am so grateful that I was carried by all of this on our journey.
When the unexpected hits, we may feel inadequate to "step up to the plate." I know I sure did! But, as I said, there usually isn't any other option. Thankfully we aren't stepping up alone. His grace WILL be sufficient for our every need as we walk into that unknown journey. He holds our right hand as we walk the new path.
There will ALWAYS be "things we never expected" in our lives. We can't avoid them - it's part of life. But I guess one of the key things I've learned on our unexpected journey is that God isn't surprised by the unexpected, and He won't abandon us as we walk through those things. In fact, quite the opposite. He helps us get through them - and He brings good out of them in His own unique way. Only our wonderful God can do that.
My prayer is that each of us will press into His abundant grace when we have to "step up to the plate." He will meet us with everything we need!
"My God will supply every need of yours according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:19
"God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work." 2 Corinthians 9:8
"I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give you a future and a hope." Jeremiah 29:11
"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want." Psalm 23:1
In the midst of the unexpected things of life, I'm so grateful that God still has plans to give us a future and a hope. I don't know what my future holds, but God has kept hope alive in my heart. He is so good and faithful!
This past Sunday was Father's Day. It was our first one without Floyd. Over the past 5+ years as Floyd has been sick, I have tried to still "celebrate" special days with him - a visit, a flower, a balloon, a song, a poster for his wall - whatever I could do to make it special.
So on this first Father's Day without him, my daughter, my son, and I decided to have a FaceTime call together. We laughed, told stories, I cried a few times, and we watched the sunset together. We were amazed when we ended the call that we had been talking for over 2 hours. It was a special way to honor Floyd.
Someone sent me a message of Floyd speaking on "The Father Heart of God" from 1987. I listened to it in honor of him too. He begins with some humor. It was so nice to hear his voice, and especially to hear his laugh. My heart was warmed as I listened to him speaking about the Father and realizing he's now with Him! I basked in the Father's love afresh as Floyd talked about how much He loves us. You can listen to the message on the resources page on our website.
"See what great love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are!" 1 John 3:1
"Which of you, if your son asks for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a snake? If you, then.....know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father in heaven give good gifts to those who ask Him!" Matthew 7:11,12
"Your Father knows what you need before you ask Him." Matthew 6:8
"As a father has compassion on his children, so the Lord has compassion on those who fear Him." Psalm 103:13
I am leaning into God's lavish love, trusting that He knows my needs, and receiving of His compassion on my days. He is so good and faithful! I couldn't make it without my wonderful Father.