The Number of Our Days

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Floyd's condition has remained stable this week.  Since day 1 of Floyd's illness I have "released" him to the Lord.  I've stood by his bed and prayed release.  I've spoken it over him.  I've prayed it daily in my quiet times - hundreds, thousands of times.  I've told Floyd that it's okay if he goes to be with Jesus - that I'll be okay.  I mentioned recently in an update that before his surgery our family stood by his bed and released him to the Lord.  I continue to pray for healing or heaven for him.

I had a check-up consult with my oncologist.  She said that for everything I've been through and for as low as I went during my time in the hospital - I'm doing "amazingly well."  That was so nice to hear!  

Recently I wrote that I trust God's sovereignty that He knows the "number of our days."  All I can do is release Floyd into God's loving hands, but God is the one who will take him home.  Again I say that I don't understand the unexpected journey we are on, but I continually sense that God is involved in it.  I doubt that I'll fully understand until I'm with the Lord in eternity.  But that's okay.  I trust Him with all my heart.

I know that many of you reading this can identify with what I have gone through, what I am saying.  You are also caring for loved ones who are enduring a long season of illness.  My heart goes out to you because I so understand.  I pray for healing or heaven for your dear one.  And I pray for grace and strength for you as you care for them.  Walking beside our loved one as they suffer is not easy - definitely not for the faint of heart!  But God walks right beside us to help us on the journey.

When God takes our loved one home, yes there will be sadness in the goodbye.  But we will also be able to rejoice that our dear one is with Jesus and no longer suffering.  I don't know when that day will come for Floyd.  All I can do is keep releasing him into God's good, loving, and faithful hands!

"We know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose."  Romans 8:28

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father.  But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.  Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows."  Matthew 10:29-31

"Ah, sovereign Lord, you have made the heavens and the earth by your great power and outstretched arm.  Nothing is too hard for you."  Jeremiah 32:17

"Many are the plans in the mind of a man, but it is the purpose of the Lord that will stand."  Proverbs 19:21

I've found in releasing Floyd to the Lord, it lifts the burden of his situation from my heart into God's loving care.  I know God loves Floyd more than I ever can, and He'll do what's best for him.  

I've just finished reading a book by Darlene Cunnigham called "Values Matter" (stories of the beliefs and values that shaped Youth With A Mission).  It brought back so many memories from our 35 years of serving with YWAM.  Those values are part of who we are today.  I'm so grateful for the "DNA" that was imparted to us.

It's made me think of how important it is to establish the foundation stones of values in our lives.  It's what helps us when we face an "unexpected journey."  Those beliefs and values, along with our personal walk with the Lord, help us when we face a sudden loss, a time of suffering, a prolonged illness, or any of the other bumps in the road of life.  If we don't have those foundations in place, we will not be able to withstand the uneven road as we journey along.

As I look back over the last few years and all we've faced, I'm so grateful for how God prepared me for this season by what He had built into my life.  I could never have made it without those strong foundations - the solid rock of everything He had taught me.  Everything that is part of who I am has helped me navigate what I've faced.

And it's never too late to learn and grow!  I'm still doing that.  I'm still strengthening those foundations, still learning more of God's ways, still putting my roots down deeper and deeper.  It's a continual process until we step into eternity.

"We walk by faith, not by sight."  2 Corinthians 5:7

"God is our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.  Therefore we will not fear, though the earth give way and the mountains fall into the heart of the sea, though its waters roar and foam and the mountains quake with their surging."  Psalm 46:1-3

"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord."  Psalm 31:24

"Those who wait for the Lord will gain new strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles, they will run and not get tired, they will walk and not become weary."  Isaiah 40:31

"Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good, for His steadfast love endures forever.  Give thanks to the God of gods, for His steadfast love endures forever.  Give thanks to the Lord of lords, for His steadfast love endures forever."  Psalm 136:1-3

I am so grateful for that steadfast love!  And I'm grateful for all that has been built into my life.  Those foundation stones of truth have given me a secure footing for all I've walked through.  God is so good and faithful!

God Never Puts Us On Hold

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Floyd has had some days this past week of not doing well.  As I have all along our journey, I prayed for healing or heaven.  His condition stabilized in the last few days.  I continue to trust God for Floyd's future but I'm glad he's doing better and is resting peacefully.

I have been trying to call a traffic office about a fine I received.  The fine is from another province, it's not my car, it's not my license plate number, and the fine was issued on the day I was in surgery.  So, obviously, it's not for me!  But I have to deal with it.  As soon as I received the notice, I tried to call the office.  I waited endlessly "on hold" while I was told that "all agents are busy - please stay on the line."  I waited and waited and waited.  Finally I sent an email.

I repeated this process a couple days later, only to be "on hold" endlessly again.  I sent another email.  This happened over and over.

Finally I spoke to someone which then meant I had to send in pages and pages of information.  I was told that what I sent might be lost, so I should keep copies in case I needed to send it again - not very confidence building about the process!  Everything has been done - and I still feel "on hold" as I've had no response.  It's beyond frustrating.

I was thinking about all this.....and the most wonderful thought went through my mind.  God never ever puts us "on hold!"  He is available 24/7, 365 days a year, and we never have to wait because He's busy!  He is only a whisper away as we call on Him.  He hears us right away when we call.  We may not always get the answer we want  - His ways and wisdom are higher than ours, but He will always, always listen and bring comfort to our hearts.  He strengthens us, encourages us, and gives sufficient grace to us.  He never leaves us all alone.  We never have to fear being put "on hold" when we call on His name.  

"For He has said, 'I will never leave you nor forsake you."  Hebrews 13:5

"God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble."  Psalm 46:1

"The Lord of hosts is with us."  Psalm 46:7

"Your ears will hear a voice behind you saying, 'This is the way; walk in it.' "  Isaiah 30:21

The Lord "takes our calls" for any need we have.  Big or small.  Anytime.  Anywhere.  He never puts us "on hold."  I am so grateful for this.  I couldn't have survived this unexpected journey if I hadn't been able to call on Him at every point of need.  Thank you Lord!

Someone reminded me recently of a sweet memory.  It was in the early weeks of Floyd's illness.  A dear pastor friend came to visit at the hospital.  He stood by Floyd's bed, holding both my hand and Floyd's, and said "Floyd will not live a day longer or shorter than God intends."  I had forgotten about this, and found it lovely to be reminded of that sweet visit.

I realize it touches on a big theology issue.  I've heard so many viewpoints and opinions, and I don't want to start a discussion about the topic.....but what it did for me is remind me that God is 100% involved in our lives.  Whether we live or die is in His hands, and He is so, so trustworthy!  If I didn't have the assurance of this, I don't think I could keep going day by day.  I have seen God at work in our lives, I've seen Him intervene on so many occasions, and I trust Him to fulfil every plan and purpose He has for us.

And on the hard days I trust in His sufficient grace!  God has never failed us.  He is so good, so faithful, so loving and kind.

"All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be."  Psalm 139:16

"You have decided the length of our lives.  You know how many months we will live, and we are not given a minute longer."  Job 14:4 NLT

"So teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom."  Psalm 90:12

"My times are in your hands."  Psalm 31:15 

The Gift of Laughter

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This week I checked with the doctor because I wanted to make sure they still play worship music for Floyd, and she said that the nurses do that every day.  I'm so grateful for the loving, personal care they give Floyd.  I continually pray blessing for the hospital staff. 

I was watching a movie recently that showed a scene in a hospital chapel.  It took me back right away in my mind to something that happened about a week into Floyd's illness.  The doctors had told us that Floyd needed emergency surgery.  Our whole family had arrived by then.  We gathered around Floyd's bed to pray for him - committing Him to the Lord and His will.  They told us they didn't think he'd survive the surgery, but he definitely wouldn't survive without it.  The family then gathered in the waiting room to await the outcome.

My daughter and I went to the little chapel down the hall - to sit quietly and to pray.  As we sat there, we noticed a sign on the wall:  "wash your hands and say your prayers - 'coz germs and Jesus are everywhere."  We both burst out laughing!  It was a welcome release to all the tension.

Thinking back to this event reminded me of what a gift laughter is!  Laughter releases endorphins, the body's natural "feel-good" chemicals.  Endorphins help promote an overall sense of well-being, and can even help relieve pain.  I remember when our daughter was sick for a few years, and in a lot of pain.  We were encouraged to watch funny movies in order to promote the healing benefit of laughter.  It was a good "medicine."  Both Floyd and our daughter have what I call "contagious laughter."  If one of them started laughing, it spread.  I often miss Floyd's laugh - it always made me feel better.

Laughter isn't just something our body does - it's a provision of the Lord for help in our health.  It relieves stress, tension, and anxiety.  It boosts our immune system.  It relieves pain, and helps us deal with difficult situations.  God certainly knew what He was doing when he created us to laugh.   Mayo Clinic in the U.S. agrees.  It says that "laughter really is a great medicine!"  And there's no harmful side effects!!

I once did a study on "smiling."  Many of the same benefits come from a simple smile as come from laughter.....and it takes fewer muscles to smile than it does to frown.  Smiling can lower your blood pressure, make you feel good, help keep you positive, and even help us look younger!

And smiling is very contagious!  I've tried it with grumpy sales clerks!  A smile almost always produces a smile in return - and combined with a kind work.....it's close to miraculous in its impact.

"A joyful heart is good medicine, but a crushed spirit dries up the bones."  Proverbs 17:22

"A time to weep, and a time to laugh."  Ecclesiastes 3:4

"A glad heart makes a cheerful face, but by sorrow of heart the spirit is crushed."  Proverbs 15:13

"Blessed are you who weep now, for you shall laugh."  Luke 6:21

"Then our mouth was filled with laughter and our tongue with joyful shouting; then they said among the nations, 'the Lord has done great things for them.' "  Psalm 126:2

"He will yet fill your mouth with laughter and your lips with shouting."  Job 8:21

So - back to the time in the hospital......we waited for hours while Floyd was in surgery.  The doctors finally came out and said that when they went to operate, the problem that had been shown on scans and on an MRI was gone!  They even yelled at the technicians thinking they had made a mistake in their reading of the scans.  There was nothing there, so they sent him back to ICU.  The head doctor came to me and said "I think you got the miracle you said you were praying for!"

It was just one in a series of many miracles we saw.  I don't understand everything about this unexpected journey, but I know God has been with us.  There have been tears, prayers, waiting, and even laughter along the way.....and God has walked closely with us through everything.  He has been so faithful!

He is FOR Us

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Things are pretty much the same for both Floyd and me.  We keep praying for both of our healing and breakthrough, whatever that may look like. 

As I move forward into a new year on our journey, I realize I need a fresh release of courage from the Lord.  My heart and my body are weary from all that's happened in the last 5 years.  I have purposed in my heart to move forward, but I know I can't do it in my own strength.

I was reading about Peter walking on the water.  Jesus told him to "come," and Peter was doing fine.  Then he focused on the wind and the waves, and began to sink.  It's a good example of how we need to keep our focus on Jesus - not on ourselves, not on circumstances, not on what's happening around us - but ONLY on Him!!  I remind myself of that daily as I face various challenges.

In just the last few days I have had a number of unexpected and difficult things come my way.  With my limited strength, if I'm not careful, I can get overwhelmed with those things.  I have to continually remind myself to keep looking to Jesus - to ask for fresh help and courage from Him.  He has been and will be faithful!

"Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you."  Deuteronomy 31:6

"For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, 'Do not fear; I will help you.' "  Isaiah 41:13

"The Lord is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear?  The Lord is the strength of my life; of whom shall I be afraid?"  Psalm 27:1

"Jesus immediately said to them: 'Take courage!  It is I.  Don't be afraid.' "  Matthew 14:27

I find it's important to actively calm my heart and mind, and listen to His voice.  He is with me, and He brings peace to the winds and waves around me - and He ministers courage to my heart.  I'm so grateful.

I still battle with sleep some nights.  In particular, I wake up a lot and then try to get back to sleep.  One night this week as I was laying awake, I felt the Lord speaking to my heart that He is FOR us!  All of us.  I think the enemy tries to get us to believe that God is against us if we fail or make mistakes.  But, even in our weakness, in our mistakes, in our need, in our sin - God is always FOR us.

The Bible tells us that God grieves over our sin.  It separates us from Him.  I'm sure He is disappointed and sad over mistakes we make.  But His loving, Father heart always pursues us.  He willingly forgives us as we repent.  We are His creation, His children and He never turns His back on us.  He is Fully, Overwhelmingly, Radically FOR us - always!  He loves us with an eternal, unending love.

I think of times when I've made mistakes, when I've sinned - I'm the one who pulls away from Him!  I'm embarrassed, ashamed, and I withdraw.  But as soon as I get over myself and turn to the Lord, He's always FOR me, ready to forgive and give me new beginnings.  He doesn't shower me with guilt.  He doesn't hang my mistakes over my head.  He forgives.  He loves me.  He brings peace back to my heart.  He tells me He is FOR me!  Nothing can separate us from His loving, Father heart.

I have rejoiced in recent days, after that middle-of-the-night reminder, in thanking God that He is FOR us.  The enemy may try to distract us, deceive us, or discourage us......but the clear truth of the Word is that God is FOR us - today, tomorrow, always.  What a wonderful promise that is!

"I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord."  Romans 8:38,39

"As for God, His way is perfect; the word of the Lord is proven; He is a shield to all who trust in Him."  Psalm 18:30

"Bless the Lord, O my soul; and all that is within me, bless His holy name!  Bless the Lord, O my soul, and forget not all His benefits:  who forgives all your iniquities, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from destruction, who crowns you with lovingkindness and tender mercies."  Psalm 103:1-4

How grateful I am that we serve a God who is FOR us.  He is good and kind.  He is faithful and unchanging.  I love and praise Him!

He Cares about Details

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We have a long deck on our house.  Every day, twice a day, I do "deck walking" back and forth for exercise.  As I was walking one day this week, I noticed some tiny flowers on one of the potted plants on the deck.  I don't ever remember the plant blooming before.  The flowers are tiny, tiny.  At the top of this post is a picture of them.

As I looked at them, I marvelled at God's attention to detail in something so small.  It reminded me again that God is involved in and cares about the details in our lives.  I'm so grateful that I can take every care, every concern, every need to Him.  He hears my pleas and helps me.  He's never too busy.  Nothing is too insignificant to Him.

Recently I've been concerned about several things.  As I'm working on my recovery, I am trying to be careful about what I eat.  One day I realized that things were "eating me" as I carried these concerns on my heart.  I took time to one by one give my concerns - my burdens and anxieties - to Him.  It felt good to lighten the load I was carrying.  Seeing the tiny flowers was a good reminder that we serve a God who cares about details.

"Cast your burden on the Lord, and He will sustain you; He will never permit the righteous to be moved."  Psalm 55:22

"Are not two sparrows sold for a penny?  And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father."  Matthew 10:29

"The very hairs of your head are all numbered."  Luke 12:7

"Give all your worries and cares to God, for He cares about you." 1 Peter 5:7

The little details that we bring to the Lord are just a small part of all the great things He is doing - but they matter to Him because He cares about us.  I love the Father's caring heart for me and you! 

This week was tender for me.  Tuesday marked 5 years since Floyd became ill.  It still seems so surreal when I think it…I could never, ever have imagined what was ahead on our very "unexpected journey."

Along with caring for Floyd, I have been fighting my own battle with ovarian cancer.  But God has walked faithfully beside me each step of the way - and many friends have helped care for me.

And, of course, there has been a pandemic thrown into the mix so I spent a lot of time in isolation.  It really, really does seem like such a crazy, unbelievable journey.  I've been reflecting on it in recent days.

Recently I've been listening to a song called "You're Still God" by Philippa Hanna.  As I've been reflecting over the past 5 years, the words of this song are my anthem cry.  He's Still God!  Regardless of what has happened, what has gone wrong, what has been hard - God is still God!  He hasn't changed.  He's still on the throne.  He is still loving and faithful. He has been my "constant" in the midst of everything else that has happened.

The words of the song say it all: 

"When all foundations have been shaken
When I'm left standing in the dark
And all I feel is my heart breaking
You still reign and You're still God

And when it feels all hope has faded
The heavy questions hit so hard
And though my soul may feel forsaken
You still reign and You're still God

Though I can't see what's before me
I know that I can trust Your heart
And this one truth will be my story
You still reign and You're still God

I will declare that You are with me
Though voices whisper that You're not
You'll never leave me nor forsake me
'Cause You still reign and You're still God

And when my enemies surround me
I'll trust the victory of Your cross
And fix my eyes upon You Jesus
For You are God and I am not

You are good and You are faithful
As You have been from the start
You're working all things for Your glory
'Cause You still reign and You're still God"

One of the great blessings that has come from this time is a depth of fellowship and intimacy with the Lord beyond anything I had ever known before.  It has been a precious, sweet surprise on the journey.  In the midst of so many hard things, I had to turn to Him over and over in my weakness and ask for His grace and strength.  He has given it willingly, and has surrounded me with His love and comfort.  This has been a treasure beyond anything I could ever have imagined. 

I'm not a masochist - I haven't "enjoyed" the trials, the suffering - but I wouldn't want to go back to how it was before in my walk with the Lord!  This has been too great a treasure.  I am profoundly grateful.  God has surrounded me and carried me in ways I didn't even know were possible.

I've learned that I don't need to fear what is ahead because God is greater than anything I may face.  I don't know what's still ahead, so I cling to that truth even now!  He will faithfully be with me in whatever is still to come.  He is still God!

"Though the Lord brings grief, He will show compassion, so great is His unfailing love."  Lamentations 3:32

"Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, because His compassions fail not.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.  'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'therefore I hope in Him!' "  Lamentations 3:22-24

"The Lord will fight for you; you need only to be still."  Exodus 14:14

"Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil."  Psalm 23:4

I have walked through the "valley of the shadow of death" more than once - but He has fought for me, He has kept me from falling, He has been my refuge.  His unfailing love has surrounded me.  I have not been consumed because of His compassions.  He has been so, so, so faithful!  I can't praise Him enough.

And because of the truth of God's promises, I am confident that God has been equally faithful to Floyd in his situation.  I can't wait to talk about it with him someday, and praise the Lord together. 

The Light of God Himself

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Floyd remains pretty much the same.  We continue to pray for his comfort, peace and healing and are so grateful for the prayers of so many around the world. 

I’m ever thankful for the prayers for my recovery too.  I've not been feeling well lately, but God has given me day by day strength.  Recovery just takes time.

A friend of mine went to a conference in the pre-pandemic days.  The speaker asked them to write down 3 words:  before, beside, and behind.  She then explained each one.

The "before" refers to those who have had input into your life - teaching, coaching, mentoring, working alongside.  We all have lots of those people in our lives.

The "beside" are those who are walking with you in life - especially in whatever current season you are in.  On my unexpected journey I'm so grateful for family, friends, co-workers, and all of you reading this who are praying for us.  I have been surrounded by love, care and prayers.  I'm so grateful that I haven't been alone during this hard time.  I have had times of feeling lonely, but I've not felt alone.  I so appreciate all those who are beside me.

The "behind" is for those whose lives we have impacted in some way and they are coming behind us on life's journey.  Whether it's 1 person or 1000, we are to be passing on what we're learning and sharing God's love and care.  

I'm so grateful for those who have been before me.  I wouldn't be who I am without them.  I thank the Lord daily for those who are beside me.  They have truly helped carry me on my journey.  And I hope and pray that there are many behind me.  That has been what Floyd and I have desired during our years in ministry.  

I often say that we may not be rich in worldly goods, but we are rich in the gift of people that we've had in our lives.  I'm so grateful for that precious gift!

"Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father."  James 1:17

"There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord.  There are different kinds of working, but in all of them and in everyone it is the same God at work."  1 Corinthians 12:5,6

"Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in its various forms."  1 Peter 4:10,11

I am keenly aware that as I've walked our unexpected journey I couldn't have made it without the Lord's sustaining grace.....and I am so grateful for each one who has walked beside me.  It has been good to think about the before, beside, and behind.....who those people are - and it's been wonderful to be able to lift up thanks to the Lord for all the precious people in our lives.  We are blessed!

A friend sent me a quote from Beth Moore recently that has stuck with me.  "Remember, God purposes to use every second of a divinely-ordained wait to build us into the individuals our future demands we be.  One most peculiar and exquisite experience of the faith is realizing that while you haven't seen answers or the way you should take, you've learned how to see the light of God Himself.  Right there in the blindness of your circumstances."

As I’ve thought back over my life together with Floyd, I was overwhelmed with how we've seen the "light of God Himself" in so many situations in our life.  We've not had the "answers" we always prayed for.....and we've often puzzled over "the way we should take" - but God's presence, His light has been with us each step of the way.

I also thought through these last few years on our unexpected journey.  Sooo many times I've called out to God for wisdom, strength, grace, direction and He has wonderfully, graciously shined His light into my life.  He's spoken to me in a myriad of ways.  I've felt His presence and comfort day by day.  He's never left me alone, on my own.  His love and light has been a constant companion.  I've felt "blind" in some situations, but He has always opened my eyes to see the right path.

I'm so very grateful for the "light of God Himself" that has shined  brightly on the long journey!

"Do not gloat over me, my enemy!  Though I have fallen, I will rise.  Though I sit in darkness, the Lord will be my light."  Micah 7:8

"You, Lord, keep my lamp burning; my God turns my darkness into light."  Psalm 18:28

"Your word is a lamp for my feet, a light on my path."  Psalm 119:105

"When Jesus spoke again to the people, He said, 'I am the light of the world.  Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life."  John 8:12

When we walk through hard times, through suffering - there is no darkness that the "light of God Himself" cannot penetrate!  He shines brightly into each and every situation we face.  How good and faithful He is.

God is in a Lifetime

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Recently I have been reminded of how God has been with us day by day on this unexpected journey.  He has been so good and so faithful in the midst of a long, hard season.  I would never have survived without His daily grace and strength.

This led me into a time of thanking Him for His grace!  His grace is "enough" for each thing we face.  The well of His sufficiency never runs dry.  It is full to overflowing.  We can drink deeply from that well whenever we need His grace.  He isn't upset with us in any way because we are in need of that grace - He planned it and provided it for us!

I've been thinking of this, pondering it, worshipping Him - and then someone sent me the following.  It's profound and beautiful.  It's taken from @commoners.communion.

"God is in a lifetime.  Not just little wins and easy changes.

The smoothest stones in a river are the ones who have stayed the longest.  Even the roughest boulders can turn into spheres under enough persistent water.

We are all those boulders, rough and unable in so many ways to take the easy wins when it comes to changing ourselves and growing more godly.

Our sin can feel as ingrained and heavy as rock, immovable and unchangeable, even with our greatest tools at hand.

But Christ invites us to come, sit under his constant gentle flow, day in and day out, that in a lifetime we may take the image his persistent grace affords us.

I have to keep reminding myself that my transformation isn't about days, weeks, months and with some things, even years.

It's about trusting God's persistence with me, his patience, his kindness, and most importantly, his longevity."

I'm so glad He's with us for the long haul! 

"The Lord has said to me, 'My grace is sufficient for you, for power is perfected in weakness.' Most gladly, therefore, I will rather boast about my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may dwell in me." 2 Corinthians 12:9

"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.  Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls."  Matthew 11:28,29 

" 'Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet my unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed,' say the Lord, who has compassion on you."  Isaiah 54:10

He is good.  And He always has good in store for us - even in the midst of hard seasons.  Our unexpected journey has been hard, but there has been so, so much of His goodness in the midst of it!  I can't thank Him enough. 

I think we are sometimes under the assumption that if we live a Godly life and make the right choices that things will go well with us and we won't have problems.  It's certainly very important that we do both of those things!  That's what the word tells us to do.

But we can easily forget that we live in a fallen world - a world filled with sin, sickness, and evil.  Unfortunately we don't live in a perfect world.  We are impacted by the ungodliness around us in many ways.  Sickness, pain, and suffering come our way in this fallen world.

Some months ago someone sent me a teaching on Caleb.  I've been pondering Caleb's example for a long time.  Caleb was one of the 12 spies sent by Moses to investigate the land of Canaan.  Caleb and Joshua saw that the land was bountiful - filled with the good things God had promised them.  They gave a positive report.  They said we can take it!  They had the faith and the obedience to trust God's promise.  But the other 10 spies gave a very negative, pessimistic report that filled the people's hearts with fear and anger towards God.

As we all know, the children of Israel spent the next 40 years (a year for each day the spies had been sent out) wandering in the desert because of their unbelief and anger towards the Lord.  They took the word of the spies with the negative report, and they turned their hearts against God.

The thing that struck me was that Caleb and Joshua made the right choice - but they still had to go through the 40 years in the desert!  They were the only ones from the first generation that left Egypt who entered the land the Lord had promised to give them - but they had to go through the 40 years of suffering with all the others.  However, it also says that God strengthened Caleb.  "Here I am this day, eighty-five years old.  As yet I am as strong this day as I was on the day that Moses sent me; just as my strength was then, so now is my strength for war."  Joshua 14:11

There's no indication that Caleb and Joshua were upset with God for those extra 40 years before they entered into what God had for them.  I'm sure it was hard - we can read in the Bible about some of the difficult things that happened in those 40 years.  But they remained steadfast and saw God fulfil His promises.

The thing that has spoken to my heart is that we aren't immune to hard things, suffering - even if we make all the right choices, even if our heart is turned fully towards God.  But - He'll help us and strengthen us as we go through the hard times.

I want to keep my heart steadfast towards the Lord as I continue to walk the path of our unexpected journey.  I hope it won't be 40 years!

"Not one of all the Lord's good promises to Israel failed; every one was fulfilled."  Joshua 21:45

"The Lord has done what He planned; He has fulfilled His word, which He decreed long ago."  Lamentations 2:17

"Being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus."  Philippians 1:6

"Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a harvest if we do not give up."  Galatians 6:9

God has promised to be with us - to help us with whatever we go through - to strengthen us - to give us sufficient grace - to never leave us or forsake us.  Whatever we face in our fallen world, He will be with us - and He will fulfil His promises to us.  He is faithful!

Pre-Decide to Trust

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Someone shared with me recently about how God had spoken to her.  One day she felt the Lord asked her if she would trust Him with whatever happened in her life......come what may, would she keep her eyes and focus on Him?  She said "yes" to Him.  She knew He would be with her in whatever good thing or sorrow might come.

Within days something very difficult happened in her life.  But she said because she had "pre-decided" what her focus would be, it helped carry her through some painful and difficult days.

I love that!  We can pre-decide our response to hard times!

It made me reflect on my life and Floyd's.  We had had conversations with God like my friend, and we committed our hearts to trust Him in trials......long before I was diagnosed with cancer and before he became sick.   

And I want to give testimony to how God has helped me, helped us, because of that decision.  Certainly it's been hard.  But God has faithfully helped me - and helped both of us when I first battled cancer before Floyd got sick.  There were some other things happening that made it a very difficult season.  But our decision was made - we'd trust God and keep our focus on Him.  It made all the difference in the world!

I'm purposing in my heart to keep "pre-deciding" to trust Him and keep my eyes, my focus on Him and Him alone.  A friend said to me recently, "If our trust is anywhere but in Jesus, we are lost.  It's just as simple as that."  So very true. 

"Let the morning bring me word of your unfailing love, for I have put my trust in you.  Show me the way I should go, for to you I lift up my soul."  Psalm 143:8 

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."  Isaiah 26:3 

"They will have no fear of bad news; their hearts are steadfast, trusting in the Lord."  Psalm 112:7 

"What consumes your mind controls your life."  I am pre-deciding to fill my mind and heart with thoughts of the goodness of the Lord.

I've often shared how God has spoken to my heart through His creation - the ocean, mountains, birds, flowers, trees, clouds, rainbows, etc.  I am constantly blessed by the beauty of what God has created for us to enjoy.  So many times on a hard day, I've seen something beautiful in creation, and it has ministered to my soul.  I think it's easy to be busy and miss the beauty around us that God wants to use to encourage us.

We recently had something unusual happen here.  I wasn't able to see it myself from my vantage point, but others shared photos.  It was a foggy morning, but there were a few rays of sunshine.  Out over the ocean there was what is called a "fogbow."  

Through the fog you can see a rainbow.....but the colors are obscured by the fog so it is white.  A totally white rainbow!  It's rare to see one.  In all the years we've lived here, I've never heard of anyone seeing one.  It's quite amazing.  

As I looked at the photos my heart was stirred by this unusual sighting.  There seem to continually be things for us to discover that God has created.  I love rainbows, but I would have never even thought of a white one!  God's power and might and awesome creativity blesses my heart.  And just think - the beauty we see around us is just a small foretaste of what heaven has in store for us!  I imagine God is still creating things for us to enjoy in eternity.

What a wonderful God we serve who has created the beauty around us to bless and encourage us!

"God saw everything that He had made, and behold, it was very good."  Genesis 1:31

"The heavens declare the glory of God, and the sky above proclaims His handiwork."  Psalm 19:1

"Ask the animals, and they will teach you, or the birds in the sky, and they will tell you; or speak to the earth, and it will teach you, or let the fish in the sea inform you.  Which of all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this?  In his hand is the life of every creature and the breath of all mankind."  Job 12:7-10

"Let the heavens rejoice, let the earth be glad; let the sea resound, and all that is in it.  Let the fields be jubilant, and everything in them; let all the trees of the forest sing for joy."  Psalm 96:11,12

Through His wonderful creation God speaks to us, teaches us, encourages us, and provides for us.  How awesome He is to provide such beauty for us.  I am grateful for it!

Hang Onto Hope

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Floyd is still the same - stable, peaceful, resting comfortably : )

As we pray for, and "expect" miracles, it's so important to keep hope alive.  The enemy will do everything he can to take away our hope.  The Bible says "without hope the people perish."  Without hope it's hard to believe for miracles.

When bad things, hard things, difficult things, disappointing things come our way - hope can evaporate in an instant.  We can only keep it alive and fresh as we look to God.  We may be afraid to risk being let down again through disappointment.  Only God can give us the grace and strength to keep hoping.  We have to wait in His presence for a fresh release of hope if it has waned in our hearts.

"Waiting with hope is very difficult, but true patience is expressed when we must even wait for hope.  I will have reached the point of greatest strength once I have learned to wait for hope."  George Matheson (taken out of ‘Jesus Today’ by Sarah Young)

When I came home after 6 weeks in the hospital, I was so very weak.  One day I was praying for God to renew my strength.  As I sat in His presence, I felt Him speaking to me that I needed a renewal of hope.  Through all I had been through, my hope (for healing, for the future, for whatever He had in store for me) was diminished.  I hadn't even realized it.  But as God spoke to my heart, I knew I needed a new release of hope.  I began to pray for that, and I made a conscious effort to keep my eyes, my focus on Him.  Hope returned in abundance.

We have been living through stressful times!  It's possible that the hope in our hearts has taken a hit without us being aware of it.  May I encourage you to join me in trusting for a fresh release of hope?  God has good things in store for us.

"Don't you know that day dawns after night, showers displace drought, and spring and summer follow winter?  Then, have hope!  Hope forever, and God will not fail you!"  Charles Spurgeon (taken out of ‘Jesus Today’ by Sarah Young)

"Be of good courage, and He shall strengthen your heart, all you who hope in the Lord."  Psalm 31:24

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace in believing, so that by the power of the Holy Spirit you may abound in hope."  Romans 15:13

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful."  Hebrews 10:23

"I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope."  Psalm 130:5

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40:31

As we keep our eyes, our focus, on the Lord - the enemy has no foothold to rob us of hope!

While keeping hope alive and vibrant in our hearts - we must continually build on a heart of trust in the Lord.  Come what may, we must trust Him.  Trust must flow from our hearts continually.  We need to speak it, pray it, sing it, declare it!  It must be the foundation stone in our walk with Him.

In the midst of all that is happening in our world, in our lives - trust in God is crucial.  We don't have to understand everything.  We just have to trust Him and Him alone.

When I was in the hospital, I had many moments of weakness.  At times I was too weak to even pray, but I would say simply "I trust you Lord."  As I spoke those words, I felt His peace wash over me.  I didn't know what would happen to me, but I knew I trusted God.  He was sovereign over my life.  He "carried" me during those weeks as I've mentioned before.

Things don't go the way we thought they would.  People disappoint us, even fail us.  Life takes unexpected twists and turns.  But the one sure, solid thing is our trust in God.

"Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts to Him, for God is our refuge."  Psalm 62:8

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make straight your paths."  Proverbs 3:5,6

"You will keep in perfect peace all who trust in you, all whose thoughts are fixed on you."  Isaiah 26:3

"Blessed are those who trust in the Lord and have made the Lord their hope and confidence."  Jeremiah 17:7

I have no idea what's still ahead for Floyd, for me - but I trust Him!  He is faithful.

Expecting Miracles

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Floyd continues to rest comfortably this week.  I pray daily for peace in his spirit, and for God to comfort him.

With the new year and trusting for new beginnings, my heart has been stirred to pray for miracles.  The verse that says "we have not because we ask not" has echoed through my mind.  I don't know if the miracles will be for me, for Floyd, for our family, for our friends - there are needs in all those groups - or if the miracles will be for the world at large.  I just know I'm to ask for God to release miracles.

I am still trying to regain my health and strength.  I feel weak a lot of the time.  It seems incongruous in my weakness to ask for mighty, divine miracles.  But it's not dependent on me.  God is certainly able to break in and bring miracles.

As I've been pondering this and praying, someone sent me a video clip of a Michael W. Smith song - This is How I Fight My Battles - with a scene of Moses and the children of Israel at the Red Sea......with the Egyptian army pursuing them.  

We all know how God parted the Red Sea, allowing the children of Israel to pass on dry land.  An amazing miracle!  Just watching this re-enactment encouraged my heart.

I've seen a few miracles in my lifetime - though none as dramatic as the Red Sea event.  I know we serve a miracle working God!  And our world is in such need of His miracles.  I may be weak, but He is strong and able.  I'm simply asking.

"He is the one you praise; He is your God, who performed for you those great and awesome wonders you saw with your own eyes."  Deuteronomy 10:21

"I am the Lord, the God of all mankind.  Is anything too hard for me?"  Jeremiah 32:27

"Jesus replied, 'What is impossible with man is possible with God.' "  Luke 18:27

"He performs wonders that cannot be fathomed, miracles that cannot be counted."  Job 5:9

J. Hudson Taylor said "There are three stages in the work of God: impossible, difficult, and done."  I look forward to seeing the "done" stage.  I'm asking for that in asking for some specific miracles.

Some believe that the time for miracles is past.  I don't believe that.  I believe that miracles still happen.  Just because we don't see them on a regular basis doesn't mean that God has quit the miracle business.  I want to continue to ask and believe for the miraculous.  Will you join me?

As I have shared about this, it was a sweet surprise to hear that a number of others have been prompted to pray the same way.  One person felt the Lord said to her to "expect miracles."  I was struck by that.  It goes beyond praying to expecting. That requires faith on our part.  I'm endeavoring to position my heart to a place of expectancy.

Sometimes we don't "expect" because we don't want to be disappointed.  If we find ourselves in that state, we must take time to deal with our disappointments or else they will keep us from growing in faith.

Maybe we don't "expect" because we don't think God cares - or we don't think He wants good for us.  The Bible is full of His love, care, and goodness.  It may be important to dwell in His word and let that truth soak into our hearts.

We may not "expect" because we're in a rut - we've become lethargic in our walk with the Lord.  It's a new year - a time for new beginnings.  We need to stir up our hearts and our walk with Him.

Perhaps we don't "expect" because we've simply stopped dreaming and believing.  There are a multitude of reasons why that could be the case.  We need to remove them in prayer, and ask God to put fresh dreams on our hearts.

Whatever is holding us back, we need to bring it to the cross.  As we pray for miracles, it's important to have expectant hearts of faith!

"Be brave.  Be strong.  Don't give up.  Expect God to get here soon."  Psalm 31:24 The Message

"Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours."  Mark 11:24 NIV

"Faith assures us of things we expect and convinces us of the existence of things we cannot see."  Hebrews 11:1 GW

"In the morning, Lord, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait expectantly."  Psalm 5:3 NIV

"I wait expectantly, trusting God to help, for He has promised."  Psalm 130:5 The Living Bible

In Daniel 3:17,18 Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego "expected" God to show up for them - and He did.  Big time!  I want to have that kind of faith.  I want to expect the best - expect God to make a way - expect God to open doors - expect God to bring showers of blessing - expect restoration - expect healings - expect a move of God - expect provision.  I want a heart of expectancy!  I'm praying for that.

Strength for the Weary

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Floyd is resting well.  The doctor told me he is comfortable and peaceful.  That is certainly an answer to prayer and I was so grateful to hear that.  

On the journey of recovery I'm on, I continue to have good days and not-so-good days.  I hope and pray for more of the good days.  I'll be the first to admit that I don't like being weak!  I don't need to be superwoman, but I like to have enough strength and energy to get through my daily activities.  Some days that isn't possible.

I've told the Lord that I'd really appreciate it if He'd help my strength to return more quickly.  As He's so often done on the unexpected journey we're on - He turned my attention to things I can learn during this time.  He truly doesn't waste any of our sorrows, but uses them to help us learn and grow.

The first thing He spoke to my heart is that in weakness as I come to Him, it allows Him to be strong.  The focus is on Him, not me.  There is something very precious about admitting my weakness and allowing His power and strength to help me.  In my weakness, it draws me closer to His heart of love and care for me.  And He is always sufficient!  The well of His strength never runs dry.

He also showed me that there is new humility to be learned in weakness.  I need help in my current situation.  I can't make it on my own.  I have to humbly ask and receive help from friends around me.  I'm so grateful for the love and care of my friends - and I'm humbled by it.  It's okay to not be strong!

I've also had to learn that many things won't get done.  I try to ask the Lord for His priorities for each day.....and not stress about the things that don't get my attention.  When things are staring you right in the face, I find it hard to not stress about them - but I have to focus on the things the Lord draws my attention to.

As I look back over the last few years of this journey, I think about all the "hard" things along the way.  It warms my heart to see that in each hard thing, God taught me so many important lessons.  He drew me closer to Himself, and His grace was sufficient for each thing I faced.  Yes, there have been many points of weakness......that thing I don't like.  But at each of those points He has helped me learn and grow.  He has been faithful to me in each thing I've faced.

" 'My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.'  Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me.....For when I am weak, then I am strong."  2 Corinthians 12:9,10

"My flesh and my heart may fail, but God is the strength of my heart and my portion forever."  Psalm 73:26

"He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak."  Isaiah 40:29 

"I can do all this through Him who gives me strength."  Philippians 4:13

I guess what I'm saying is that in every "season" of this journey - both good things and hard, difficult things - God has used what I've walked through to teach me and draw me closer to Himself.  Keeping my eyes on Him, even thanking Him for everything, requires a deep level of trust.  I'm learning to trust Him more and more.  It's an important part of this journey.

As in so many places around the world, the Covid virus is raging around us.  In the midst of dealing with all the impacts of the pandemic, and the political turmoil, and various other stresses - it's easy to become weary.  I find it helpful and encouraging to remind myself of God's abundant, never-ending, faithful provision to us.

-  He is our strength when we're weak.

-  He has sufficient grace for every need we face.

-  He bears our sorrows and comforts us when we're heavy hearted.

-  He carries our burdens that we cast on Him.

-  He restores our wounded hearts.

-  He heals our sickness and infirmity.

-  He loves and accepts us just as we are.

-  He is always with us, never leaving us, Emmanuel.

-  He is unchanging - no worry about Him being different tomorrow.

-  He is full of mercy.

-  He gives us peace that passes understanding.

-  He is our counselor for the problems we face.

-  He is eternally faithful - we can depend on Him.

-  He rewards us when we diligently seek Him.

-  He gives wisdom when we ask.

-  He delivers us from evil, protects us from the enemy.

-  He is our hope when all seems hopeless.

-  He is at work to complete the work He began in us.

-  He is our Redeemer, lifting the burden of sin from our hearts.

-  He blesses us with all spiritual blessings.

-  He is our joy no matter what we face.

-  He fills us with His Holy Spirit.

The list is truly endless.  He is right beside us, holding our hand and helping us with whatever the day brings our way.  I couldn't make it without Him.  I'm so grateful for His provision for every need I face.

"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 

"The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want."  Psalm 23:1

I am overwhelmed by God's goodness and mercy.  He is there to meet our every need.  He is so faithful!

One Step at a Time

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Floyd's doctor tells me that he's doing good this week.  That's sweet news to hear.  

As I've written about hope and new beginnings in the new year - some have asked how is that possible when things are still so hard.  Covid is still raging, my husband is out of work, members of our family are sick, etc.  Believe me, I understand.  I've been walking through years of a difficult, unexpected journey - and I'm on a hard journey of recovery at the moment......and things are still the same with my dear husband.  These things aren't easy for any of us!

The only way to keep hope alive is to keep our eyes on Jesus rather than the circumstances.  And the only way to move forward and trust for new beginnings......is one step at a time, one day at a time.  It seems so slow, even tedious at times - but it's the only way forward.  We have to protect against hopelessness or despair entering in.  God provided manna in the desert for the children of Israel, and He'll provide the daily "bread" we need each day.

I confess that I like to hurry things along.  I want to be further down the road.  I want to have things "sorted," as they say here in South Africa.  I want to be "done" with all this!  But I'm not in control.  I have to keep my hand in the Lord's, and take one wobbly step at a time.

Every morning I ask the Lord to help me through the day ahead.  Yes, I want to get through the weeks and months ahead.....but I can only do that one day at a time.  It seems slow, but it's God's way forward.  He doesn't give us grace for the next few months.  He gives us grace day by day - even minute by minute.  And I know I couldn't make it without His grace!!

"Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God."  Philippians 4:6

"Don't worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries.  Today's trouble is enough for today."  Matthew 6:34

"You keep him in perfect peace whose mind is stayed on you, because he trusts in you."  Isaiah 26:3

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:22,23

"Blessed be the Lord, who daily bears us up; God is our salvation."  Psalm 68:19

Whenever I have a big project to do, I try to think of ways to break it up into bite size pieces to make it more manageable.  That's how I'm looking at the future - bite size, one day-at-a-time, one step at a time pieces.  As I keep my hand in His, and keep my eyes on Him - I know He'll help me.  And He'll help you!  He is so faithful.

He is Our Hope

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Happy New Year!

I can't say for sure if Floyd knows we are entering a new year.  I often wonder if he's aware of the passage of time.  Either way, I'm grateful to know that the Lord's presence will be close to him as it has been all along our unexpected journey.  I've so often sensed an almost tangible presence of the Lord in his room.  It's very precious. 

I've been home from the hospital for 2 weeks now.  I'm definitely feeling better and gaining a little strength, but it's very slow going.  I pray for full healing and restoring of strength and health.

The Covid virus is raging here right now.  There is a mutant strain that is causing it to spread more rapidly.  Last night the President announced that we are moving from Level 1 to Level 3 of lockdown restrictions.  Hopefully this will help.

In times of difficulty, one of the first things the enemy does is try to get us to lose hope.  Proverbs 29 tells us that without vision (hope), the people perish.  When hope dies in our hearts, it impacts everything else in our lives.  Hope is the flame that needs to burn bright in our hearts to keep us focused on God and His plans for us.

I've always known this, believed this, but I've been learning again how important it is during my time in the hospital and in my recovery time now.  God has been speaking very clearly into my heart to "keep hope alive."  It's something I must actively work at.  It doesn't just happen.  There are several key things I've found helpful.

The first is to focus on the promises in the Word.  His Word is powerful - a mighty tool that we can use.  It's important to read, speak out, and pray His promises.  I claim them as I lift them in prayer.  He is always with us - never leaves us.  He goes before us to guide us.  He leads us through the valley times - we don't need to fear anything we are walking through - He is right with us, helping us along the way.  He is our Rock, our strength, our shelter, our help.  He is all we need.  In difficult moments, I focus on Him.  His grace helps me get through the hard times.  

I've also found it important to keep my mind occupied - staying centered on the promises I've read.  If I let my mind wander, it can easily lead to discouragement, hopelessness, and anxiety.  I love the verse from Philiippians 4:8 that speaks to this.  "Whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable - if anything is excellent or praiseworthy - think about such things."  Such clear instruction about the power and importance of what we think about.  When I'm struggling or having a hard day,  I find this verse to be such a powerful guideline.

Praise and worship is another important key.  I've found that in my weakness as I choose to speak out statements of worship, it releases power and strength to me.  Worship is powerful.  The Lord loves our worship.  I recently read that there are more verses in the Bible about praise and worship than there are about prayer.  God knew how much we would need the "tool" of worship.  It dispels darkness.  It strengthens us.  It puts things in their right perspective.  It takes our attention from ourselves and our needs to the Almighty God who meets our needs.

Focusing on His promises, keeping our thoughts centered on Him, and worshipping Him for His goodness - all are helpful in keeping hope alive in our hearts.

"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

"Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for He who promised is faithful."  Hebrews 10:23

"Those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint."  Isaiah 40:31

"I wait for the Lord, my whole being waits, and in His word I put my hope."  Psalm 130:5

My hope is in Him!!

I have been led to this verse from 2 Corinthians 4:7-9.  "But we have this treasure in jars of clay to show that this all-surpassing power is from God and not from us.  We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed." 

2020 has been a hard year!  For me, for our family, for many dear friends, and probably for every one of you reading this.  It seems the year has flown by in spite of everything, but I'm not sad to see it go.  In the midst of it all, thankfully - because of God's faithfulness and grace - we are not crushed, in despair, abandoned, or destroyed.  God has been by our side and has gotten us through.  He has shown up in His power and faithfulness.  I am so grateful.

I'm praying for new beginnings in this new year.  May we see breakthroughs and answers to prayer!  Let's trust Him and pray for that.

"Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past.  See, I am doing a new thing!  Now it springs up; do you not perceive it?  I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland."  Isaiah 43:18,19

"Because of the Lord's great love we are not consumed, for His compassions never fail.  They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness."  Lamentations 3:22,23

"I lift up my eyes to the mountains - where does my help come from?  My help comes from the Lord, the maker of heaven and earth.  He will not let your foot slip - He who watches over you will not slumber."  Psalm 121:1-3

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to Him, and He will make your paths straight."  Proverbs 3:5,6

As we enter a new year, we step out into something new......but we aren't alone.  He is with us, right by our side.  I'm confident that He has good things in store for us.