There have been a number of "AH HA" moments this week with Jesus. For which I find myself lying awake at night saying "thank you Jesus, thank you Jesus", overwhelmed by circumstances as they are many and more over whelmed by His ever present reminders IT IS I.
As I continue to struggle through facing demons of the past, I am reminded I AM NOT THERE ANY MORE and the situation, although it has impacted me and who I am, it did not define me and it did not break me. I am braver than I believed, I am stronger than I knew I was and I am loved and cherished by my heavenly Father who knows no end to the compassion, love or protection He shows me.
My niece, continues to be in protective custody. My brother upset with me I believe because I didn't jump on his band wagon isn't talking with me. I'm alright with that, I understand his need for understanding and support. I love my brother, and I want (ohhh do I want to ) have an understanding for what is happening. The truth is there isn't a straight honest answer and many excuses and denial. I'm feeling sorrow for my brother, but not sorry. He is a grown man who is capable of making the right choices and choosing how he handles and deals with his situation. And, I would presume he is handling it how he deems fit. Which is fine. I also have a niece in the situation, who isn't able to make a choice, have a voice and is in the care of a complete stranger. My heart aches beyond measure for them in this situation. My prayer has been she be loved and protected and kept safe. God is near, right there with her, arms around her, loving hands upon her - keeping her safe and showing her love. God is hearing her little heart and loving her. Today my brother has a hearing. My prayer is it goes well for him, for their family. My prayer is God's will be done and my precious niece be where God believes she will be best loved and cared for.
My cousin continues to move through the reality she is a Cancer patient. Planning her surgery, tests, tests and more tests. Her husband and children beside her, her mother & father supporting them and her extended family and friends rally for all of them. She is brave, she is strong and she is a woman of faith who knows, God will use this to see good things come to pass. She is going to walk through this, God beside her, family surrounding her and she will turn back and declare I AM A CANCER SURVIVOR! I can't wait : )
Our family continues to journey through the process of purchasing the home we believe God has lead us to. There have been bumps and detours along the way, but through it all God has been steadfast and has made clear TRUST IT ALL TO ME and I WILL LEAD YOU THROUGH IT! We listed our current home on Sunday. Tuesday night we had not one but TWO showings. (thank you Jesus) We worked over the weekend to "tidy" the house to prepare for showing. Yesterday I was feeling anxious and worried I'd missed something. GOD IS GOOD.. I received a call on my lunch from the school. My daughter was ill, with a fever. SIGH. We came home, I gave her medicine and bundled her up. She was OUT. I took advantage of that moment and decided to do a few things around the house. In the midst of it I took a deep breath and said THANK YOU Jesus for the time to step back, relax and be reminded HE IS WITH ME. just a few short minutes later, I got a text from my son, which shared that SAME THOUGHT... and noting, God is GOOD! *YES HE IS! The house in order, my baby on the couch, I was able to sit down and relax knowing I could cuddle with my girl and the house, now in order would need to do the rest.
We showed the house to the first couple - whom I actually knew, but didn't know at the time of setting up the appointment. They journeyed through our home and genuinely gave us a feeling of interest. PRAISE GOD this morning we received a message asking if they could come back. I paused and said THANK YOU JESUS and prayed over this family & their situation. Our prayer in the mornings has been the family who comes to own this home be blessed - just as we have been blessed in finding what our hearts desire is.
Sometimes it is all a matter of perspective I believe. So easy to see what ISN'T going right, most certainly if what IS going right isn't in big productive form. And I believe one must count the little blessings, because it is the little blessings that add up to something much BIGGER than we imagined. God is good, He is near and God is ever present in all circumstances. THANK YOU JESUS, THANK YOU!