When I reflect upon the tremendous changes that have occurred in my life in the past five years, I am amazed. Since 2007 we have pulled away (temporarily) from full time Christian service, relocated back to Michigan, moved our only daughter to Chicago, purchased a house, cared for elderly parents, helped care for my sister, been given the privilege of having a stepfather, become grandparents, married off our daughter, seen her graduate from college, gained a temporary live-in pseudo-son, seen our son-in-law graduate from medical school, saw me graduate from college, and moved our daughter and her family from Chicago to Boston. We have gained friends, lost loved ones, expanded our horizons and narrowed our focus. We have dealt with personal loss and personal illness, and have hurdled each trial (though not always as gracefully as we would have liked) to continue our race toward the finish line.
Standing on the other side of those five years, I look back in wonder at the blessings that we have received. We thought we had my sister for nine months; we had her for four years! We were dismayed at the struggles Samantha went through when she discovered her unplanned pregnancy; we are delighted and doubly blessed by an amazing granddaughter and awesome son-in-law. I was devastated when I was forced to take a full semester off of college due to severe mono; I was incredibly blessed to be free from school responsibilities so I could spend Cindy's last two month with her.
Each step of the way, every struggle that life presented, each new trial that could have spelled disaster, God has turned into abundant blessing. And now, as I sit on the brink of new adventures, new trials, and new triumphs, I can only ask myself, "What does God have in store next?"
Each day, each hour, every minute of the day, God's mercies never change! He is the foundation to build upon. He is the calm in the midst of the storm. He is the everlasting Giver of all that is good.
And so, Dear Reader, I challenge you to reflect as well. Do you see God's artful hand weaving a beautiful tapestry of your life? If not, are you willing to let Him?
"For We know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose". (Romans 8:28)
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