Ok. So I’m diverging from writing about the church this for a more personal post today.
Lord, don’t hold back your tender mercies from me.
Let your unfailing love and faithfulness always protect me.
For troubles surround me—
too many to count! Psalm 40:11-12
My journey into motherhood has taken me places I really never wanted to go. Some I did, but I had no idea what I was getting into. I have labored. I have wept over my children. I have buried a child. I began adopting two children only to have one of those adoptions disrupted this week. I have spent nights wiping tears of grief. I have spent nights weeping with a child who has lost his world. He misses his mommy and daddy and my heart aches for my son. I have answered questions of life and death and tragedy to children who have already been cut by the pain of this world. The past few months have surrounded me with troubles. Troubles that are too many to count.
But through all the struggles and trials there is a truth that needs revealed. I am struck and convicted by this truth.
God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble. Psalm 46:1
He is a very present help. He is not a distant help. He is not far off. He is not watching our suffering. He is not even just present. He is very present right in the middle of trouble.
I witnessed him work this the other night. My husband was gone. I was in crisis mode. My head was swirling. I needed stability. I needed direction. No one knew what was going on. My phone beeped. “Are you OK?” Was the message. I was not OK.
But what I needed reminded of in that moment was that I was not alone, even in my crisis.
I want to encourage you with that truth today. Whatever you are going through. Satan’s attacks are cruel and personal. But the greater reality is that our God is right there. He is there providing refuge. He is there providing strength. And with that, you will overcome. I will overcome.
But you belong to God, my dear children. You have already won a victory over those people, because the Spirit who lives in you is greater than the spirit who lives in the world. I John 4:4
