some thoughts...

I know that I usually reserve the blog for updates about the kids and what they are doing, but this morning I have some thoughts I want to share with you.  So, please bear with me.

This has been a strange week.  It began last Thursday with a call telling us that our dear, dear friend Bethany had lost her dad suddenly to a massive heart attack.  Sadly, he was plucked literally from the prime of his life.  And so, with heavy hearts, we made the trip to Dalton, GA, to offer our support to our sweet friend and her family.  That trip is one I will definitely never forget.  To see that family's unshakable faith was truly amazing.  They were able to see that God is in control, no matter how hard it is for us to understand.  Their strength and faith have made an indelible impression on my heart.  And the legacy left by their dear father is one that can hardly be rivaled by any of the Lord's servants.  It was a true celebration of his life and his service to the Lord, and I was honored to be a part of it.

And now, this week, my family is dealing with struggles of our own.  My grandfather, my dad's father, has been sick for some time, but he has taken a turn for the worse.  Currently my family is in somewhat of a holding pattern waiting to see if the doctors' final life-saving attempts will spare his life or not. It is a strange and difficult position in which I find myself. 

 I was attempting to go about my daily business this morning, and it came time for my Bible study I am working on.  It is a study of David taught by Priscilla Shirer, Beth Moore, and Kay Arthur.  For several reasons, I am behind on my homework, but the Lord had a plan for that.

I knew this lesson would be poignant because Beth Moore had been leading us through a discussion of being transformed through devastation, and each lesson has been so helpful and fitting.  But today's was incredibly moving and helpful, so I felt the need to share it with anyone who would listen.

Our discussion was based around Psalm 30, in which David describes how the Lord turned his "waling into dancing."  How many of you are now singing, "He has turned my mourning into dancing..."?  I know I was and still am.  And I saw that scripture in such a new light this morning given the current situations around me.  And my heart is overflowing with gratitude to our God for the fact that he really does "turn our mourning/wailing into dancing." We have an assurance that cannot be shaken or taken away. No matter what sort of devastation is going on in our lives, the Lord is right there guiding us through it--refining us through fire sometimes.  I can have peace today knowing that whatever happens with my grandfather or any other situation in my life, I have a foundation of love that will not be moved.  And that is all I need.  What an amazing comfort.  

Thank you for listening to me ramble this morning.  I hope that when you are experiencing a time of devastation or grief, that you will remember to look to Psalm 30 and see how God brought David through every hardship and how his love for God was so great that he couldn't keep silent.  I guess that's how I feel right now--I couldn't keep silent.