Sharing our burdens and blessings

Wow

God is good. 

I should just stop writing right there and let that just be my post, but to neglect to back that up with my experiences recently would leave me aching to tell more.

It has been one month since Will has injured his knee and we have been tested and we have come out stronger.  He was operated on yesterday morning and though he is in pain and exhausted, we are grateful and thankful.

I have never been one that finds it easy to ask for help, let alone accept it. But recently after Will’s injury, diagnosis, surgery and subsequent inability to work, we have been brought to that point where we must drop our pride and allow others to share our burdens.  It is not easy for either of us and I think it brings me conviction on how I also struggle to jump up and tend to other's needs as I should.

I am very humbled, very overwhelmed, and very thankful for those that have pushed through our “we are fine, we can manage” mentality and overcame it with blessings.  From food to finances we have had an abundance of faithful servants coming to our aid.  We feel undeserving of such a response but we are very grateful for all who have prayed so diligently for us and have served us in such beautiful ways. 

It simply amazes me how God uses others to care for us and the existence of many people praying over us actually feels tangible as evidence from our complete peace and even joy during this time.  We look ahead.  We look to the day where Will is healed.  We look excitedly to the day where our little unborn baby boy is in our arms.  We look with joy to the day where we can turn and be that help and blessing to those in our lives that are also in need. 

But now we rejoice in where God has brought us today. 

We rest in thankfulness and reflection of the unexpected gifts and provision that God has been so evidently orchestrating in our lives.  We are undeserving.  We hope, however, that our faith in this current season can be an encouragement to others that are going through their own trials.  We are also overjoyed that we can be that example to our fully attentive front row audience…our children.  They watch us.  They listen to us.  They mimic us, and we hope that our example will grow their faith now and when they go through difficult situations.  May they turn to God always and allow Him first place in their hearts and lives!

Let us not hide our hurts, fears, or struggles.  Let us share and also pray for others in the rough moments in their lives so that we may follow up with the undeniable blessings that God WILL provide.  Whether in this life or the next, God will make all things new and bring all things together for our good and for His Glory.  May God be praised in ALL moments, for it is in those moments that He makes us more like Him if we turn and let Him hold and carry us through.

Will and I had recently led worship at our church and had purposefully chosen songs directly pertaining to where we were in this season of our lives.  So, I want to leave you with the lyrics of one that spoke such truth to our life.

"Never Once"

by Matt Redman

Standing on this mountaintop

Looking just how far we’ve come

Knowing that for every step

You were with us

Kneeling on this battle ground

Seeing just how much You’ve done

Knowing every victory

Was Your power in us

Scars and struggles on the way

But with joy our hearts can say

Yes, our hearts can say

Never once did we ever walk alone

Never once did You leave us on our own

You are faithful, God, You are faithful

Every step we are breathing in Your grace

Evermore we’ll be breathing out Your praise
You are faithful, God, You are faithful