The Day is Dawning, How Will You Live This Day? . . .Day #13 of Thankfulness

The day dawns.

White crisp flakes fall to the ground.

The blanket of white enveloping the land.

Our sins are made as white as snow.
Isaiah 1:18
Come now, let us settle the matter,
says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, 
they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, 
they shall be like wool.

One gave, that we may have eternal life.

I keep hearing the voice of the Officer.
There's been an accident.
Is he ok?
silence
I'm sorry.
It plays over and over in my head.
The heart drop feeling.
The moment my life changed forever.

I can remember saying to the officer that God is in control. 
He gives and he takes away.
Blessed be the Name of the LORD.

I don't understand the ways of God.
I can not fathom why he would take such a young man.
My son.
So loved.
My heart aches with wanting answers.
And now my husband.
My sweet, quiet, hard working farmer.
Why?
But, as I have said. . .why not?
Why not my whole family?

James 1:2-4
Consider it pure joy, my brothers and sisters,
 whenever you face trials of many kinds, 
 because you know that the testing of your faith produces perseverance. 
 Let perseverance finish its work so that you may be mature and complete, 
not lacking anything.

God is good because of who He is. . .not because of what He does.
And we are told we would face trials.
That this life would be hard.
What do we do with that trial is how we live and glorify God.
This journey is not easy.
I still would do anything to have Elijah back.
To make our fractured family whole.

But I have died to myself.
It is Christ who lives in me.
And it is in Him that we live and have our being.
It is in Him we have Hope.
So I lay it all down.
I surrender all that I am.
So that Christ may fill my cup.
He is no stranger to our pain.

Galatians 2:20
I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, 
but Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body,
 I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me.

Day #13 of Thankfulness

I am thankful for:

Even though we are in great trial we have great peace

John 14:27

Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. 

I do not give to you as the world gives. 

Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.

My mother-who gave me the greatest gift in my faith

My mother's example of walking with cancer

her journey to come to believe that the cancer had become a blessing

this community and the giving that is still happening

feeling wrapped in a hug on days we want to fall apart

people who understand farming and are willing to help

 my step daughter and her husband who bring me great joy

my children who are willing to live for Christ no matter how hard things are

Seasons to be Thankful

No matter your trial today, or even your utmost joy. 

May you find that peace and joy in the grace of the One who gave all, so we could live.

And every blessing you pour out I will turn back to praise

And when the darkness closes in. . .Lord. .. still I will say

Blessed Be the Name of the Lord. 

Listen. . . to those drums. . .listen. . .