It was a beautiful start to the day.
My friend came over for coffee. We live a handful of miles from each other. Three months ago we agreed to have a Saturday morning coffee date each month, alternating who hosts it. She’s been my friend since fifth grade, and we seem to have more in common now than we ever have. Coffee with her, as always, was refreshing.
But after her departure, it didn’t take long for my great day to fall apart. A snowball effect began…
A trip my husband and I were invited to go on was halted because of my volunteer responsibilities. I cried. Literally.
My daughter called with some shocking and break-my-heart kind of news. I cried. Again.
Ketchup was spilled on our living room cream-colored carpet. It’s a good thing my tears were already spent, otherwise I might have cried at that, too.
I walked out to our mailbox and realized I missed the mailman. My friend’s birthday card will be late. (I’m so sorry, Patty.) Thankfully no tears came, as they would have frozen to my face.
The snowball began to pick up speed.
A new career (What in the world am I doing??). A sick kitten (Can she just start feeling better please??). Absent results from recent ultrasound (I just want to know all is okay!!). An evasion of grief (Death, I don’t like you!). Feelings of being overwhelmed, overcome, life spinning out of control, and hold on… I think I’m going to be sick.
The snowball raced downward, faster and faster.
Until I did one thing as I walked back from our mailbox.
I took a moment to remember… God is in control.
I whispered in the moment,
“God, I trust you.”
There is something that happens when we remember. The weight of the world lifts off our shoulders. Grief lessens. Hope invades as we are reminded everything isn’t up to us to handle. Feelings of despair dissipate, and our hearts return to their normal beating.
I called my daughter and reminded her to remember. To remember all God has done in the past, and to remember He’s still in control now. How interesting it was to find she was praying for God’s will, remembering that very truth.
I invite you to do the same. To remember.
Right where you are at. In that situation you are walking through. As you look in disbelief at the size of the mountain ahead of you. In the fight you are facing. As you wonder at the unknown future.
Remember God is in control. Rest knowing you don’t have to be.
So all the world from east to west will know there is no other God.
I am the Lord, and there is no other.
I create the light and make the darkness.
I send good times and bad times.
I, the Lord, am the one who does these things.
Isaiah 45:6-7 NLT
Let’s remember together. And whisper,
“God, I trust you.”
Blessings,
Julie
Linking this post with Deb at Faith ‘n Friends, Barbie for #WeekendWhispers, & Susan for #DanceWithJesus.
Julie,
Oh can I hear you. You did exactly what we are called to do. Stop, drop and pray. Find the One who can and will watch over us in good times and bad. Great post. Thank you.
Blessings,
Janis
Hi Janis! Good plan… stop, drop, and pray. Amen. Thank YOU for stopping over to share your wisdom. Blessings to you!
(((hugs))) and prayers for you as you trust God through these hard times. Thanks for taking the time to share this encouragement with the rest of us!
So thankful He’s with us always. Thank you for stopping in!
Well-said, Julie.
I’m not dealing with a snowball…it’s more like an avalanche, and I’m being hit so hard I can’t sit up straight.
God seems kind of absent sometimes…it hurts so much and I am so tired…but faith is belief in things unseen, and I’ll go with that.
I can only imagine the avalanche you must be experiencing. I’m so sorry you are, but I thank you for how you are blessing others with your words of truth and hope. Keep the faith and fight.
Life has a way of knocking the wind out of us, that’s for sure. And we certainly need the reminder to remember God is in control. Praying for you and your family, sweet friend! Thanks for sharing your heart and your hurts.
Sometimes it just helps to know someone else is going through hard times. Thanks, friend!
It’s a relief to not have to be in control sometimes…now if I can only remember that when the snowball races down my hill! I’m sorry for the difficulties you have faced this week, friend. May God show you clearly how He is working in each and every circumstance. Much love!
Holly, He’s so good to us. I’m thankful we don’t have to go through anything alone. Thanks, friend for your encouragement!
Those 4 words are very powerful. “God, I trust you.” In those words, we are essentially handing over our stress, concerns, worries… And are grasping His hand as we go forward in whatever situation(s) we’re facing. Hugs Julie.
Amen, Kim. Your words bless me. I appreciate you, friend.
So timely. Thank you!
Bless you, Barbie. Much love.