Dear God, I will praise You in this storm

Dear God,

I am reminded of the amazing song  that says, “I will praise You in this storm.”  Even though I spend many of my days in physical pain, I know that I have to look toward the day that I will be with You in heaven where You promise that there will be NO more pain. I thank You for Your promises and in the assurance that every word that You have ever spoken is pure truth.

In Ecclesiastes 3:1-8, You remind us that there is a time for everything. There is a season for every activity under the heaven.  A time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.

As I read Your word it gives such a great comfort and joy. You know when I am full of  joy and when I allow my own fears to take root and bring me to a place of despair. For this I truly stand in awe of Your greatness. For every desire that I have to grow and to find nourishment in the meat of Your word, I also find such contentment and solace. When I lost a child by miscarriage and thought that I could not go on, You gave me a hope for a bright future with the anticipation that there would be another that would fill our hearts with hope and pride. When that child did arrive and became very sick, I did not buckle under the weight of the oppression. You had already given me the strength that I would need to fight the good fight and to give us the ability to see Your merciful hands at work. In the moments when doctors gave little hope, You gave us the confidence to keep living each day with the knowledge that You would restore him to health and make his struggle a testament to Your glory. I thank You each and every day for that amazing gift. Cooper has brought great pride and love to our family.

I also remember when as a young bride, I wanted to be a mother so badly. My thoughts and desires were always hinged on making that dream a reality. I will never forget the very night that I knelled beside my bed, and pleaded with You to allow me just one miracle. I was told by my doctor that children weren’t possible. But with Christ ALL things are possible. I felt Your love and warmth that moment in prayer. I felt Your presence with me. I also remember the promise that I made to You that night. I promised that if I were given a child, that I would raise him with the love and knowledge of the very Savior whom would grant me my petition. I am so proud to say that Spencer loves You so much Lord. He has accepted You in salvation and is diligent to read Your word, and prays with a reverent heart.

How blessed am I, to have been given my children to raise and to teach them of the one whom died so that we might live! I love You so much Lord!

Your word tells us that “Wisdom is a shelter as money is a shelter, but the advantage of knowledge is this: that wisdom preserves the life of its possessor.” Ecclesiastes 7:12

I know that money is a necessity in this world, and I am blessed that my needs are met. But, as Solomon also knew, to ask for wisdom is the wisest request. For if we know that each of us is capable of making our decisions based on Your desires for us to flourish and live a life of glory to You, then nothing else will matter to us, but striving to be our best to reflect Your perfection.

Thank You God for never giving up on me. Thank You for giving me strength when I am weak, for food when I am hungry, for shelter from the cold, and most of all for Your free gift accepted by faith through Your majestic grace.

Enjoying my time given for everything,

Gina