It was early, but not too early.
I had been awake for awhile when my phone began ringing.
To my surprise and delight it was Bell.
Where they currently are they have to find a cafe to use WIFI so I’d not expected to hear from them.
Yet there they sat, in a cafe, video chatting.
Then I received several beautiful pictures.
A number of which brought tears to my eyes because I recognized the areas.
It was such a pleasure to hear from our daughter and to see where they were.
Later the same morning I thought it would be nice to video chat our other daughter.
Since I had heard she was alone due to my husband being called into work.
To my surprise and joy she answered and behind her stood my husband.
He had already returned from work and they were both able to chat.
As the morning wore on I got ready for church and made sure Jase was ready.
We all piled into the car and arrived at church.
We walked in and took up a short row.
The pastor began announcements and I was surprised.
My chest had tightened and was giving me all the wrong signals.
I got up and went to the Ladies’ Room in hopes of getting some relief.
After taking my rescue inhaler twice I impatiently waited for relief.
It didn’t come.
The sound of women’s heal clicks alerted me to the presence of some one else, which frankly caused me some stress.
I’ve learned the average person has no idea what an asthma attack looks like nor what to do.
Instead they get worried or embarrassed.
To my relief it was our oldest daughter checking on me.
It didn’t take long to decide she should drive me back to the house.
Jase came too, as he was concerned.
Sis dropped us off to return to church with Tim and their sweet baby.
As we went inside I patted Jase.
“Don’t worry, we will have church at home with Jesus.”
He got a snack and I found a sermon on YouTube and we listened to Alister Begg.
It was titled Anxiety.
I thought it was extremely fitting.
When the sermon closed my heart was surprised again at the warmth of comfort and the growth of peace.
My day had been full of surprise, some good and others less than appealing.
Yet through each I could clearly see the Lord’s care and guidance.
None of these things surprised Him.
And although I have no idea what is next, I can walk forward free from anxiety.
Sunday’s surprises taught me that.
Dear Lord Jesus,
Thank You for Your constant and continued love for me and all of mankind. I am astonished by how You work everything together for the good of those who love You and are called according to Your purpose. Thank You for the reminder to shun stress and live without anxiety. How great are Your ways. How much higher and better than anything I am able to truly comprehend.
patientlyhopeful 