Suddenly…

I was awakened, again.

It had been happening all night, but this time it wasn’t distant, it was loud and nearby.

It was a tree, falling and the branches hitting our bedroom window.

Last night was the second night in a row of freezing rain.

And the poor trees couldn’t handle the weight.

Power was lost during the night.

My husband didn’t sleep hardly at all due to the sounds of trees falling all around us.

This morning he and our son left to help move trees and branches from the roads.

Ordinarily, my husband wouldn’t have been able to cut down much as we no longer have a chainsaw.

But God…

Our son-in-law had left his in our garage just a few days ago.

So, my husband even has the tools needed to help.

I’m so thankful to the Lord for His provision.

Just yesterday I was saying to someone, “Only God knows what will happen tomorrow and I trust Him to provide for whatever that is.”

And He has.

Although, in floor heating won’t work, we have a propane topped stove, so I can still cook.

We have a propane fireplace, so it’s not too chilly.

The truck has gas in it, so my husband can drive.

We have a generator and plenty of gasoline.

Even the tree falling didn’t break the window.

Truly, we are so very well provided for.

And I know from experience that if something worse had occurred, God would have provided for that as well.

Because He is our provision.

Psalm 55:22 KJV — Cast thy burden upon the LORD, and he shall sustain thee: he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.

He provided a way for our souls to be saved and has not neglected our daily needs.

It is of the Lord’s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him.
Lamentations 3:22‭-‬24 KJV
https://bible.com/bible/1/lam.3.22-24.KJV

Psalm 79:9 NKJV — Help us, O God of our salvation, For the glory of Your name; And deliver us, and provide atonement for our sins, For Your name’s sake!

The Lord is great and greatly to be praised, for His faithfulness and salvation is everlasting.

Psalm 145:3 NKJV — Great is the LORD, and greatly to be praised; And His greatness is unsearchable.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for providing so much for us each and every day. Thank You for walking with us and providing for all our needs. Lord, thank You for keeping us safe from the storm. Lord, may we never allow the things of this life shake our steadfast trust in You and Your salvation. Lord Jesus, You are amazing and we praise Your holy name. Thank You. Amen.

Third day

It’s really good.

This opportunity to have a safe place I can breathe.

It’s really a blessing.

My family who serve me, love me, pray for me.

It’s really humbling.

This taste of confinement, so comfortable and pretty, when others experience poverty, illness, need, displacement, fear, and persecution.

It’s really sweet.

All the texts and prayers of others.

Those who are concerned about me and our family.

It’s really incredible.

To think about how I stopped counting the days of confinement when I was too sick to get out of bed.

To realize how much God has healed me and how blessed I am to have another day.

It’s really an opportunity.

To stay safe in my room and pray for those who are out working to stop the blaze, those who are helping others find safety, those who have left everything behind, and those who are frightened and uncertain what tomorrow will bring.

“Lord, please be with each one.”

To spend time before my Lord lifting up so many.

To praise Him for His faithfulness and His mercy.

To worship Him, no matter what tomorrow brings, because:

He is worthy.

Bless the Lord , O my soul! O Lord my God, You are very great: You are clothed with honor and majesty,
Psalms 104:1 NKJV

I will call upon the Lord , who  is  worthy to be praised; So shall I be saved from my enemies.
II Samuel 22:4 NKJV

And one cried to another and said: “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!”
Isaiah 6:3 NKJV

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You so much for Your Word. It is such a comfort. There is such depth of wisdom, knowledge, and encouragement. Lord Jesus, please stop those who would harm others or put people in danger. Please strengthen those who are serving communities and providing for others. Lord, let those who are struggling find their comfort in You. Please protect the innocent and place a hedge of protection around the weak. Lord, nothing that is done is missed by You. Thank You for watching over us all with such love and compassion, mercy and grace. Thank You for being God Almighty, our place of refuge. Amen.

Where do we go when…

Yesterday, I was surprised as I opened the map on the internet.

Our area is dealing with poor air quality due to the smoke, but I wasn’t prepared for the West Coast to be on fire.

And the fires didn’t improve as the day went on, they grew worse.

Thankfully the air purifier is working well and we still have power.

The kids spent a good portion of their day with me in the bedroom where my air purifier is.

My husband had to work late.

When he arrived home, he informed me that there’s ash in the garage where it has blown in under the door.

The smoke is better today and I was hoping to get to leave the bedroom, but upon inspection, my husband thought it best I stay in our room again today.

Of course, when something like this happens you want to know what the latest information is.

Especially when I received texts all day as to the fires down south near our friends and family.

I wanted to know what the evacuations were for today, so I got on the internet.

To see all the fires burning from California, Oregon, and Washington is sad.

As I was reading the evacuation notices, my heart had to ask:

“Where will everyone go?”

Revelation 1:8 KJV — I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the ending, saith the Lord, which is, and which was, and which is to come, the Almighty.

God is where we should go.

Yes, there are people who need to change locations, but where will anyone find peace in the midst of disaster is only in Christ Jesus.

Just because things look bad doesn’t mean God is less able than before.

Our perspective is so limited, there is no way for us to truly see all that God is doing during this.

I will say of the Lord , “He is my refuge and my fortress; My God, in Him I will trust.”
Psalms 91:2 NKJV

My heart looks to Jesus.

I don’t know what is best, nor how this will all end up, but that is all the more reason to look to the Lord.

God is not surprised by any of this.

I’m positive He is working through it all.

Through the Lord ’s mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They  are new every morning; Great is Your faithfulness.
Lamentations 3:22‭-‬23 NKJV

And so, I’m praying.

Because God is still in control, no matter the circumstances.

Dear Lord Jesus,

Thank You for Your Word. Thank You for Your promises. Please continue to guide and direct us. Please be with our fire workers and emergency staff. Please help people to have compassion, understanding, and wisdom in this time. Lord, show Yourself, reveal Your truth to the people, both in our State and in our Nation. Lord Jesus, thank You for Your loving kindness. Thank You for Your protection and a refuge in times of trouble. May our hearts realize that as long as our souls are safe in You, there is nothing to fear. Thank You. Amen.