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.

In the midst of the storm

This was last Thursday.

The track meet continued even though it was raining.

The track meet continued even though it was very windy.

The track meet paused briefly while it hailed, but didn’t stop.

In fact, I was impressed at the drive of the athletes in such weather.

Our daughter asked her coach if she had ran faster in the races she entered than her best times at other meets  (it’s called a pr).

“PR? Not in this weather, you’re not going to PR.”

Then he assured her she ran very well.

Just as the meet was finishing up the sun broke through the clouds.

A rainbow.

In the midst of the storm our athletes gave their best.

In the midst of the wind blown rain, they ran their races, or jumped or threw.

It is in the midst of trials, tragedy, and tests we prove a few truths.

When I’m struggling with poor health I’m not going to run my race as well as when I feel fine.

When people I love are dealing with weighty circumstances the effort to continue in the daily grind will be more.

When God is showing me areas of sin in my life, I’m going to feel discomfort, even pain.

Yet through the storm He is ever constant.

Through the effort, He builds strength.

Through the clouds, He breaks through with beauty.

In the midst of the storm it is going to be difficult to run my very best, but the self discipline and perseverance I gain are well worth it.

It causes me to be able to run the race of life even better when times and seasons are sunnier.

As I look toward another weekend and the week following I’m asking the Lord to break through the storm of busy.

To help me run no matter the weather.

I look toward the Lord instead of the storm.