STAND

Just about a year ago I was thinking and praying about a word for the year 2020.....STAND.  Along with the word Stand I was given the verses from 1 Corinthians16:13-14; Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous; be strong. Do everything in love.  

I pondered what that word might mean for the fresh, new year...

Would it mean, I can take a stand and use my voice for those who suffered from sexual abuse?

Would it mean, I will finally stand and use my experience of infant loss to help others? 

 I had no idea of how 2020 was about to unfold. Isaiah was involved in an auto/pedestrian accident in which the pedestrian later died. That prompted some trauma counseling and some sleepless nights. 

Mike's employer went through a major merger eliminating all overtime... meaning we took a huge hit, financially. February brought illness to Noah. He was in and out of school for a period of about 2-3 weeks. (thinking back I truly wonder if he had one of the earliest cases of Covid). 

 I took a solo drive down to Camp Lejeune, North Carolina to pick up Luke after his combat engineer schooling.  As the year progressed so did the stressors in my life....

major furnace repair and later in the year, an AC repair in which we found out that the time is drawing very near to purchase an entire new HVAC system.  Covid 19 reared its ugly head causing The Great Toilet Paper Shortage, cleaning supply shortage and other shortages. We had to replace the engine in our newest automobile and replace two major appliances.  Elizabeth attempted suicide and was in a mental health facility for 3 days. A dear friend of mine lost her son to suicide.  Elizabeth and I drove to WI for the service. Luke was quarantined 2 different times and was in 2 different automobile accidents. One left him with a concussion. I was sick for about 2 weeks in August. Mike accepted a job offer in Indianapolis and will be making that transition following Thanksgiving. I am now being sued in regard to the auto accident from January. We are gearing up to see another kiddo graduate this school year. 

Along the way, I have prayed without ceasing. I have watched friends walk through some very dark days. I have two friends who are facing breast cancer and another friend we rejoiced in not having cancer. My dear friend who lost her son also had to say goodbye to her dad. Another sweet friend has a dad in ICU as I type this. Mike's mom is in poor health. 

I am tired and weary but I am clinging to Christ and trusting in Him. 

Have you ever heard people say, "God will never give you more than you can handle?" That is a false statement. God WILL give us more than we can handle. I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. The power comes from Him, not me. I'm just a willing vessel. When I look at this year through the flesh, I could say this year sucked. However, when I look through the Spirit, I see Him at work in each and every circumstance I just listed. God provides and sustains, and I am choosing to rest in Him.