It is no secret that this has been a difficult year, not just for us, but for many people struggling with many different challenges. The past couple weeks for us have been no exception. In the midst of all of it though, I cannot help but remember that I am blessed. I am so thankful that I still have my home and my family. As my Aunt LaVila reminds me from time to time, "No one is dead or dying." We have had challenges, but none of them too serious in the long term view of life.

I have joked before that my favorite verse in the Bible is "And it came to pass..." In some ways it is more than a joke!

I recently had a conversation with a friend about the idea of seeing God more clearly in the rear-view mirror. It is so interesting to look back at moments in our life that we struggled and see what God was up to. Sometimes things are too cloudy in the moment. However, in our conversation the analogy was carried on that if you spend to much time looking in the rear view mirror you are in grave danger of going off course. That really stuck vividly with me. I think it is good to look back and set up stones of remembrance, but never forget to keep your eyes straight ahead to see where God is leading you for the future.

Recently my sweet Mother-in-Law gave me a new song book. Playing the piano is such a great way for me to relax and get my soul and mind renewed, so tonight amidst the stress I sat down to play for a little while. The first song I came across was "His Strength is Perfect" by Steven Curtis Chapman. Here is the song if you are unfamiliar with it.



I had forgotten that Steven Curtis Chapman had written it. Recently their family has been through some tremendous struggles, yet through it all they glorified God and never lost sight of what He might be doing. What a testimony and encouragement!

As Tom Fettke so frequently does so beautifully in his arrangements, the next song in the medley was "God Will Make A Way."




from there I played on into " All Your Anxiety."
Here are the lyrics to that well-loved Hymn.

All your anxiety, all your care,
Bring to the mercy seat Leave it there
Never a burden He cannot bear,
Never a friend like Jesus

As I played the notes on the piano, I loved that in the other room my sweet husband started singing along as he helped Tucker get ready for bed. In the midst of the stress, the bills, the hurts, the unknown, and the annoyances, the souls of our household were refreshed.

Isn't God good.