Welcome Trials as a Friend

Making new friends these past couple of weeks---it's called trials. My boys are in the driveway changing a flat...we've had more stories this week than usual. Even caught a raccoon in our attic. YUK! I could barely watch all the boys who live in my house who were ecstatic with adventure on this journey of ridding the raccoon from Rush Street as I gasped the air out of our house in horror.

Well, I just pulled together a Brandon post of this eventful weekend involving:
Britt's high school formal
Barrett capturing rocky raccoon
Britt and Dirk
Barrett's World Cup in Korea
but I can't find the camera cord so I will save the photo collage for another day.

I started a new job this week as a permanent substitute teacher with the local public school district working at different high schools where it is very difficult to secure a substitute teacher. I've been at alternative schools and special ed with the medically fragile. Needless to say, the job is challenging. I am so grateful for a full-time job. I have so many stories after one week but I'll spare you. My God has shown up for me this week in incredible ways. C.S. Lewis wrote that our God is not a static thing. He is a dynamic, pulsating Life. Almost like a drama. Almost like a dance. And I believe at this place that I am in, my beautiful God has invited me into a deeper dance with HIM. I'm so grateful to HIM for answering my prayers and I am finding HIM. Yesterday, we read a verse that said to ask God for a sign that He was present, and I did. I can't find the reference this minute. The thought came to my mind to turn on the radio. I asked God if I heard right. The thought came again and again so I dropped what I was doing and went for the radio. As I turned it on, the "DJ" announced a new unfamiliar song and the words began to flow and float and flabbergast me. "God is watching over you." God sees you where you are.

Bob is still in-between jobs. A couple of churches have been interviewing him---it's a process. My prayer for my husband is a chronological verse we read Sunday (I've jumped ahead) in Psalm 78. Just as God chose David and took him from the sheep pens, I pray that our God would take my husband from tending to his physical work to be a shepherd of people, once again. And may Bob continue to learn to shepherd with integrity of heart, with skillful hands. Psalm 78: 70-72. That's what he longs to do.

The past weeks have been difficult, challenging times, but it is our God Who is so showing up, continuing to detach us from dependence on every source of joy other than being in relationship with HIM. Not having a successful ministry. Not having our lives turn out successful. Not even healing or understanding or insight or guidance. Only God Himself can be our goal. And it is through His Providential blessings and suffering that His Spirit is moving in our lives. No easier path. No shortcuts through ByPass Meadow---remember that meadow in Pilgrim's Progress?

May we all know better how to welcome suffering, as James said, when he was inspired by God: welcome your trials as friends.