Is It Well With YOUR Soul?

"Be anxious for nothing, but in EVERYTHING by prayer and supplication, WITH THANKSGIVING, LET your requests be made known to God: and the PEACE OF GOD, WHICH PASSES ALL UNDERSTANDING, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus." Philippians 4:6-7

In early April, our 7 year old grandson fell and broke the femur bone in his left leg right above the knee. He was flown to Toledo Children's Hospital where surgery was performed and he remains in a full body cast at this writing. He will remain in the body cast for several weeks yet and eventually go into a one leg cast. Justin is going to be okay. His healing process and return to normal will be very, very long.

On April 22, 2008, my stepdaughter, Bill's oldest daughter passed away at the age of 42. She had suffered a long, horrible dying process. At her service on Friday, Bill was not recognized at all as her dad, yet our sons were recognized as her stepbrothers.

Work conditions at work remain such a challenge. I know it is the same everywhere. The work load is so heavy and so few to work. It's really hard on my coworkers and I. When you are in constant pain and don't feel good anyway.......well.......working can be a challenge let alone under difficult circumstances.

Early Tuesday morning, May 6, I was called with the news our youngest son's house had burnt to the ground. Shad has been working in Louisiana for weeks. We are so grateful no one was at home. He has lost everything. It was 14 months ago an electrical fire caused substantial damage to this same house. Shad told us he thought someone was trying to tell him he wasn't suppose to have a house there.

Just yesterday,(May 7),I was called and asked to help make a major decision concerning Mom. Mom's heart is trying to stop but the defibulator is not allowing it to. Mom was constantly being shocked by electrical current which causes her a lot of pain. My sister, two brothers, and I had been given two choices.

Mom's life remains in God's hands just as it always has been. I don't care what is done to her or for her here on this earth, God remains in control. Mom will not go home one second sooner than what is God's own timing. The decision was made to have the defibulator disconnected saving Mom from the pain she was having from it. Mom will not go one minute sooner than God intends. I rest in that.

Yesterday as I sat with Mom, we did our own thing just as we have all my life. We laughed, we talked, we hugged. We sang, "I've got a mansion just over the hilltop. In that fair land where we'll never grow old. Then some day yonder we will never more wander, but walk the streets that are pure as gold."

Will I miss Mom? More than anyone will ever be able to understand. But Mom is ready to go and I am ready to let her go. Every breath Mom has taken her entire life has been for her kids. She's fought her fight, she's finished her course. When God's ready for Mom, she'll go. So many loved ones and friends will be waiting for her. Yesterday she spoke often of how good it will be to see "Dad and Mom." Her parents are waiting and so is Dad.

Prayer warriors I don't even know have responded to the requests made for my family and I. I stand amazed in God's presence of how He continues to make sure WE are being taken care. Not just Mom, not just Justin, not just Shad, but the family around these difficulties is being ministered to, hugged, and prayed for by our awesome God in ways I continue to stand amazed at. I must give HIM all praise.

Is it easy? No! Someone suggested to me that I didn't have a "platefull" but rather a "platter." I have to laugh! PLEASE, PLEASE.......do not make any suggestions to our God! The platefull is enough........I don't even want God to think I could handle a platter, and hopefully God did not hear such a suggestion!

I received a HUGE hug from God yesterday when He sent me a writing titled "When Your Hut Is On Fire." I shared it with many. I am confident that it was God's perfect timing to send that article to me just hours after our son lost every material thing he had. What a hug it was!

I am reminded of Habakkuk. Habakkuk stood and looked at all he didn't have. There was no cattle in the fields, no fruit on the vines. Habakkuk had his own platefull just like I do. Yet, Habakkuk was able stand and say, "...even tho......YET I WILL TRUST IN HIM..." Habakkuk 3:17-19

"When peace like a river attendeth the way. When sorrow like sea billiows roll. Whatever my lot it has taught me to say, IT IS WELL, IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL."

Is it well with your soul?


Dea, May 8, 2008