Praise Him.....Praise Him....Praising Him!!!!

"even tho.....yet will I praise Him." Habakkuk 3:7

"Praise the Lord! Praise God in His sanctuary: Praise Him in His mighty firmament! Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him, Praise Him, Let everything that has breath..................PRAISE THE LORD!" Psalm 150

The past days have been some of the most trying and difficult days of my life. I have been adjusting to a new job. We had a health scare with our new little grandson. There has been a death in the family. I've had to deal with the moving out of state of a niece and great niece that I am very close to. Our family has lost several senior saints that have been friends of our family for years. I have had to accept the demolishion of my dear aunt's house.........a house I will never forget. A house full of memories and laughter. In it's place is nothing now.

During a visit with Mom last week I realized Mom has forgotten my name. She knows I belong to her. She knows I am family. But Mom no longer remembers my name. I cried from the parking lot all the way home and cried some more when I arrived home. It was the most heartbreaking thing to me.

God and I have struggled over these months about Mom. I have been blunt and honest with Him. Mom deserves her mansion. Mom deserves to go home and get out of her world of suffering and pain. I don't understand why God has not extended His mercy to Mom and taken her home. I don't understand..............yet................His will be done.

I know God remains in control. I know God sees the entire picture. Mom is suffering. We are suffering while we wait with Mom for her home going. Why? Why doesn't He take Mom home?

I was reading a devotional just this morning about suffering. It stated that often God allows us to suffer that HE may prove Himself and glorify Himself thru our suffering. God allows us to suffer for our own good. Jesus did, ya know. Jesus suffered for MY own good! Only seems right that I suffer for Him. It is God's desire for others to SEE His power and strength. MANY people are watching us............my family and I. They are watching us as we wait and love and hug and cry and wait and love and hug and cry Mom on into eternal glory. There are 15 other residents that live with Mom. There are at least 12 or more staff members. There is the boss. That makes at least 28 people that observe us every time we go to visit with Mom or make contact in any way. My closest friends are watching me. Our church family is watching us. Our unsaved brother is watching those of us who do believe. God is busy. God is at work.

It's hard. It's so hard to go and see Mom in the shape she is in mentally. I suppose it sounds rather strange, but I'm use to watching Mom battle physical challenges. We've been thru a lot of them together. But mentally..........Mom has always been the strong one. Not for just me......but for all of us. It breaks my heart to go and visit her. Sometimes we are way back in her youth. Sometimes we are in places I haven't a clue. Sometimes we sing. Sometimes we cry. Gone are the days of laughter and fun Mom and I always had no matter how hard I try to keep it there. It's gone. Those of you reading this that has walked in this valley know and understand. For the rest of you........I hope you are never asked to walk thru this valley. It's a valley far deeper and far harder on me than any other valley God has asked me to endure. To me, Mom doesn't deserve this. To God..........thru Mom He continues to glorify Himself and He continues to do His work and His will.

On my way out of work the other day I bumped into a dear, dear Sister in Christ. There are people in this world who hug and then there are people in this world who REALLY KNOW how to hug. This sister in Christ is one that really knows how to hug. What a blessing to get the hugs I received. I give HIM all praise!

We traveled to a county fair on Monday to see our granddaughter's reserve champion turkey. As we came home, I asked Bill to stop in at the grocery store in New London. I needed freezer bags and forgot to get them. As I came out of the store, there was another of my sister's in Christ. One of my prayer warriors that I can count on to pray at any hour.......at any time I contact her to pray. To say I needed a hug from her..............I give HIM all praise!

I seldom go to Ashland anymore but found it necessary this past week. While I was there, I stopped in a local grocery store that I always enjoyed shopping in when I made weekly trips to Ashland. At the grocery store I found chicken for 99 cents a pound. (meat lovers choice...unheard of these days) I found beautiful nectarines for 68 cents a pound. (absolutely unreal in this day and time) I needed those hugs. I give HIM all praise!

It is rare that my sister and I can have time together alone. Between the responsibility we have with Mom, my job, my family..........it's tough. This week we were able to escape for a few hours to go to a local flea market. We laughed. We talked. We had lunch! I needed that hug.........I give HIM all praise!

I was told at work I always have the cleanest and neatest register and register area. I thanked the one who complimented me and at the same time my heart said........thank You Jesus! That is your victory! I give Him praise.

We are asking customers to round up their purchase to the next dollar amount so that their change can be given to children's hospital in Cleveland. All I do is ask. I was told the other day that I had gathered more money than anyone and was the ONLY one putting forth any real effort. That's God! I give Him praise!

God provided for us to have the four new tires we badly needed as well as the exhaust system on the car fixed. God has provided for us so that all of our utility bills are now current. God has provided for me to do as the ant does........store for winter. I have tried really hard to be wise with what God sends our way. I have watched newspaper ads and when possible I have been stocking up the canned and boxed items we'd need for winter. Also, when I have seen a good meat sale, I try to get a little extra. I give HIM all praise.

Some of you know how much I have prayed and prayed for a newer computer. A laptop computer was GIVEN to me TODAY! Nothing wrong with it. All it's needed pieces and parts come with it. I stand in awe and amazement at our great God!

Job and all his messes...........yet He praised the Lord. Habakkuk and all his challenges and trials......yet He praised the Lord. The Apostle Paul and all his physical pain........yet he praised the Lord. Paul and Silas was thrown in jail for no reason............as they SANG, they praised the Lord.

I pray it can be said of me...................even tho.................yet I will praise HIM!

Til next time..............keep that Bible open..............hugs to all..............Dea