I’ve always said I would be honest and share my heart when I write – no matter what – the good, the bad and the extremely ugly.  Of course over the 10 years of writing we’ve had a few curve balls thrown our way.  And because of privacy there are times when I cannot share specifics, but I’ve still shared that life has gotten complicated or we’ve been thrown a curve ball or something similar.  I share with as much openness as the situation allows because I know that we are not alone.  Many of you are struggling right now as well.  Your life has taken an unexpected, unplanned for, never imagined turn and you are left reeling and wondering.

Well we are right there with you friends!  Quite honestly, these last couple of weeks have been some of the most difficult in my entire life due to circumstances that we have zero control over and we have been left stunned beyond words.

Our situation has left me tossing and turning all night as I float back and forth between being awake and sleeping and wondering, “Am I dreaming?  Is this really happening?”   A couple of our very dearest, longtime, trusted friends who know us (and love us anyway) – are aware of what happened, they have our back and they are praying with us. (I seriously couldn’t imagine what I would do without them praying! You know who you are – thank you from the bottom of our stunned hearts!)

Anyway, today I found myself wandering around Hobby Lobby for a little bit.  Dw’s been in Africa and while flying solo, I just needed some time to think.  Do you ever feel that way?  Circumstances are out of your control and you are craving some time to just think, alone.  Well so it was that I found myself meandering around while talking to the Lord about our situation and replaying the events over and over trying to make some sense of it all.

And knowing that some of you are in a place that you need some encouragement as well, here’s what He whispered to me.  I share it in hopes that it will also minister to you.

1.  He is on the throne.  Although circumstances may have left chaos, He is still God and He is peace.  He doesn’t “have peace”  – He is peace.

2.  He has all power, all authority and will do whatever needs to be done. He is our hope.  “Impossible” is just an opinion of someone who doesn’t understand His power and what others think bears no weight in what God can and will do.  In Him – all things are possible – no matter what circumstances look like.

3.  He is the victor.  He will cause all things to work together for the good of those who love Him and are called according to His purpose (Romans 8:28).  There is nothing (and He means nothing!!) that will not work for our good because He loves us and will use the heartache for good – no matter what.

4.  Do not grow weary.  He is working even when it looks like He’s not, when it seems like He’s not, or when it feels like He’s not.  He is still working – He is not dependent on what circumstances look like, seem like or feel like.

And He is where my hope rests and later today I intend to paint this on my wall:

Because I want to LIVE in that expectant, confidant, assured hope.  It’s where He is and it’s where He’s working. Come join me.