Life All Around

As I stare at my computer screen this morning, I think I am so inundated with life that I don't know where to begin. So if this seems disjointed . . .

In the past 13 days, our family has been blessed with not one, but two, new granddaughters: Addelyn Grace Emmert and Lily Grace Corbitt. Neither girl was supposed to be here just yet, but you know how women can be opinionated about time! Addelyn entered the world through a planned C-section (that got pushed a little sooner!), weighing 5 pounds, 3 ounces. Lily arrived naturally at 8:44 on a Monday morning, weighing 7 pounds, 3.8 ounces. According to my other children, she arrived saying, "I'm here!" A little flair for the dramatic!

So today as I share my heart, I feel overwhelmed by God's blessings. Now, I know that sounds oversimplified, but it really is how I feel. The last six months have been, for me, a test of my faith, a test of my trust in God, a test of my tenacious spirit. I have cried out to God, clung to God, and studied His Word, but mostly, I have learned to praise Him in the storms of life. And the reward? Today I am reminded that my Redeemer lives. I am thankful that He has allowed blessings into my life and the lives of my children. I know that God's plan is always bigger, better, and more incredible than I could desire, and it's always full of surprises. As sure as I think I have everything figured out, He changes the course, but every time, His way of working things out is so much better than what I envisioned. He is just so good.

So before I close (to visit babies!), I want to encourage you this morning. If you are in a hard time . . . pray hard, study hard, and cling to God. The tough times don't last forever, and when you are faithful in praising Him and never doubting His plan, you will be richly rewarded. And if, like me, you have come out the other side of a long, tenuous stretch and stayed near to God, enjoy the moment! Hard times will come again; scripture tells us that we will always have trials and temptations, but take heart: God is a tenacious God. He walks with you every single day, He will never leave you, and He loves and wants you more than you want your next breath. Be tenacious!