When He shows up!

I was excited to see September come and go quickly. It wasn’t the best of months for me. Most of it was full of doubt, worry and fear; heaped with a double portion of emotion. I am grateful for a God who did not leave me, but was right there the entire time. I’m so glad that He was, too! A few blogs back, I talked about God being my rock during this season I’m going through. Well, turns out I’ve learned that Him being my Rock means that He is much bigger than even I originally thought. He has proved Himself faithful to my family, and me providing for us in such a miraculous way. One provision after another, like nothing I have ever seen. I’ve been completely amazed by Him. I experienced miraculous emotional healing as well as great provision. I am just awed and blown away.

It is hard, when going through the storm, to see any good that is coming from it. It can even be more difficult to see God during these times. A good friend reminded me that when Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego were thrown into the fire, they didn’t see God at first. Neither did those looking in, for that matter. But God showed up in that fire. He made His presence known. That is exactly what God has done for me during this trying time. I think deep down I knew He would prove Himself faithful, but all too often, it’s easy for me to forget this. Even though it always seems like He shows up at the “last minute,” I’m learning that it’s always right on time.

Through it all, I’m realizing a huge life lesson: Trials and hardships really do produce perseverance as well as faith. Knowing all the things that were out of our hands and control this past month, we had to trust God like we never have before. It really has been good for me. I am a planner and I like things done a certain way. I like to know what is going to happen and I’m not to good with surprises or unsurety. I also tend to try and fix things if it looks like it isn’t going to go accordingly. This time, I wasn’t able to do any of that. So, it was hard for me, yet necessary. Again, I am glad September is over, but it is nice to look back and see the wonderful work God is doing. My trials haven’t taken Him by surprise; in fact, they only made ways for Him to show up. My tight fisted hands that hold things so tightly have been gently pried open so that He could take my burdens and all those things that often comes with it (doubt, worry and fear). I’m not meant to live that way. There is something very liberating when you do let go and surrender. I’m only hoping that I continue to do so.

Here is to a new month, a deeper trust and a God who always shows up!