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One of my absolute favorite scriptures and one that has been on my heart (and on a sticky note on my bathroom mirror!!) lately is this:

"Thou art my servant, I have chosen thee and not cast thee away. Fear thou not, for I am with thee, be not dismayed, for I am thy God. I will strengthen thee, yea, I will help thee, yea, I will uphold thee withthe right hand of my righteousness"
Isaiah 41:9-10

Isn't that amazing? I think of it everyday when I am at the point that I think I cannot do/handle one more thing... and it always sustains me. What beautiful, wonderful words of life.
What are your favorite verses? Sustaining verses? Life verses?

Happy Tuesday and
Much Love,

I'm so glad I'm a part...

... of the family of God. Remember that little song? We used to hold hands "across the aisles" and sing that during benediction time ( or fellowship time) at the church where I grew up. Sunday after Sunday, we sang those words with little thought given to the actual meaning. I think it has been only as I have "grown up" and gotten a little older (and hopefully wiser!) that I have understood their profound meaning.

Since Andy has been gone, our church family has been amazing. AMAZING. They have loved on us, prayed for us, sustained us, called me, come to our home, kept our children ... you get the picture. Andy and I prayed about finding someone (preferably an older woman) to come into our home as sort of a "mother's helper" during the week. We could find no one willing to do this, but kept praying anyway. Out of the blue, one of our church members (an older, widowed lady) called me and said that God had laid it upon her heart to help me with my children while Andy was away, and could she come the very next week? Wow. I was so amazed at this... but why was I? Don't I have a heavenly Father that loves me enough to do this for us? Am I not a member of HIS family? Doesn't he hear the prayers of those who are his. Yes, yes and YES!

Our pastor and worship pastor (and their wives) constantly check on us and pray for us. Our life group has been wonderful. I know that TRULY I could call upon any one of them ... even at 3 am and they would be here without questions asked. So many church members tightly embrace me and my children every single Sunday and whisper words of encouragement and prayers to me. At our last WMU meeting, one of the members prayed over us. Just today, a precious lady (who has recently suffered much personal tragedy) told me how she prays for my husband nightly and remembers our family daily. Another church member is giving me a book of devotionals for wives "on the homefront". One of the local chaplain's wives took me aside last Sunday to tell me that her small son prayers for "legions of angels" to surround "Mr. Andy" every single night when he says his prayers. And all of you. The encouragement and prayers you have sent our way have been unbelievable.

The family of God. The family of GOD. How amazing to even type that. How amazing to be on this journey as a FAMILY of fellow believers with God as our Father. How that family of God has ministered to us. Isn't that what being part of a family is all about... lifting each other up, praying for one another, forgiving one another, LOVING one another. What an awesome, awesome blessing. Yes, I am so glad to be a part of the family of God.

I'm so glad I'm a part of the Family of God
I've been washed in the fountain, cleansed by His Blood!
Joint heirs with Jesus as we travel this sod,
For I'm part of the family,The Family of God

(words and music William Gaither)

Amen.

Happy Wednesday and
Much Love,