Praying for a non-guilty verdict seems straightforward. Praying for our family to be reunited seems straightforward. Praying for mercy and strength seems straightforward. Praying for God's will whatever that is - we don't know what that answer is - seems straightforward. A hung jury, a mistrial - is not a straightforward answer, is it?
As we consider all the events of this past week we know that God answered prayer. I had a calmness every time I was at the courthouse, I slept well every night, AND we didn't get a guilty verdict. Even though we continue down this uncertain path, 12 people could not unanimously vote guilty. Praise the Lord.
So many family, friends, and many people we don't know were praying for us this week. God is good. Friends came to support Bill in the courtroom and me in the hallway (prosecution kept me out of the courtroom for 2 1/2 days). God provided mercy and strength this week.
Our family is not yet reunited and we are not done with this trial. God's will is for us to be apart at this time. We will continue to pray that God will bring us together.
Praying friends - keep praying. God does answer prayer
Friday, May 21, 2010
Friday, May 14, 2010
All My Anxieties on Him are Laid
Finally, after 27 months our day in court will come. Right now I am extremely calm, but I know that as the weekend progresses I will become a huge bundle of nerves -- unable to eat or drink and having random thoughts and questions running through my head. Not knowing if the outcome will be favorable or unfavorable is very unsettling. All I can do is run and hide under the Shadow of His Wings. . . lay all my anxieties on Him.
My life will change no matter what the verdict. I may think for the better or for the worse, but I must rest in the Lord's promise that all things work together for good.
My life will change no matter what the verdict. I may think for the better or for the worse, but I must rest in the Lord's promise that all things work together for good.
Monday, April 19, 2010
Sunday Afternoon
One of my favorite times of the week is Sunday afternoon. Coming home from church, reflecting on the prayers requests and praises from friends, meditating on the hymns and songs and taking to heart the instruction from the Scriptures. Sunday lunch and then relaxing and quiet time. A day to set aside and not do the ordinary. Yesterday was such a day. The music was wonderful and uplifting, and the sermon was challenging and a hard message to preach and to hear. Lunch from Boston Market was a treat and a special request from the kids. The weather was so nice that I sent the boys outside to kick around the soccer ball and run off some steam. Megan was content relaxing on the couch with the remote control. I busied myself with the weekly task of paying the bills and getting caught up on paperwork. Shortly thereafter the peace and quiet of the day ended abruptly. . .
The boys were back in the house and playing "kitty" in the living room (off-limits). While chasing them out of the room, Billy informed me that Michael had a marker and had written on the wall. Mind you, Michael was disciplined for writing on walls (with crayons, pencils, etc.) three times already. I ran into the living room and proceeded to have a panic attack. For the second time in 2 years, I had modern art on my living room walls courtesy of my son and a Sharpie marker. After having a panic attack on the couch and sobbing until no more tears would flow,(the kids were smart enough to take cover in another room) I got up the strength to try to remove the permanent blue in from my wall. I sequestered the offender to the bathroom for a lengthy time out and enlisted Billy and Megan to assist in the graffeti removal. Praise the Lord for the glaze treatment on the walls, Soft Scrub and human elbow grease. With lots of scrubbing by the three of us, we managed to remove the artwork from the wall. Michael was disciplined and all perament markers have been sent to the landfill.
Did I react appropriately, No. Did God answer my prayer to allow the ink to come off the wall, Yes. Did my children learn a lesson, I truly hope so. After the stress of the day I was able to ask forgiveness from my childern for not reacting appropriately to the situation. I'm glad that my Father in Heaven can clean the "ink stains" in my life and restore me. I'm glad that he grants forgivness for my sins. A hard lesson for all of us to learn and a very long Sunday afternoon.
The boys were back in the house and playing "kitty" in the living room (off-limits). While chasing them out of the room, Billy informed me that Michael had a marker and had written on the wall. Mind you, Michael was disciplined for writing on walls (with crayons, pencils, etc.) three times already. I ran into the living room and proceeded to have a panic attack. For the second time in 2 years, I had modern art on my living room walls courtesy of my son and a Sharpie marker. After having a panic attack on the couch and sobbing until no more tears would flow,(the kids were smart enough to take cover in another room) I got up the strength to try to remove the permanent blue in from my wall. I sequestered the offender to the bathroom for a lengthy time out and enlisted Billy and Megan to assist in the graffeti removal. Praise the Lord for the glaze treatment on the walls, Soft Scrub and human elbow grease. With lots of scrubbing by the three of us, we managed to remove the artwork from the wall. Michael was disciplined and all perament markers have been sent to the landfill.
Did I react appropriately, No. Did God answer my prayer to allow the ink to come off the wall, Yes. Did my children learn a lesson, I truly hope so. After the stress of the day I was able to ask forgiveness from my childern for not reacting appropriately to the situation. I'm glad that my Father in Heaven can clean the "ink stains" in my life and restore me. I'm glad that he grants forgivness for my sins. A hard lesson for all of us to learn and a very long Sunday afternoon.
Tuesday, March 9, 2010
How do you begin a blog?
I have always thought it would be a great idea to have a daily journal where I can keep track of my personal journey through life. Whether it be to just document what happened that day or to keep track of my spiritual journey. I have, from time-to-time kept a prayer journal which lists my learnings from my devotions and Bible reading as well as prayer requests and praises. I have also kept a somewhat abbreviated journal on a daily calendar with just highlights of the day.
Now that my life has taken on a new course, which was never in my wildest dreams (maybe nightmare might be a better description), I have wanted to have an outlet to release some of my thoughts, emotions and cries of desperation. I want to be able to be open and honest about the trials I am going through as well as the victories that God has given me. I want to be able to tell the world of my Saviour and His great love for me -- the way He takes care of me, the way He provides for my needs and how he is working in our lives even in the midst of a battle.
I invite you to come along with me as we explore how God is in control of my life, even when it feels like it is out of control.
Now that my life has taken on a new course, which was never in my wildest dreams (maybe nightmare might be a better description), I have wanted to have an outlet to release some of my thoughts, emotions and cries of desperation. I want to be able to be open and honest about the trials I am going through as well as the victories that God has given me. I want to be able to tell the world of my Saviour and His great love for me -- the way He takes care of me, the way He provides for my needs and how he is working in our lives even in the midst of a battle.
I invite you to come along with me as we explore how God is in control of my life, even when it feels like it is out of control.
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