TREADING WATER
This has been an interesting summer my friends. And as life
always seems to go, this summer was nothing I thought it would be.
I imagined May-August
to be full of summer time fun and relaxation with a little bit of work. I
always seem to feel better when its warmer with my health, so I didn’t plan on
having any major health setbacks for the summer. So away I went with planning
my summer activities forgetting that I get sick so easily. Imagine my surprise
with a little bit of frustration, tears, and reminding myself of God’s goodness
when I got sick EVERY single month this summer. From terrible migraines to
sinus colds/infections that lasted up to 2 weeks each month, I struggled to
keep up with life and everything else that came up in between.
Now this does not mean I did not have a fun summer. On the
days where I felt good enough I enjoyed many road trips to see friends,
mudding adventures, kayaking, long walks with my dogs, naps outside, veggie gardening, and
other lovely outdoor summer activities. I loved the days where God gave me the
energy and adrenaline to do those things.
I simply was humbled again. I had asked God to humble my life this summer and yet again I forgot what the blessing/consequences would be when I prayed that prayer. To gain Christ, I must give up of my selfish will. To strive after Him. To be reminded why I need Him. To say no matter what came up, “It is well with my soul, Lord.”
Away my summer went and I easily became frustrated to have
such a bad immune system this summer. But then everyday this summer God has
reminded me through lyrics of a hymn, that He has everything in control and I
must trust Him.
You probably know this hymn. The lyrics read:
IT IS WELL WITH MY SOUL
When peace like a river, attendeth my way,
When sorrows like sea billows roll
Whatever my lot, thou hast taught me to say
It is well, it is well, with my soul
It is well
With my soul
It is well, it is well with my soul
Though Satan should buffet, though trials should come,
Let this blest assurance control,
That Christ has regarded my helpless estate,
And hath shed His own blood for my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
My sin, oh, the bliss of this glorious thought
My sin, not in part but the whole,
Is nailed to the cross, and I bear it no more,
Praise the Lord, praise the Lord, o my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
It is well (it is well)
With my soul (with my soul)
It is well, it is well with my soul
By Horatio Spafford
(If you don’t know Horatio Spafford’s story and why he wrote
this song check it out!)
Although I didn’t accomplish everything I wanted to do this
summer, I did a lot and learned a lot. Many days I felt as if I were treading
water and I simply did what I could that day to stay afloat. But many days this
summer I struggled to keep in good contact with family and friends for even a
simple text or phone call. Even that became a struggle to keep up with.
Thankfully, God has placed many great people in my life that reached out to
me, prayed for me, and simply was a caring friend.
You understand what I mean don’t you? Those days that are
hard, stressful, and overwhelming that everyday life becomes so exhausting to
do everything but the minimum. We all have them. And although I asked for
humility and you probably did not, God continues to do things and bring us
through things to see Him and His Glory.
...Let us not forget why we're here on earth...
I am continually amazed by the God I serve.
I am continually thankful for the blessings that come every day
from a God who cares so much.
And I’m continually reminded every day this summer that “God
is good” not because it’s some famous saying, not because everyone seems to say
it when life is going good, but BECAUSE God is good especially when life becomes hard.
Love you all!
