TREADING WATER, TRYING TO STAY AFLOAT

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!