II Timothy 1:7; James 1:2-3; Philippians 4:13 - "See A Victory"

Having an 'old' dog is very similar to having a baby in the house with getting up during the night. Although he is like a 'newborn' during the day with the way he sleeps so much. Sometimes I think God uses him to get me up during the night so I will spend time in prayer. Last night the theme of our time was loss. Most people during this time of the coronavirus are experiencing some type of loss. I prayed for many different ones during the night.

• Loss of income - There are so many not working right now. A lot of them have not received unemployment nor the stimulus money that was promised. I prayed for them to be blessed by others and to seek God's wisdom on how to keep paying bills, putting food on the table, etc. On the other side of things there are people who are still receiving a paycheck even though they are not working and have received the stimulus money. I prayed for them to have God's wisdom as they make decisions on how to use their money and especially be willing to share with those less fortunate.

• Loss of life - I prayed for those who have lost loved ones from the coronavirus and for all who have experienced a death and could not be with loved ones in their final hours. I also prayed for those grieving who are planning a service at a later date. Their grieving process is going to be harder due to not having any closure. My prayers for those who have lost loved ones due to suicide because of the virus were said with tears.

• Loss of 'normalcy' - My heart breaks for seniors in both high school and college. They lost so much with not finishing out classes, sports, having senior prom, being able to walk across the stage to receive their diploma, having graduation parties, etc. They not only lost out on events but also financially with gifts, scouts not seeing them in sports for scholarships, etc. I also prayed for those who are dealing with disease in their body or their spouse. Hearing 'I just want to be normal' is hard. Praying for a day where you can do something like you use to do is hard when that doesn't happen.

• Loss of interaction - There are many people, myself included, whose tank is filled up by human interaction. I was raised in a 'hugging' family. Therefore, that is my nature. Not being with others is hard for me. Two groups I prayed for during the night were teachers who are separated from their students and pastors separated from their people. 

• Loss at Mother's Day - With the upcoming weekend being Mother's Day I prayed for people who have lost their mothers to reflect on the happy memories with them. I prayed for those who never knew their biological mother or those who have 'bad' memories of their mother to think about those who mothered them in life. I prayed they would show those ladies their appreciation. I also prayed for mothers who have lost children to be comforted. Some have given birth to children who never had a chance to live. Others their children were taken before they were grown while others lost adult children. A group of people many do not think about praying for are the ladies who have never been able to conceive. I prayed for all to feel God's comfort. I continue to pray for the Amish Momma who lost five children in the accident last week. Another group of ladies I prayed for during this time are mothers who have little to no contact with their children. My heart breaks for those with adult children who are too busy with life to make a call to their Momma and for the ones who are prodigals. Once again, I prayed for God's comfort to come down upon these ladies. The final group in this loss was for the mothers who are so stressed out with having spending 24/7 with their children during this time of the coronavirus. It is a different time for all of us. I am thankful my children are not little at this time where a mother has to teach them their school lessons. They would flunk if I had to show them how to do the math nowadays! 

• Loss of physical and mental faculties - My heart breaks for those with loved ones who no longer know them. It also breaks for those who have some moments with memory yet others times being oblivious to life. I pray for all involved in such situations. I also pray for those who no longer have use of a limb, eye sight, etc. to have people to support them through the days of learning how to live with their new life. I prayed for the situation I am in where I can't seem to remember everything because of trying to get through the tough days with Doc's situation. I concentrate on things that are a 'must' but then miss other things. I get discouraged when I miss things like Ben and Emily's anniversary or when I don't get thank you cards out to people who bless us. God comforted me with these words, "Daughter, I am the Only One You need to please. Stay in my will." I pray for people to show me grace when I fail.

The Lord blessed me in abundance throughout this time of prayer. He encouraged me to reach out more to others. He reassured me that He hears my prayers. He revealed to me a new 'norm' was OK and what I needed to not only accept but to embrace. Of course, the tears flowed at that one but I know He continues to be my strength. As I looked at this picture of Doc and I at the daffodil field two or three months ago the tears start again. We haven't even been able to do anything like that for the last month. It seems like today is going to be another emotional day. Oh how I need God's strength. I need to be more intentional in walking in the empowerment of the Holy Spirit like II Timothy 1:7 proclaims over me. I need to be more joyful in the day ahead no matter what is in it as James 1:2-3 guides me. As I do, I will walk in His strength as Philippians 4:13 speaks over me. A new 'norm' for us on Thursdays is that because of the steroids Doc receives with chemo he is up before me. He blesses me with me waking to find my laptop beside me along with my vitamin water on the stand. He has his yogurt and then if he is up to eating I make us breakfast once I'm up. It is wonderful to have this time to 'soak' and allow God to fill my tank before starting the day. I am grateful for this new 'norm'! It's just another way God encourages through this time of loss of normalcy.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for loving me so much! Thank You for Doc's blood work being good enough to have another chemo treatment! Thank You for the cancer not spreading! Father, You already know my prayer but I cry it out to You again. May Your will be that he receive a healing in his body while still on this earth. Lord, You blessed us in abundance yesterday and for that we are so grateful. The cancer not spreading; chemo being done; cookies delivered from our friend David from Ohio; Chris doing our yard; a project completed...what a day full of blessings! God You are so good! Oh how I wish more people would realize Your love to the extent I do. The only way for me to experience it in this manner is to ask for a cleansing in my spirit so You can fill me every day. Father, may Your work be done in me so Your love can flow out of me today in a new, different way. May You be seen/heard through me today in my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. May someone desire You today through me. That would be the ultimate blessing! I pray blessings over Ben and Emily as they celebrate their fifteenth year of marriage and Mr Gavin who is celebrating his birthday today! Thank You Jesus for being My Blessing! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; Proverbs 3:5-6; Philippians 4:13 - "Waymaker"

What a long night. It seemed like I was awake every other hour. I would wake up, look at the clock, pray for God's peace, and go back to sleep. That process happened so many times I lost count.  Why is it that when you are facing something such as a doctor's appointment and you know God is with you, you still go through such an experience? I know God already knows the outcome. He already knows what the oncologist is going to say. I know He will give us strength for whatever lies in the days ahead. So why is there still anxiousness? Several times during the night I asked God why Doc hasn't received a healing on this earth as so many are praying for. I asked Him why Ron had to die yesterday. It doesn't make sense to me that His servants would be taken when they still had so much to give. My heart breaks for Kathy. I could not stop crying when we received the news. Another great man taken from 'C' and the question 'why?' continues to come into my mind. I'm tired of 'C' taking lives. I know we all have to die but why does it have to be in such a painful way? I guess I'm getting good at saying 'why?' today. I'm just tired which makes me emotional. I have to be on my toes today so I do not become crabby. God has blessed me in abundance in that area and I sure don't want to go backward. This morning He has these words on my heart...

Waymaker

Miracle Worker
Promise Keeper
Light in the darkness
My God
That is who You are

Yes! He is all of these things to me. He answers my prayers. Sometimes not in the way or time I desire but He answers them. Yesterday morning He clearly told me He was "excited to see the miracle unfold in the procedure today! I can't wait to hear their testimony." This was when I was praying for Carl's heart cath. I received a message a bit later there were no blockages. Then a few minutes later received the message there was even blood getting to his heart through a previously by-passed artery. Now that was God working! I was so blessed to read Kim's post after the procedure. God is not finished with performing miracles. He performs them every day when I wake up. Throughout every day there are miracles done around us. I can't get upset over Him not answering all of my prayers in the way I desire. He knows what is best. That is where trust and faith come into play. I must stand upon II Timothy 1:7 in His empowerment so I can love as He desires. I am also standing upon Proverbs 3:5-6 to be with us especially throughout this day as we go to the oncologist. Philippians 4:13 stays close to my heart as I stand in His strength to face whatever is ahead. I will not continue to pray for a miraculous healing for my husband while he is on this earth. I will remember what Doc says, 'as long as there is breath there is hope.' 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your empowerment to not just get through this day but to shine brightly for You through it! Father, I'm physical tired and emotionally worn. I need You in a mighty way today to keep my mind sharp and my focus on You. I pray Doc will also feel Your empowerment today in a new, different way. Cleanse me right now so You can fill me. May You ooze out of my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts in a mighty way. May You be greater than the hurts of my heart. I pray for peace for: Kathy and her family; Brenda's family; Linda; Lee and Teresa; a family in turmoil; a marriage that continues to crumble; Wanda with her granddaughter's health; and so many others who are struggling. I pray for continued strength for: Tracy; Mark; my pastor friend battling C; Dave and Gwen; Mike; Paula; Norma; my Momma; Craig; Vance and Jeannie; Mrs. Adams; and so many others who are having physical battles yet strong in their faith. I also pray for protection over children in abusive homes who are not getting the love at school they were use to getting. Father, thank You for the beauty of Your nature that blesses me daily. Thank You for the gorgeous weather we are having! Thank You for the deer that walked across the back yard yesterday! Thank You for letting me be a part of the miracle with Carl and Kim yesterday! Thank You for my four-legged buddy who is staying close to Doc during these tough days! You are so awesome in all the ways You bless me! Thank You for being My Light in The Darkness! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; Psalm 150 - "Alive & Breathing"

This picture is a happy memory of spending the evening with our dear friends Bill and Marlene. It was the first time they came down to see us. Doc was healthy and we were doing 'normal' things. I miss those days. I miss the days of walking along the waterfront or going out to the beach. I miss eating 'normal' meals and not seeing him in pain. Sometimes I find myself asking God 'why?' but then He quickly reminds me that I am not to always know the answer to such questions. What would be His purpose for one of His servants to be in such pain? What would be the reason He would allow people to die from such agony? Why would He allow children to die such as the Amish family who lost five last week when their buggy was overtaken by water? So many 'whys' yet God is the Only One with the answers. Last night as I was in intense pain with my back I once again asked God 'why?' No answer. Does that mean He isn't listening to me? When I continue to ask for a healing in Doc's body from the pancreatic cancer and it hasn't happened, does it mean He isn't listening? I praise His Holy Name that I know He always hears my prayers. He may not answer them in the timing or the way I desire but He always answers them. I just have to continue to stand upon II Timothy 1:7 in knowing He will empower me through whatever lies ahead. He will give me His wisdom to make decisions that need made. He also will love on me in the way I need so I in turn can love on others. I enjoyed seeing Doc do the commercial for Sunday. That was something he hasn't done in a long time. Sunday night seeing him enjoy a meal was another thing I haven't seen in a long time. These are gifts God has given us during these 'tough' days. I praise Him for them. I also praise Him for another day of life that is ahead for us together. It is hard to believe it will be a year on Saturday since his diagnosis. Only 18% of people make it this long. I praise God for him still being with me. I'm reminded of what Doc says, "As long as there is breath, there is hope." Yes! Praise God for being our Hope! This morning words to Alive & Breathing come to my mind...

Seek and you will find 
Joy still comes in the morning 
Hope still walks with the hurting 
If you're still alive and breathing 
Praise the Lord 
Don't stop dancing and dreaming 
There's still good news worth repeating 

This song speaks volumes to me. We must continue to praise God throughout these days. We must not stop doing 'normal' things. Some days are harder than others but we cannot stop. Matt Maher wrote of this song:

“You know, there are moments in life I think where you hit pause because you feel like you’re about to start a new season and you don’t know what’s next. Sometimes you get frozen and this song in some ways is a prayer that unfroze me. It was a reminder from God that if you still have breath in your lungs and you’re still on this side of heaven, then the best way to move forward is to praise God. Praise isn’t something that we do to avoid our problems. Praise is the way through our problems. The Hebrew word for praise has seven different definitions and I think it’s because the writer wanted Psalm 150 not just to mean one specific context, but it’s the culmination of every kind of praise or his praise in the valley. Praise on the mountaintop, praise in the great place, and praise in the hard place.”

Wow! Praise is the way through our problems. Psalm 150 reads in the New Living Translation:

1 Praise the Lord!

Praise God in his sanctuary;
    praise him in his mighty heaven!
2 Praise him for his mighty works;
    praise his unequaled greatness!
3 Praise him with a blast of the ram’s horn;
    praise him with the lyre and harp!
4 Praise him with the tambourine and dancing;
    praise him with strings and flutes!
5 Praise him with a clash of cymbals;
    praise him with loud clanging cymbals.
6 Let everything that breathes sing praises to the Lord!

Praise the Lord!

Yes! I will praise the Lord throughout this day in a more intentional way than ever before! I will praise Him through whatever is ahead. I will praise Him because He empowers me to live for Him. I will praise Him because He loves me greatly and I desire others to see His love. Oh how I pray people see Him through me. I pray they see His strength ooze out of me during the days we are living.

Dear Jesus, 

Thank You for loving me so greatly that You never give up on me! Thank You for nine hours of rest! Thank You for being with Doc in the day ahead! I pray for healing to come down upon him in a mighty way. I also pray for healing in my back. Thank You for the pain being less this morning! Lord, be with our dear friends Kim and Carl as he is having a heart cath. I loved what You shared with me as I prayed for him earlier that there was going to be a miracle for them to testify about. Woo hoo! I can't wait to hear their testimony! Lord, there are so many hurting people that need to come into relationship with You. There are so many people in turmoil for so many different reasons. May You be their Peace. Father, cleanse me so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You ooze out of me today in a great way! May You be seen/heard through my words, actions, attitude, and thoughts today. Thank You Jesus for being The One We Praise! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; Philippians 3 - "Oh Come To The Altar"

Every time I was awake during the night I had the words to O Come To The Altar going through my mind. 

Are you hurting and broken within
Overwhelmed by the weight of your sin
Jesus is calling
Have you come to the end of yourself
Do you thirst for a drink from the well
Jesus is calling

O come to the altar
The Father's arms are open wide
Forgiveness was bought with
The precious blood of Jesus Christ

Yes! He is always ready for us to run into His arms and allow Him to love us. He desires to love us so we can love others with His love. There are so many people walking around with heavy burdens in their heart. Some of them are at peace with the burdens because they trust their Heavenly Father. Others are distraught with no peace. I think of that saying:

No God = No Peace

Know God = Know Peace

His peace is unexplainable. There is no explainable reason to having peace in the midst of a storm in life than God. He desires to draw closer to us through such times. He desires to love us through 'tough' days. He doesn't want us to hurt but there are times we have to so our faith can grow. 'Tough' days enable us to see how He can work in and through us. Yesterday was just one of many 'tough' days we are experiencing right now. Doc was miserable with pain. I didn't know until the last minute whether he would be able to preach or if I would need to step in. The pain continued throughout the day until evening came around. Thankfully he was able to not only eat supper but he was the one to grill the steaks. As we ate he kept saying 'this is the best meal I've had in a long time.' It tasted good to him. It isn't easy to find something that does. A lot of times he thinks he wants something only to start eating and not be able to. God blessed us greatly with our dinner. He knew we needed such a time after the day we had experienced. He knows what we need and provides. That is one of the blessings of being a child of the King. Another blessing is the empowerment He gives as we live in His presence. II Timothy 1:7 is on my lips and in my mind every day. Paul wrote these words to share how we are to live. We do not have to live in fear of anything but instead need to live in the empowerment of the Holy Spirit so we can love with His love. As we do, we will have His strength as Paul wrote about in Philippians 4:13 and His peace as he wrote about earlier in the chapter.

4 Rejoice in the Lord always. I will say it again: Rejoice! 5 Let your gentleness be evident to all. The Lord is near. 6 Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. 7 And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. (NIV)

Praise His Holy Name! I am so thankful to live in His presence where He is always with me. I am thankful for the way He is my Soothing Balm when the hurts of life become overwhelming. I know there is no decision I have to make on my own. For that I am grateful. I also know He will guide me to where He desires me to go and what He desires me to do. Woo hoo! There is such freedom in living a life in His presence! 

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for Your peace! Thank You for Your empowerment! Thank You for Your strength! Father, cleanse me today so You can fill me with more of You. I so desire to walk in Your will, doing what You desire of me. Father, yesterday was so hard on Doc with the pain he experienced. I pray for His healing while on this earth to happen sooner than later. I pray for Your empowerment to be upon him today and Your soothing balm to start at the top of his head and go to the tip of his toes. May the pain be less. Lord, I do not understand why we have to battle with getting pain medication but go before me today so the refill will go through. Lord, we continue to rejoice in You even in the 'tough' days. We are so thankful he was able to grill last night and then supper tasted good to him. Something so simple yet something that meant so much to us. I'm sorry when we took things such as that for granted. Lord, as we await the appointment with the oncologist on Wednesday we ask for Your peace. It stinks that I can't be with him for it but I understand with the coronavirus why. Lord, use us as we continue on this road. May people see/hear You instead of us in our words, actions, attitude, and thoughts. May people come into relationship with You for the very first time through us. May those who are in relationship already get to the end of themselves and allow You total control. Oh how I pray for people to realize Your love in a new, different way. Father, empower me to be more intentional in sharing You. Thank You for being My Soothing Balm! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7 - "Waymaker"

Last night was a 'typical' Saturday night with the Lord waking me to pray for pastors. The first time He had me pray for pastors to preach the Gospel. I believe these prayers were the same as last Saturday night with Him telling me there are too many who preach what they want instead of the direction He desires. He also had me pray for more pastors to preach on salvation and sanctification. The second time was for pastors to realize their family is their most important ministry. They should not pour all of themselves into others just to leave their family to receive them tired and worn out. I love praying for pastors and their families. I am blessed in knowing just as He has me pray for them He has someone praying for us. I'm tired this morning but I know the hours He has me spend in prayer during the night will be blessed in abundance. As I am His willing servant, He will pour more of Himself into me. After the last time of praying, He gave me a dream where He presented a situation to me. It was a 'big' decision for me yet I did not hesitate to accept it. I pray that is how I always am with Him. I do not want to allow circumstances or what people think to cause me to not walk in obedience to His will. Instead I want to say 'yes' to every situation. I may not understand how it will all work out but I know who does. It may seem like an impossible task to complete but I know as I stand upon II Timothy 1:7 He will empower me to do His will. I am so grateful for that knowledge. I also am grateful to be where I am today in my relationship with Him. What an awesome God He is. Even in the midst of the cancer in Doc's pancreas He is awesome. Yesterday was so special in seeing Doc do something he used to do with making a little commercial for today's service. It took a lot out of him but he accomplished it with resting. As I watched him do it I thought about how this is what God has called him to do. He has a uniqueness to him in the way he gets the message of Christ across. It was so good to see him doing what God has put upon his life. Oh how I pray for more of these times. I pray for more opportunities for him to share the Gospel. I also pray for more people to realize the need to come into relationship with God. Believers need to take the step from being saved into living a sanctified life. It is up to all believers to share God's love with others. We, as pastors, need to get better at preparing people to do so. We need to disciple people as we do life with them. It is not just up to pastors to share the Gospel but for all believers to do so. He desires that of us. He desires to be our...

Waymaker
Miracle Worker
Promise Keeper
Light in the darkness
My God
That is who You are

Yes! He desires to live in our presence. He desires to see us loving with His love. He desires to take people out of the pit of hell and give them life. Plain and simple. He desires. Woo hoo!

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for my times of prayer during the night for pastors! Thank You for giving Doc strength yesterday to make the commercial for today's service! Thank You for another day of life! Thank You for loving us so greatly! Thank You for knowing what we need before we even realize it! Father, cleanse me this morning so You can fill me to overflowing with more of You. May You be my words, thoughts, actions, and attitude throughout this day in a more intentional way than ever before. I pray for each pastor who will be preaching today to be walking in Your will. I pray for pastors like Doc who are struggling physically to have their tanks filled up to overflowing so You will ooze out of them. Lord, be with pastors and leaders of the churches as they make decisions about regathering after not physically meeting from the coronavirus. May they look to You for direction. May You go before the meetings where decisions will be made and give unity within them. I continue to pray for all affected from this virus. Thank You Jesus for being My Waymaker! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; John 16:33 - "Strong"

I was so blessed yesterday as I watched a Facebook Live event with other Nazarene Pastor's wives. I felt His peace come down upon me in a mighty way. I knew others on the event would be praying for me after I shared a request for our situation. I needed that time of worship and praying. I needed the reminder that His peace is perfect. It gives encouragement and joy when you feel like you can't go on. It gives a sense of "I can do this" when there is no strength left in you. It gives hope when the future seems bleak. Plain and simple. His peace gives you exactly what You need.  In John 14 as Jesus talked to the disciples He told them not to fear but to be courageous. In The Passion Translation verse 27 ends with Don’t yield to fear or be troubled in your hearts—instead, be courageous! God doesn't give us a spirit of fear. He empowers us through His Holy Spirit. Paul tells us that in II Timothy 1:7. Throughout his life after conversion Paul was in jail many times for his beliefs. Yet he was never afraid. In fact, he continued his ministry while in jail. He had converts while in jail. There is a lot to learn from his life but perhaps the greatest lesson is the way he lived in God's empowerment to have His perfect peace no matter what happened in life. I desire that perfect peace. I need it. I am thankful for Scripture that encourages me greatly to live it out. Toward the end of Jesus' time on this earth before His death and resurrection He shared a lot of insight with His disciples. In The Passion Translation John 16:33 reads:

"And everything I’ve taught you is so that the peace which is in me will be in you and will give you great confidence as you rest in me. For in this unbelieving world you will experience trouble and sorrows, but you must be courageous, for I have conquered the world!”

Woo hoo God! When we are confident in Christ, we will be courageous. Yes! I desire to live in this manner. I desire to lean into Him for more of His strength. This morning I have the words to Strong going through my mind.

I'll be strong and courageous
I'll live my life for You my only King
'Cause You're my God through all the ages
Here am I, I am Yours
Send me

God gives all of us the opportunity to be courageous. He will empower all to stand in His strength through the Holy Spirit. The battles that come before us have already been won through Him. All we have to do is walk in obedience to His will and He will not only see us through them but empower us to have victory. As we live such a life, His perfect peace will be ours. People will see His peace through us as we live it out. Peace is something most people need in their lives. True peace is something that can only be found in God. As we share His love, we share His peace.

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for this gorgeous weather we continue to have! Thank You for the beauty of Your creation that surrounds us! Thank You for being with Doc yesterday as he went through the CT scans! Thank You for being with us as we wait on the results! Lord, may today be the day his pain is lessened. Father, yesterday was a day full of emotions and I am grateful You were with me every moment of the day. Thank You for Cait who brought lasagna to us! May You bless her family in abundance! Thank You for the time with other pastor's wives that blessed me greatly! Thank You for those we saw as we dropped of goodies! Thank You for speaking to me yesterday multiple times! Father, cleanse me so You can fill me with more of You. May You be greater than any obstacles that come before me today. May Your peace shine brightly through me today. Lord, be with so many hurting people but especially be with those with spiritual needs. I pray for someone to go before them today who will make a difference in their spiritual life. Lord, may I not miss any opportunities You put before me today to love with Your love. Thank You Father for being My Perfect Peace! Amen.

II Timothy 1:7; Isaiah 55:8-9 - "The God Who Stays"

I absolutely love this picture of us celebrating our thirtieth anniversary. On the way home from Doc's CT scans we were talking about how we've had so many fun times traveling and seeing the sites around our little place of the world. We are so blessed. While he had scans, I walked on the trail by the water. As I walked, I talked to my Heavenly Daddy about these 'tough' days. I told Him I knew He already knew how rough they were but I needed to lament a bit. I asked Him to heal Doc while he is on this earth but most importantly for His will to be fulfilled through us, especially in these 'tough' days. I know if we are not walking in His will we will be miserable. He has called us to Beaufort, South Carolina to be beacons of light for Him. He has called us to proclaim the Gospel and bring people into relationship with Him. He has called us to bring believers into a stronger faith. Plain and simple. He has called us. I know I am exactly where I am suppose to be. This morning Marlene reminded us of Isaiah 55:8-9...

As I walked this morning, the song The God Who Stays kept going through my mind. After Marlene sent us the Scripture, it clicked.

You're the God who stays

You're the God who stays
You're the one who runs in my direction
When the whole world walks away
You're the God who stands
With wide open arms
And You tell me nothing I have ever done can separate my heart
From the God who stays

My shame can't separate
My guilt can't separate
My past can't separate
I'm Yours forever
My sin can't separate
My scars can't separate
My failures can't separate
I'm Yours forever
No enemy can separate
No power of hell can take away
Your love for me will never change
I'm Yours forever

I know God is with us. He is not going to leave us. He knows how 'tough' these days are. They do not surprise Him. Nothing can separate us from His love. No matter how distraught the enemy tries to get us, God is greater. Sometimes I cry out asking 'why?' yet it is not for me to understand. When I hear of others who have left this earth due to cancer, my heart breaks and I pray for God to spare us from that. But then I am reminded that His will is what I need to pray for. His strength will carry us through anything. The empowerment of the Holy Spirit is mine when I stand on II Timothy 1:7. His love will ooze out of me as I live out His will. I am basking in His wide open arms today. I am asking for His strength to not just get through this day but to be a blessing to Him in it. When tears come, I know He is with me. When I feel like I can't watch Doc be in such pain, I know He is with me. When there are so many unanswered questions, I know He is with me. Plain and simple. He is with me. He's not going anywhere. He is The God Who Stays!

Dear Jesus,

Thank You for the beautiful weather we continue to have! Thank You for my walk on the trail by the water this morning! Thank You for technology and medical personnel for such things such as Doc's CT scans! Thank You in advance for the way You are going to be our strength as wait on results and his strength with the 'yuckiness' he is feeling! Thank You for the way You used us yesterday to bless people with dropping off homemade goodies! You are so, so good and bless us immensely! Oh how I pray we bless You too! Father, along with Doc I pray for Your touch upon Ron, Vance, and Brenda's cousin as they go through physical issues. I pray for Your strength to be theirs and Your comfort to be their family members. Lord, be with all who are dealing with the COVID-19. Thank You for protecting the sheriff deputies who were possibly exposed to it! Father, I also pray for the first-time Momma who is having her baby today. Bless her family as they can't be with her. Thank You for Sandy who encouraged me greatly this morning; Mr. Fran looking so good and my virtual visit with my Momma and Linda yesterday! Oh Father, You just amaze me in how You bless us. Cleanse me so You can fill me. May I be the beacon of light You have called me to be today in a more intentional way than ever before! Thank You for being The God Who Stays! Amen.