Of Falling Down Into Grace

When you're talking on the on the phone with one sister and she says to hold on because Mom is beeping in. You hold on. When the person calling you right back isn't that sister but your mom, you know, right then, this isn't going to be good.  When your mom tells you that the oldest sister fell today and cracked her skull while carrying the little nephew inside, you go numb and feel too much all at once. And your mind races to the worst. 

And then you hang the phone up and start the dreaded game of waiting. Your husband holds you tight and you cry all scared to pieces. And he prays because you just can't. So you hurry up quick and pack your bags and drive to Illinois to do what ever you can. 

It's too familiar and not in a way that is at all comforting. 

You finally arrive and see your sister and you are thanking God that she's ok. That the baby is ok. That it's not so much more worse than it very well could have been. You're praising God that your sister is safe and so strong. That her husband is calm under pressure and so ready to do whatever she needs. 

You see God's merciful hand in everything. 

Then when you've been driving for hours, keeping family updated constantly and waiting and waiting and waiting, you find that God gives grace and love in unexpected ways. In the way you can laugh at getting lost in a strange city...at night. In how plain-slap-happy-tired you are and that your hotel for the night looks hilariously like something out of Old World England (complete with a mounted grizzly, statues with arrogant faces, and portraits of the queen mother.) And how God shows you love through a stranger showing concern for your situation and brings you coffee as an act of kindness. So you just smile at the adventure of it all and make the best of it. 

And then you see that your normal has changed (again). You and your mom are away from your husbands, your homes and your loved ones. It's all a bit uncomfortable and stressful. But beautiful and strangely good for you. So you sleep when you can, and play with the little blonde child and keep smiling on through. 

Finally, you see that sometimes life goes spinning out of control and you can feel like you're barely hanging on. The fact is we live in a world that's not right, not how we would have planned. But the truth that triumphs is God is in control always. He knows our footsteps and when (sometimes) we miss a step. His everlasting arms are there to hold, yes even in the dark. So let that hold you when you fall. Let that swing you right into joy. 

 

Thank you a million times over to everyone who has prayed for Bethie and Nephew. They are both stable and have been moved to a room to rest as much as possible before the scheduled C-section on Wednesday. Beth's specific prayer request is that the little man doesn't make his appearance before then as her doctors do not want her to go into labor due to her head injury. 

Other prayer requests are:

>>Daniel as he cares for Beth in the hospital (he's hasn't been able to come home yet)

>>Gracie as she copes with all the new adjustments.

>>Me and Mom. We miss our hubby's, our families, our dogs and we're a little tired. But doing pretty good ;) Pray that we'll have the wisdom to best know how to help Beth and her family. 

>>The ones back home. My husband is home alone in Kentucky, my Dad is in Tennessee with my two youngest sisters and they're all feeling stretched and disconnected without us. 

>>Paul, Deborah, Melissa, Jason, Nathan, and Christi who would love to able to be here but just can't for various reason. Pray that they have the ability to just trust God with it all. 

>>Daniel's family. They're right here with us, praying, watching Gracie, serving. Pray that we could all endure. 

That's all for tonight, I'll post more when and if I can. Thank you all again for how you're supporting us through this part of our life. You're lifting the burden for us. 

And most of all thank You, Jesus, for Your great mercy and infinite wisdom and love. Without You, we all fall fast. Let us press on to know You more.