All Has Not Been Quiet...

...on the Winkler homefront, though my blog has. It has rightfully taken up residence on the back burner these last few weeks.

But, I thought I'd write a few posts this week to share what's been keeping me away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Weathering.

*to expose to the weather; dry, season, or otherwise affect by exposure to the air or atmosphere

*to discolor, disintegrate, or affect injuriously, as by the effects of weather

*to bear up against and come safely through (a storm, danger, trouble, etc.)

The word "weathering" conjures up many different meanings, moods, and thoughts, but it fits well with how life has felt lately.

We've been bearing up against the late onset of Spring. Those of you at home with young kiddos can heartily agree.

We've been experiencing numerous physical challenges on the home front. The kids have had 10 medical appointments since January--not a single one for sickness/flu though!

Pete has had one very difficult classroom of kids this semester. God is growing him through this hard time, seasoning him, but it's been stressful.

And people we dearly love are experiencing great loss and grief. Our hearts hurt...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

There have been some definate and prolonged challenges lately, but God has been faithful to bring to my mind past answers to prayer to inspire hope, Scripture to instruct my heart with Truth that fits the moment, and simple pleasures and joys that brighten the day, no matter if the sun is shining or hiding behind storm clouds.

A song I heard while in the car the other day really encouraged me. It's by Laura Story, and I'm going to copy the lyrics here:

We pray for blessings, we pray for peace

Comfort for family, protection while we sleep

We pray for healing, for prosperity

We pray for Your mighty hand to ease our suffering

All the while You hear each spoken need

Yet love is way too much to give us lesser things

'Cause what if Your blessings come through raindrops?

What if your healing comes through tears?

What if a thousand sleepless nights

are what it takes to know You're near?

What if trials of this life

are Your mercies in disguise?

We pray for wisdom, Your voice to hear

We cry in anger when we cannot feel You near

We doubt Your goodness, we doubt Your love

As if every promise from Your Word is not enough

And all the while You hear each desperate plea

And long that we'd have faith to believe

When friends betray us, when darkness seems to win

We know that pain reminds this heart

That this is not, this is not our home

It's not our home

What if my greatest disappointments,

Or the aching of this life,

Is the revealing of a greater thirst

This world can't satisfy?

And what if trials of this life?

The rain, the storms, the hardest nights?

Are Your mercies in disguise?

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~