leafed in thankful

I haven’t spent a lot of time , other then the weekly things I am involved in, for some time. There has been lots of things going on in our lives during the last 9 months or so..We bought a new house, and have been spending some time making it ours. Our family dynamics are changing, we will be celebrating our #2 daughters birthday this month and she will become the second teenager of the house. I find this incredible. I really don’t feel old enough to have two teenagers.

We feel incredible blessed that in these hard times my hubby, who works in the construction field, has not lost his job. This means so much. But even so, we rest in the fact that God will take care of us. It is funny , how in the last year I can look back and see Gods hand in so many areas of our life. My husband has been given many opportunities to preach, that would not have happened in our old church. I know a lot of people look down on people changing churches, and it was only after a couple years of praying and begging God what to do with our situation that we felt sure this was what he wanted us to do.

It has hurt some of our relationships, even after a year and a half people who once claimed to be friends for life ignore us and walk past. This does cause me to wonder what our relationships were before. If people who claim to be Christians can just walk by and "shun" you because you did something that they think is wrong, were they really friends or just people who long for control and are now mad that they have lost it? What ever the answer, god has not brought us to an easy road just to relax us. In our new church we are growing and watching as God gives us new challenges and task to help us to grow.

It is true that as a Christian if you are not growing you are dying. I feel that I have spent a part of the last year dying somewhat. But praise God I can still feel him near and guiding me as I let him lead me and try not to kick against the pricks ;). If you are still reading you must be either a true friend or struggling as I have. I have found a lot of help in reading my bible and the preaching form church. But I seem to draw close to hymns at times like this. These men and women must have been so close to God to be able to draw us to him with such simple word. I pray you will find rest from the weary journey we are on. There is joy in the Lord if we but reach out and take it.

Under His Wings~William O. Cushing/Ira D. Sankey

Under His wings I am safely abiding,
Though the night deepens and tempests are wild,
Still I can trust Him; I know He will keep me,
He has redeemed me, and I am His child.

Refrain

Under His wings, under His wings,
Who from His love can sever?
Under His wings my soul shall abide,
Safely abide forever.

Under His wings, what a refuge in sorrow!How the heart yearningly turns to His rest!
Often when earth has no balm for my healing,
There I find comfort, and there I am blessed.

Refrain

Under His wings, oh, what precious enjoyment!
There will I hide till life’s trials are o’er;
Sheltered, protected, no evil can harm me,
Resting in Jesus, I’m safe evermore