More than we can ask or imagine.

Well, our crazy month of July is over.  And we survived it.  You know what?   Grace.  All was grace.  God was good and He gave us what we needed.  Through two weeks straight of work for Sean with no weekend in between.  Through week upon week of guest upon guest (at one point we had 6 guests sleeping on every bed and air mattress in the house). Through parties and meals and meetings and grocery runs God saw us through.  And we had fun!  We worked hard, played hard, and laughed hard.  I'm coming away from this crazy month feeling both tired and exhilarated.  God brought us through!  And we didn't just survive, we were blessed.

This is how God works.  More than we can ask or imagine.

We're trying to sell our house (see the link here, in case you are in the market for a small house in South-Central Colorado) and things were looking grim. Houses aren't selling this summer in small town Colorado. I wanted to worry.  I did worry.

And then. God reminded me that I am His.  That He takes care of us in big and small ways....a VBS class raised money so they could send us Macaroni and Cheese....a potential short-term renter pops up so our house no longer stands empty while we wait for our buyer....a package of clothes for my girls arrives.  Again, God provides, and I am humbled.

This is how God works.  More than we can ask or imagine.

I had this amazing conversation with my little girl.  The one who is so opposite of me in temperament and personality.  She's reaching an age where we butt heads more than we should, where her little sassy six-year-old self is battling all who challenge her.  I admit I worry.  What will things look like when she's 16 if they're so dramatic already at 6?  But it hasn't been all eye-rolling and foot stomping.  We did have that talk.  I did see her tender heart in there, calling out to Jesus to be her own.  I heard her say, "I have so many blessings from God, Mom!"

This is how God works.  More than we can ask or imagine.

I'm struck with the knowledge that I don't deserve any of this.  None of it. I get worked up about things - life gets hectic, tempers flare, things go sour, bodies get weary, sin has its way.  But He's there.  Loving me better than I ever thought possible.  Doing for me the things I could never earn.  Blessing in ways I couldn't imagine.

Because I'm His.

"Fear not, for I have redeemed you, I have summoned you by name; you are mine."  -- Isaiah 43:1

Precious one, if you are overwhelmed and all feels dark and hopeless, take a moment to look.  He's whispering to you in ways you may be too fretful to see.  Oh, it might not be the answer you were hoping for or the relief you seek.  It may be small and insignificant in the face of what you see looming ahead of you - like a box of Macaroni and Cheese when you need a check for $140,000 - but He's not finished yet.  He's working, He's doing, He's providing.

This is how God works.  More than we can ask or imagine.