Breaking the silence – Seeing God at work

OK, I have been a little busy, so I think I can catch a break for the delay, but I must admit it has been a while.  Another factor is the frequency of my wife’s blog has increased over this period which means less time for me to get in front of the screen.  So enough of that, for now.

I am overwhelmed by seeing God at work.  Pastor Steve is recovering from heart surgery, very well.  Pastor Paul has no cancer.  Another person has accepted Christ this week through the ministry of Lighthouse Community Church.  We have had more than 15 visitors in the last two weeks, and not all of them have been scared off by the youth pastor preaching.  I have family (though they wish to remain anonymous at the moment) who are expecting a baby (I am very excited for them).  My parents have had a good, and so far smooth transition from our perspective to MS and a new home.  Erica’s flares are for the time under control, albeit with a lot of medicine yet, and my kids continue to be hilarious.

Last night during dinner prayer ( I usually open our meals with prayer, and the girls take turns closing), I completely lost control with laughter.  Erica had started to make some kind of noise and so was Lauren.  I paused in prayer to quietly Shhh them.  I looked at Lauren, said shhh, and she replied:  “Dad, I was just pssst’ing you”.  I couldn’t control myself.  By itself it doesn’t seem that funny, but if you have beenfollowing my wife’s blog you’ll know that funny has been the rule at our dinner table, and this was just too much in the context.  We then closed our prayer after everyone sort of gained their composure with a thanksgiving for joy.

I am very happy this morning with all that God has brought about over the past several weeks.  I am excited about the future, although with an understanding that we still live in a fallen and broken world wrecked by sin.  But for now, I am happy to sit back and see what God is doing to bless us.  Every breath is from his hand.  Just getting up from bed this morning, which today was not an easy task, was his blessing.  Holding my kids, tickling Lauren, hugging my wife, typing this blog, losing weight, talking with friends, serving in His church, all of this is the work and blessing of God. 

I can say this with integrity because I have known living on the other side a little as well.  Facing loss, struggling with depression, overcoming anxiety, are all things I have faced.  I am not saying that all of life is always easy, or that only the good things come from the hand of God.  But, when good things come, I know their source.  Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

So today, I am encouraged by God’s work in the world.  Why he chooses to bless this rotten planet at all is beyond my understanding, but I am looking forward to the day when his ultimate blessing is poured out on us all through the redemption of creation.  More about that on Sunday I guess…can’t steal my own thunder or no one will come to church to hear it live.

Have a good day!