Joy in Circumstance

"Make the decision when things don't go your way, you're still going to rejoice." Pastor Edwards

So many things come into our lives that we wouldn't choose for ourselves, yet God's way is perfect and He has a plan. It amazes me how God shows and proves Himself in every situation if we let Him. I am constantly working, in my life, to "choose to rejoice" in those situations that aren't as pleasant.

As I think and pray earnestly for our sweet Josiah and all the health issues he's faced in his short little life, I also praise the Lord for how He has met our every need and kept him safe in all of it. At the same time, I realize that there are so many other people that are struggling in harder situations and they are rejoicing in how the Lord has helped them along the way.

Our dear friends recently had their day and a half old precious girl go home to be with the Lord. What a testimony they have shown in how God's grace is sufficient. I would encourage you to read Natalie's blog http://www.mymaddiegrace.blogspot.com/ Your heart will be uplifted as you hear her tell how God is giving her strength and help day by day.

I have realized that I am so selfish at times to want our family to go without dealing with the health issues Josiah has faced when I should be ever so grateful that the Lord has given us a little boy to love, raise, and watch grow. We have so much to be thankful for. God has really been showing me that I need to look on His blessings, especially when circumstances are not as I would have planned. The Lord put this song in my heart today as we travelled from the doctor's office.

I've been through a fire that has deepened my desire, to know the living God more and more.
It hasn't been much fun, but the work that it has done in my life has made it worth the hurt.

You see sometimes we need the hard times to bring us to our knees; otherwise we do as we please and never heed Him.
For He always knows what's best and it's when we are distressed that we really come to know God as He is.

How true these words are. He does always know what's best.

How good God is to bring Scripture, songs, encouraging words to mind to help us when we need it the most. There are people in our lives as well that the Lord uses to uplift us at the exact moments we need it. I thank the Lord often for people like this in my life. I had a dear friend tell me recently that she tries to encourage someone anytime she is having a rough day. What wisdom! You definitely can't help someone if you are down in the dumps. What better way to be encouraged but to encourage someone else!

My friend and I joke about how we try to find the comical things in life to help keep us sane.

Here are some sweet, yet jolly photos that brighten our faces:








~Rachel