Of Thieves and Things

It's been a good month. Daily routines in ministry, parenting, and home schooling continue. There have been a few bumps....

First off, the flu hit. Not a stomach bug, but the proper influenza complete with fever, cough, and total exhaustion. Everyone in the family had his turn to lie on the couch for a few days-- it was not a quick one to bounce back from! It must be confessed that I rather enjoyed certain aspects of the family's stricken state once I stopped aching so much... the children being more cuddly, the break from our routines, the way we didn't leave the house other than Terry dragging himself to meetings, the fact that cooking was minimal since no one really wanted to eat. Our culture does not usually encourage a quiet life, but when everyone is ill we finally take a time out. All that said, we were thrilled when everyone felt better again, we could sleep through the night again, and the flushed little couch potatoes were ready to sparkle and play again!

The second sad event was that my diaper bag / purse was stolen. I have a habit of packing my bag and placing it in the minivan on Saturday night, since Sunday morning is always a little hectic. On that Saturday, two of the children became feverish in the middle of the night and I didn't think to remove the bag when I realized we weren't going to church with Terry the next morning. So while Terry was preaching, the thief broke the passenger window of our vehicle and made off with my bag, complete with wallet and keys. Unfortunately, I had a number of sentimentally valuable items in there along with all the valuables. It was not a pleasant Valentines Day surprise. Thankfully, in the background of the hurt is a sure knowledge that God's sovereign plan will work this event for good, and despite some tears I know all that is most valuable to me is safe. While certain things may be precious, things are never incorruptible or eternal (Matthew 6:19-21).

Besides these, a dear friend of ours has undergone a deep trial that came to crisis recently. It has weighed heavily on our hearts and minds as we went about our daily lives. While it is an encouragement to know that this believer is upheld by our gracious and all-powerful Father in heaven, it is still a burden we bear with our friend. Galatians 6:2 directs us bear the burdens of our fellow believers, but we so often fail to take time to communicate with other believers about the burdens in their lives and ours. It is more difficult in our busy lives, since it takes time and genuine love to open the doors to these prayer requests, and of course certain burdens are quite private in nature. What a sobering and encouraging thing to be able to speak to God about these difficult matters. It gives perspective and enlarges our hearts when we are made aware of believers we can lift up in prayer, and God lays their situation on our hearts.

But through these hard things, the goodness of God continues to shine in our lives. The spring weather here has brought the excitement of wakening bulbs sprouting up. Some anonymous friend last month cleared out the dead leaves in my front garden, a mystery I have failed to solve. The daffodils and crocuses are now blooming in the front garden, to the delight of the children - and myself. I've been encouraged by the kindness of two ladies who brought meals while we were ill and the fellowship during a couple of visits with other Christian ladies. Even today while Terry is away preaching in Iowa again (where he is the moderator as they don't have their own pastor), a sweet friend invited us to share lunch with her and brightened our day with her generosity and friendliness. There are so many reasons for thanksgiving. Thank you to those of you who keep us in prayer from a distance, too. Happy spring!