Faith Remains ...

Good Afternoon I hope all is well with you. I have not written here in over three years. There are times when all energy resources must be committed to maintaining & sustaining what is most vital. Today is six-years since my Mom passed away - May 16, 2020. A great deal has transpired since then. I got laid off .... again My youngest son almost lost his life when a drunk driver in a truck struck him, sent him flying and then ran him over before fleeing the scene. There have been multiple bouts of illness. And this Monday will be one-year since my Dad passed away - May 18, 2025. I have learned of the passing of a dear childhood friend. And lost many relationships. There were situations in my past that I thought, 'it cannot get worse' I was sadly mistaken. Don't get me wrong - good things have happened too. My son survived - with a leg full of titanium but he survived. I found new work. I've started and am building a bakery business. My middle son got engaged - just recently. And I got an amazing 'daughter' and grand-daughter. That little girl is my absolute heart. And my oldest son overcame social anxiety - he has been instrumental in getting the business started. Through it all, God has remained faithful. And as a result, FAITH REMAINS. I told my future daughter-in-law, "God has given me a new tribe and a new village." No matter what you lose, God is able to bring about restoration - like he did for Job. Understand, no blessing or introduction of new 'tribe members' can take the place of lost loved ones. But God can set you in a revised village where you can love and be loved in return. My sons are still with me - that is something to be thankful for. My sweet 17-year old MinPin Chico left us (before my Mom passed) But even in that area, God blessed my grand-daughter with Toy Fox Terrier Cosmo. He has been a blessing to the entire family. Again, it does not replace what has been lost. But you can experience joy again - different - but again. Through it all, my faith has been POUNDED. It has been strengthenedand FAITH REMAINS, but it has been battered. Over the past week, I have come to this site mutiple times and read things I penned years ago. I have been amazed at how the words have encouraged my faith and soothed my soul. One of my favorite verses in the Bible has always been Isaiah 50:4 "The LORD God has given me an instructed tongue, that I should know how to deliver a word in season to them are weary." I had know idea that weary someone would be me. So why share all of this? I just want to let you know that GOD IS FAITHFUL - Even when we don't understand, when we are hurt and angry HE IS FAITHFUL. I put a period at the end of that sentence - because His faithfulness is the beginning and the end of our story - and every page in between. That is a reason to rejoice and be thankful. No matter how difficult things seem - He is with you. He will never leave you nor forsake you. Even when He feels distant, and you cannot see where or how or that He is working; He working still. Jesus replied, "My Father is still working, and I am working too." John 5:17 CEB The blood of Jesus covers us perpetually. The Person Jesus, is ever interceding on our behalf. If you are in a tough place today - let the knowledge of His love & faithfulness encourage you. Be Blessed!