Papa Wayne, who we miss a great deal as he went home to be with the Lord last December. We still carry his love with us though and that is a great comfort!
And my dad, the girl's Papa Bill.
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| Too soon to show winter photos isn't it?? I know, but I love this photo of my parents with the girls. |
When the girls were little, Papa Bill would tell them the most fantastic adventure stories. The girls were thrilled every time there was a new adventure to be told. They, in fact, would regularly hound Papa to grant them a new story.
Papa's adventure stories usually had a hero, often Papa. Many of the tales were of struggle, with foes to overcome. Some tales were a little scary, but mostly they were silly and made the girls laugh. Every tale had a grand and happy ending. Papa's tales definitely kept the girl's rapt attention! And most importantly, each and every tale came with the proof of it!
At the close of every story Papa would produce a little trinket or treat that was the proof of his tale. For example when Papa told a story of coming face to face with a great, ferocious lion, it was followed up with a giant cookie that was decorated as a lion. It was the proof that Papa overcame and captured the lion.
It's no wonder the girls loved Papa Bill's adventure stories so much. Well, to tell the truth, it was the proof of the story they really wanted!
I have been thinking about these stories lately and the proof of them. I've been thinking about how our lives are our own adventure stories.
I would like so much to be able to say right now, this very moment, that God has solved all of our struggles. We have no more financial concerns! God has restored all of our lost income! Woohoo!!!
That is not the case however.
What I can say is this, as I hold tightly to these and several other verses during this difficult time...
Joshua 1:9 Be strong and of good courage; do not be afraid, nor dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go!
Proverbs 3:3-6 Trust in the Lord with all your heart, lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths.
Zephaniah 3:17 The Lord your God in your midst, The Mighty One, will save; He will rejoice over you with gladness, He will quiet you with His love, He will rejoice over you with singing!
God is giving me the proof of it!
God has been reminding me through our most recent church sermons that speak so profoundly to what the Husband and I are struggling with and our desires to trust fully in Him, in His goodness and faithfulness, that we leave the services wondering if we should laugh or cry. He has reminded us that the best, and only place, to put our trust is in Him. He has always provided for His people! Amen!
God has shown me His unfailing love through the encouraging squeeze of a friend's hand, or a caring arm over the shoulder during a time of tears. He has blessed me with friends who are praying for me and my family.
God has encouraged me through friends who send the perfect passage of scripture to encourage and lift me up at just the right time and through answers to prayers that I began to pray three years ago for a friend.
God is meeting my needs, my family's needs. And not just the financial ones. He is speaking truth over my fears! He is blessing me with encouragement and hope! He is with me wherever I go. He is teaching me to trust Him and I do not have the words to express to you how the proof of it is filling me with joy!
I can tell you this though, I am seeing that God is a much better author of my story than I could ever be. Therefore, I will continue to trust Him for the happy ending! Until that happy ending occurs, I'm going to relish the proof of it. The proof that He is in it with me, He knows everything I need, He has a plan already in motion. And after all, isn't it the proof of it that, like my girls, we all really want anyway!
Christine
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