Count it all joy, my brothers,[a] when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing. James 1:2-4

I've always tried to be genuine, open, and honest.  There is no joy counting here; none.  I'm not running around thanking God for the challenges we've faced this last week.  I have seen God move in our lives though and it always leads me back to this one quote:

“I have learned to kiss the waves that throw me up against the Rock of Ages” 

― Charles Haddon Spurgeon

On Friday evening Baby R managed to grab a little kettle of near-boiling hot water restaurants give you for tea and dump it in his lap.  The next 16 hours were all a blur of activity!  After three emergency rooms, two ambulance rides, and a whole lot of prayer warriors we ended up being admitted to hospital with a cutting edge burn center.  Baby R had 2nd degree burns over 8% of his body (read that as the front of his leg, thigh to ankle). We were discharged by the burn center on Saturday afternoon and looked forward to recuperating at home.  Sunday we missed church (obviously) but Baby R played and was his usual self all day long.

Then early Monday morning, Baby R started throwing up.  He couldn't hold down anything, including his pain meds.  Once we hit 12+ hours without Baby R being able to take in any fluids, his burn surgeon suggested we bring him back to the ER because dehydration is a major issue.  Not just for little guys but also for burn victims.  We spent 16 more hours in an ER on Monday, but Baby R was able to get re-hydrated and some medicine to help him keep food and medicine down.  The medical staff assumed it was a virus, likely picked up in one of the ERs so we would just have to let it run it's course.

As soon as he got some fluids, Baby R perked right back up!

Tuesday, our Preschooler J started vomiting.  It was frustrating because we were still exhausted, but also a slight relief because it confirmed that the burn injury had not caused Baby R's vomiting. Whew, I'm putting even the smallest blessings in the win column!  By Wednesday, Baby R and Preschooler J were over the vomiting.  However, Tween T woke up throwing up.  At that point, I started to wonder if we were all destined to succumb to whatever virus Baby R brought home. 

Baby R was trying his best to make Preschooler J feel better.

So what now? What could I possibly take away from this whole ordeal.  First, I have a strange sense of being fulfilled; sustained.  I am tired and overwhelmed, but my soul is filled to brimming.  I started to write out all that I have seen God doing, but the list was getting so long and Baby R is about to wake up.  Maybe one day soon, when I'm rested, I can reflect back and stitch together all God is doing. 

In the meantime, if I don't post much.... you know why.

A minute ago, I was sitting here trying to think of a blog topic.  In my mind I said "God, what am I supposed to write about today?  What would you inspire me with?" then as I scrolled through Facebook this verse appeared:

Philippians 4:6 is my all-time favorite.  Why?  Because it's actionable.  It's something I can do RIGHT NOW to commune with my God. When you regularly practice verse six you'll find that verse seven begins to take root in your life.  

This morning alone, I've prayed over my friends for many things - unspoken requests, health issues, anxiety over upcoming situations, pregnancies, losses, God winks, blessings fulfilled, and restorations in progress.  Sweet reader, I want to take a moment to pray over you.  Where you are, in this very moment:

Lord,

Thank you for another day I can use to do work for your glory.  Thank you for the time and technology.  Thank you for the individual reading these words today.  I may not know their story or struggle, but you do.  I pray that in this moment, they see and feel the peace you promise in verse seven.  I am asking you God, boldly, without fear, because of Jesus, to intervene on their behalf in this situation.  Our moments on earth seem so unsure, our steps unsteady.  Please meet these fears and concerns with abundant peace and confidence in you.  Pull back the veil and allow us, even if only for a moment, to see that you are sovereign and working.  Even through all of this chaos.  

It is in Jesus' name I pray these things, 

Amen.

At times a girl just needs a break to circle the wagons, regroup, and refresh herself, right?  I'm declaring the hiatus officially over!  Let's jump straight into the updates, shall we?

Blog Direction

I had some character flaws called into account during my hiatus.  That's not a pleasant situation for anyone, but I've learned that God allows people into our lives to show us things about ourselves and each other.  I took the hiatus time to think about what those flaws mean for myself and the blog.  For a while, I seriously considered shutting down God Still Speaks and letting the ashes fall where they would.  After a lot of prayer and allowing God to teach me, I felt like He wasn't asking me to give up, but to refocus my efforts.

What about Day 3 you might ask?  Yeah, I fell off the wagon only three days in!  Every time I set my mind on reading, something happened that required my immediate attention.  (Dirty diapers wait for no wo-man!).  The wonderful thing about how I've structured my life is that I was still exposed to scripture throughout the day, so even when I'm running non stop, I still get hit with some scripture.

As you might have seen on the Facebook page, our friends lost their home and possessions in a fire yesterday.  I am fortunate to have never been through a fire, but I've been close enough to people who have to know the sense of loss is shattering.  Please be in prayer for this family as they work through the weeks and months to come.  Everyone was safe and they are staying with family nearby.  Our church family has rallied around them to try and meet as many needs as we can.  I ask that you lift them up today and ask God to respond to every need in abundance!  A fundraiser page has been set up and if you visit it,  you can see images of the damage the fire caused: http://www.gofundme.com/dzt0w4

For #lampandlight we're picking up where we left off; in Proverbs 14.  The last few days around here have been a test of our patience; so I was floored to read Homes are made by the wisdom of women, but are destroyed by foolishness.  Proverbs 14:1  First of all, I don't feel very wise most of the time.  I am so thankful that God has sent me so many friends who are wiser than I am.  Titus 2 talks about the older women teaching the younger women, and I'm thankful to have women in my life who will do just that.  I have reached out so many times with a need to be counseled in a Godly way.  Proverbs 14 hit several areas of my own foolishness over the years and I can see specific moments in my life where I have been on both sides of this verse - Wicked people bring about their own downfall by their evil deeds, but good people are protected by their integrity. Proverbs 14:32

I'm thankful that God has changed my heart and allowed me to learn lessons that have stuck with me over the years.