God IS in control

The last couple of weeks have been challenging for some of those close to me. We've had several families encounter several big "things" in their lives!

One family: the husband was out on Saturday weed-eating his yard when the string broke off the weed-eater and hit him full speed in the eye. Needless to say this cause A TON of problems from bleeding into his eye, to loss of his sight in that eye to a possible cornea replacement. And all this the Saturday BEFORE he was supposed to start a new job driving truck (after being out of work for many, many months!)!!!

BUT - God was in control and this family sent out a call for pray and stood tall and strong - even though it was VERY hard - in the promise that God was in control of their lives and their situation. Miraculously this man's eye has healed way, way faster than the docs thought it would or could. Why? Cause God was in control and this family has given God ALL the glory for each step He's brought them. AND the trucking company told him to take some time and heal, and he'd still have his job! Praise the LORD!!!

Another family: After many choices some good, some bad - this young couple has been living on a shoe string financially for several years now. When they had a baby that added to that strain, but job changes made the outlook brighter. Then last week the husband lost his job. Not good. This added another financial strain to their lives.

BUT - they sent out a call for prayer. And pray the family of God did - and is - and they are gonna make it. The husband is doing a few interviews and it looks like he'll have a job very soon. Praise the Lord.

Yet ANOTHER family: wife and kids go away for the weekend while the husband stays home. Upon returning home the wife finds hubby covered in hives. This isn't the first time hubby's had an allergic reaction, but no one knows yet what he's allergic too, because you guessed it - like most men he doesn't wanna go to the doctor to have it looked into. So he takes some Benadryl and goes on with life. Then yesterday afternoon around lunch time this husband starts to feel really bad and goes to an urgent care place. They do x-rays and due to the chest pain and dizziness he's having and the spot they see on his lung they suspect he has a blood clot in his lung. So off for a CT scan.

BUT - you guessed it - they sent out a call for prayer and the family of God got right to work claiming the promise of healing in scripture for this man of God. And after completing the CT scan - the doc there sees NOTHING, that's right, not one thing on this mans lung. The CT doc tells them he doesn't know what the other folks at the urgent care saw, but there's nothing there and it must just be a continued allergic reaction.

I have a few more, but I'll stop with these three for the sake of time! *smile*

God doesn't always heal - or cause things to have a happy ending. I know that, and likely you know that too. We all know people who have come to God begging, pleading and asking to be healed, restored and made whole, but God has other plans for them. We don't always understand that do we? I know I don't and I've asked God about that several times. But I do know that God still does miracles (cause I've seen several the last couple of weeks!) and He's still in control, even when the outcome isn't what we hoped for. That's faith. We gotta hang with Him in the good and bad times, cause both are coming!

I've been reminded this week of the great hurt and fear and worry of those around me. And the need for me to daily be on my knees and praying for my family, and for those in my life. This is something God calls us to do, to stand in the gap and lift others up when they need it. And you know what, I know that when the time comes (and has come in the past) that those I love will stand in the gap for me too!

This passage is likely familiar to you, but I just love it and it's just what I need today! I hope it encourages you as well.

Psalm 61

1 Hear my cry, O God;
listen to my prayer.

2 From the ends of the earth I call to you,
I call as my heart grows faint;
lead me to the rock that is higher than I.

3 For you have been my refuge,
a strong tower against the foe.

4 I long to dwell in your tent forever
and take refuge in the shelter of your wings.
Selah

5 For you have heard my vows, O God;
you have given me the heritage of those who fear your name.

6 Increase the days of the king's life,
his years for many generations.

7 May he be enthroned in God's presence forever;
appoint your love and faithfulness to protect him.

8 Then will I ever sing praise to your name
and fulfill my vows day after day.