When my anxious thoughts multiply within me,
Your consolations delight my soul.
Psalm 94:19 NASB
~
June was not a good month for us;
in fact it began with some very difficult news.
Quickly we realized life had changed--perhaps permanently.
Hard decisions needed to be made and
anxiety levels increased along with the uncertainty.
The future wasn't quite as secure as we had once thought and had been planning for.
Of course, there are always things one cannot control...
that's life.
But we weren't left to walk this 'new' path alone and everything wasn't bad.
In fact our life was filled with many blessings during this time
(the kind money can't buy).
Blessings like the verse above,
which I 'happened' to hear shortly before we received the news.
I am convinced it was God preparing me.
The 'me', who can easily let fear take over when I dwell on the negative and the unknown,
was given something positive and tangible to dwell (meditate/reflect) on instead.
Of course, God brought other good and wonderful blessings along our path during this time too --
Blessings such as this gorgeous butterfly
we found
who found us along a mountain river
It reminds me of my grandma who used to collect butterflies years and years ago.
Isn't he beautiful?
Blessings such as these pretty flowers too.
Love the pink:)
Blessings which nourished my soul and reminded me of God's love and His power.
Yep, we were definitely not without blessings!
Small One was with us when we experienced some of these blessings.
Small One is a BIG blessing in our lives!
She was with us when we were privileged to see this butterfly dancing on the wind
(yep same butterfly--but this time in flight).
And she was with us when we enjoyed the blessing of woodland flowers too--
the mountains were full of their beauty!
I want Small One to always have a love for nature
and the One who fills our lives with blessing after blessing.
I also want her to understand that in the hard times,
as well as the good,
God is only a prayer away
and that His love never fails us.
He is just waiting for us to ask,
honestly and humbly ask,
Him to show us the right path to take.
I want all my kids and grandkids to know this.
That is one of the reasons why this blog exists--
in a way, it's my letter to them as well as a journal of my walks on the mountainside of life.
As for us we'll be fine.
In time this challenge will end and the sun will come out again.
Life is like that--
filled with ups and downs;
difficult times often end up being blessings in disguise.
I've seen this happen;
I know it to be true.
Blessings always,
Aimee
~
Update:
The challenge is over now.
Life has changed,
but not as drastically as it could have.
God has provided and we are OK.
AND -- we are still counting our blessings:)
Notes:
Photos taken in the Tillamook State Forest.
"Scripture taken from the NEW AMERICAN STANDARD BIBLE®,
Copyright © 1960,1962,1963,1968,1971,1972,1973,1975,1977,1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission."
