TGIF
Cindy and I just returned home last night from spending two seeks in DC visiting both our children and their families. On most visits, we bounce back and forth between the two families, helping out as we can and as needed. This visit, however, went differently. That is because one week into our visit, Cindy and I both got the newest variant of COVID. This variant turns out to be very transmissible but less severe in its impact. Cindy and I both got minor flu symptoms but never felt very ill. The bigger problem was Stevie’s wife Cristina and both their daughters also got COVID from us, and their nanny! Stevie and Cristina both had very busy work weeks planned and this result threw a major monkey wrench into their plans.
I then read the following Sarah Young devotional from Jesus Always on May 23.
When the way just ahead of you seems too difficult, turn to Me and say: “I can’t, but we (You and I together) can.” Acknowledging your inability to handle things on your own is a healthy dose of reality. … The most important part of the equation is recognizing My abiding Presence with you and My desire to help you. Pour out your heart to Me. Ask Me to carry your burdens and show you the way forward.
Cindy and I responded the best way we could to these circumstances, but knew we had to depend on God to help us through those days.
Psalm 62:8 – Trust in Him at all times, O people; pour out your hearts before Him; God is our refuge.
Philippians 4:13 – I can do all things through Him who strengthens me.
It turns out Cindy and I were OK to take both of Stevie’s girls for the days this week where Stevie and Cristina really needed help. It turns out we had a great time with their girls, took them to the park for hours, played a lot of games with them, fed them what we wanted, and it turned out to be a memorable couple of days with our granddaughters.
Sarah Young then helped me again with her May 25 devotional.
Thank Me for all the challenges in your life. They are gifts from Me – opportunities to grow stronger and more dependent on Me. … Challenging circumstances highlight your neediness and help you rely on My infinite sufficiency. When circumstances are tough and you rise to the occasion, trusting in Me, you are blessed. It’s exhilarating to get through challenges that you thought were too much for you. When you do so on reliance on Me, our relationship grows stronger.
Although none of us chose the plan that resulted for us all this week, the end result was that I believe we all grew from the challenges we faced as a family. Cindy and I turned out to have a very special few days with our 2 granddaughters that we will remember for a long time. Stevie and Cristina both got all their work goals accomplished, and could relax that both girls were well cared for, even though neither of them were in their standard care at school and with a nanny.
James 1:2 – Consider it all joy, my brothers and sisters, when you encounter various trials.
Psalm 121:8 – The Lord keeps watch over you as you come and go, both now and forever.
This was certainly a memorable trip to see our family in DC, one that we will certainly remember for a long time. The takeaway from this trip for me is that we must always be prepared for God’s plan, when it might differ from our plan, to lead us to a better result if only we listen and follow Him.
Isaiah 55:8-9 – “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,” declares the Lord. 9 “For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.
1 Corinthians 1:25 – For the foolishness of God is wiser than mankind, and the weakness of God is stronger than mankind.