Now It's Thursday

Remember when it was only Tuesday? Now it's Thursday, a week later, and I'm blessed with a bundle of Ebenezers, amazing displays of God's mercy and provision.

Here's the culprit that was blocking Elisabeth's eardrum. The visit to the ENT was a success, and our dear patient amazed everyone with her great patience. To God be the glory!

When Elisabeth was enduring the many efforts at the pediatrician's office to get this stubborn airsoft pellet out of her ear, I asked her what she might like as a blessing. She said, "A ring." My first thought was, "Where am I going to find that?" and after receiving a pack of gum, two lollipops, and some stickers at the doctor's office, the ring was forgotten. 

The next day, while enjoying dinner at a Red Robin and celebrating God's kindness to us in this adventure, Elisabeth and I encountered a lady in the bathroom who had found the ring pictured below. She was even washing it! She asked us if it was ours and told Elisabeth that if no one else in the restaurant claimed it, she would give it to her. Right before we were leaving, the woman came by and dropped off the ring. Yes, I know it's just a piece of plastic, but it was a lovely reminder of God's provision of the smallest of details, of so much of what we want in addition to what we need. I told her to look at the ring and remember how God has provided for her every moment in this trial.

My experience with Sears is that they normally get to you in a week or two. I was happy to find a local repairman, a kind, older gentleman who still calls the ladies, "Honey" or "Babe." :) He showed up last Friday and promptly installed a new heating element. Our 9 year old got quite the lesson and was fascinated every step of the way. I did about 7 loads of laundry Saturday, and my heart was so full of gratitude for God's provision and the privilege of taking care of my family's clothing.

This is a shingle. Shingles belong on roofs. Our shingles like to blow away in the harsh desert winds and land among the stickers and weeds. We've needed a roof for some time, and what a blessing it was to have someone suggest checking with our insurance company to see if they'd cover any of the damage. We prayed God would bless us with even half of the money to fix our roof. Imagine our delight when the adjustor said he was approving the replacement of our ENTIRE roof! Yippee! This good news came in the middle of the week and was a welcome encouragement. What a mercy, such a mercy.  We just have a little bit to pay out of pocket since we're going with a metal roof, and once again, we thank God for His kindness.

Consider the truth that it's His grace that works gratitude in our hearts! I'm so deeply aware of the truth that we don't deserve any of these deliverances. If God based His provision on my behavior, where would I be? And yet, he encompasses the righteous, made righteous by the blood of Jesus, with mercies at every turn.

It wasn't just these physical provisions, but all of the growing in godliness that comes along with each trial He gives us. There was self-control in my daughter, trust in all of us, humility and repentance when you consider His kindness and our sinfulness, and on and on.

I praise God for those Tuesdays that bring the Thursdays when we stand still and marvel at all He has done, every good gift that has been bought with the blood of Jesus. 

"Oh, what comfort it is to taste the sweetness of Christ's love in every enjoyment! When we can say, 'Christ loved me and gave Himself for me that I might enjoy these blessings,' oh, how will this raise the value of every common mercy!"

~David Clarkson

With love,

Trisha