MY STRENGTH & MY SONG

Something that God has been teaching me here lately:

Being strong and courageous doesn't always look like holding a megaphone on a mountaintop.

Sometimes it looks like getting out of the bed when the world feels very heavy.

Sometimes it looks like holding your babies when you're unsure of a health diagnosis.

Sometimes it looks like believing for a miracle when your spouse has reached his breaking point.

Sometimes it looks like folding the laundry when you can barely stand.

Sometimes it's being tucked away in the bathroom to worship in the middle of the night while the rest of the house is sleeping.

Recently, my husband started having extreme intestinal issues that flared up upon his return home from the Motion Youth Conference, and within that same week, our home was hit with a nasty virus and my oldest daughter couldn't get out of the bed from extreme migraines.

Life straight up smacked me in the face.

I wasn't sleeping because of Lainey being sick.

Sadie was absolutely not herself, and she was in excruciating pain.

My husband couldn't eat or sleep out of extreme pain.

We started rounds of doctor's appointments for everyone while I - quite literally - held onto the hem of His garment and consumed way more caffeine than I care to admit. (Ya know - it was rough y'all. lol)

And one thing was for certain: everything was totally out of my control.

And that's when it hit me:

I can either wallow in a constant state of worry, or I can lay it all at the Lord's feet and trust that He will care for my family - just like He always does.

It really is wild the way that God has moved so drastically in my heart because old Sam would have been in a constant state of control-mania with a side dish of panic attacks for extra razzle-dazzle. (Don't even act like you have never tried to control a situation. lol)

However, instead of being stuck in a crash out, I laid everything at His feet because at the end of the day, there was absolutely nothing I could do but pray and love on my family.

And man, has God shown up as usual.

His peace has been overwhelming.

The joy has crushed every ounce of weight.

His love has outshined every attack.

I have stayed in agreement with what the Lord has promised me and my family, and that has been enough.

And can I just please tell you all what God has done over the span of this past month?

We found a solution for Sadie's headaches, and it turns out, she has eyes that are slightly tilted inward, which required her to get glasses.

My hubby had a scope and several biopsies done to find out that he does have intestinal damage but no cancer. And even today, we found out that on his CT scan, there were no additional or underlying issues!! We take that as a win while we continues to heal!!

So, even though I was NOT expecting those results or outcomes, my gosh, I am beyond grateful for the answers and for the wisdom that the Lord has sent our way in response to our prayers!

Shew - God is truly my strength and my song.

HE is my hope for tomorrow.

HE is the reason I rejoice.

HE is the joy within my heart.

If you are struggling today, can I just encourage you for a moment?

I need you to understand that GOD IS IN IT WITH YOU.

He isn't just seated on the throne - He is right where you are too.

So, let Him be your strength and your song today just like Moses sang in Exodus 15:2 because our God is contending for us in ways that we can't even imagine, and I HIGHLY encourage you to go read Exodus 15 right now.

I love you, and He loves you even more!!

SAM RIVERS JONES