Summer Reflections

At the onset of this summer I was given a word from the Lord that stated, "Prepare for greatness."  At the time I thought this would mean that I would spend the summer in the Word of God and prayer.  I would become a better man through the study of God himself.  These are in themselves all noble goals but, as I came to find, not what God had planned for me.  Instead my family's finances were attacked, our emotions were tested, friendships were strained, trust in others was put to the test, and even our family ties were strained.

Now if you are not new to this blog then you have joined me on this journey and have seen my pain.  Posts like "Daddy Help Me" and "Walking through the pain" illuminated the trouble my family was experiencing.  But other posts like "A Visit from Mick" and "Wave Bound Miracles" allowed me to show how God met us where we were and ministered to our needs.

Now as I sit in a new year of collegiate instruction, I look back and realize that God used the trials and tribulations of this summer to prepare me in a way I never expected.  I learned over the summer, not a new scripture or method of prayer but I learned how to truly rely on God and not to forget Him amongst the good times.  This lesson is not one that can be taught from a book or a tape but must be learned through living through it.  As I sit reflecting on the trials of the summer, the pain of them fades and I begin to see the good that came from all of it and thank God that He counted me worthy enough to endure it.

Then the LORD said to Satan, "Have you considered my servant Job? There is no one on earth like him; he is blameless and upright, a man who fears God and shuns evil." Job 1:8