Sunday Sentiments

 

Thank you all for the birthday wishes for Ryan. We had a great day yesterday celebrating him!

The night before his birthday, long after he fell asleep, I curled up on my side of the bed, praying over the many unknowns of our immediate future. We have less than a week until Tim and Justine move on to their next life chapter, and we know the transition season (for which we do not currently have a solid timeline) will look so strange. So different. 

Ryan and I have learned many things during our time here at WillowBridge. Not only have we learned many things in general, we've also learned many things about ourselves, our relationship with God, and our relationship with each other. And one thing I have personally learned in these last few months is that God will likely ask me to do things that feel so very much beyond my capabilities. And when the moment comes, He'll strengthen me for it. 

So as I curled up in bed, wondering how long or short of a time we'll be without our support couple, God nudged me to give that burden to Him. No need to carry it. I can't do a single thing about it anyway. Stewing about it in the darkness from my bed does not make anyone get here faster. But trusting God to bring the right people in His time will strengthen my faith. I don't know what kind of story He's writing, but I remember the story He wrote with us, so why would I think He's give up writing now?

Do I want this season to last indefinitely? Absolutely not. But if it does, do I believe He will give me the day-by-day grace and strength to get through it? I sure do. (Though I may have to remind myself of it now and then. Or frequently.)

These words from Isaiah may need to be written on our walls in permanent marker. (Just kidding, Rob, if you're reading this.) 

Do you not know? Have you not heard? 

The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom.

He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak.

(Isaiah 40:28-29)

And so I rest in that promise today. God has given me a fantastic teammate in Ryan. We've worked hard the last almost ten months to build up a brand new connection together. We've found a rhythm in working together. We're not perfect, of course, but God has taught us how to make this teamwork flow, and I know we can do this. And when we falter in our own strength, He will be faithful to give us HIS strength. After all, He's not tired.

So we gear up on this day, facing a new week, knowing that by the end of the week, the team we've always shared our days with will be no more.

But we are so thankful that the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth, is also on our team. He's not leaving or forsaking us.