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It’s easy to get scared when we lose our focus. We’re trying to keep our thoughts on what we know. The easiest truths we can think about always have to do with God.

Be still and know that I am God.
Psalm 46:10

Thou wilt keep him in perfect peace, whose mind is stayed on thee: because he trusteth in thee.
Isaiah 26:3

This I recall to my mind, therefore have I hope. It is of the Lord‘s mercies that we are not consumed, because his compassions fail not. They are new every morning: great is thy faithfulness. The Lord is my portion, saith my soul; therefore will I hope in him. The Lord is good unto them that wait for him, to the soul that seeketh him. It is good that a man should both hope and quietly wait for the salvation of the Lord

I don’t know how to explain this, except to say Jon and I are still human. We are experiencing the real grace of God when it comes to Ellie’s leukemia. While there are things that are confusing (and sometimes frustrating) in the midst of her treatments, we haven’t been angry with God because of this.

But, to be quite honest, I am struggling with my attitude in regards to a lot of other things. I know that there is a lot of stress in my life right now whether I feel stressed or not, but there is never an okay excuse for a bad attitude. I’m very aware of my responses to others currently, and I know that at times I am frustrated with people who are trying to help the best way they know how or with people who love me or with situations that don’t really matter…and of…

When Jon and I were talking about our word for the day, he mentioned possession. As in, we keep saying “our” Ellie or people tell us they are praying for “your” Ellie, etc. But the truth is…Ellie isn’t my possession. She isn’t Jon’s or any other human being’s possession, either. She is God’s. Even though this stings my heart a little, ultimately I know that it’s true and she couldn’t be cared for by anyone better. I’m also thankful that God gave her to Jon and I to raise for Him.

I remember when we dedicated Ellie at church, and the prayer of our heart has always been for God to do His will in Ellie’s life. We have prayed the same prayer for Brooklynn, too. We are responsible for Ellie, but ultimately she belongs to God. We can’t get mad at Him for taking care of her how He sees fit…

Order.  I need it.  I  just read an article that describes a way of having better order in my home and my heart is leaning hard into her plan.  “Only keep that which brings you joy.” Hmm, she has me thinking and wondering if I can make this work!

The Lord also gives us  directives to have order in our lives and it comes through (brace yourself) submission.  Why do we squirm under that term?  If we obey it, it will bring even more calm and blessing than perfectly ordered dresser drawers! Through submission a nation is honored, a home is at rest, and a church is guided.  Consider what Peter 5 tells us:

 The elders which are among you I exhort, who am also an elder, and a witness of the sufferings of Christ, and also a partaker of the glory that shall be revealed:

² Feed the flock of…

Rest
Today was a day of restlessness for Ellie. Her struggle was between sleep and food. She would lie down for 5 minutes and sleep, then wake up with a definite urgency for food. This happened all morning long, and finally, at 2:45 p.m., I decided that she was going to sleep better cuddling with mama. So that’s what we did for an hour.

There are multiple verses that come to my mind when I think about the idea of rest.

I think about peace.

I will both lay me down in peace, and sleep; for thou, Lord, only makest me dwell in safety.
Psalm 4:8

I think about trust.

Trust in the Lord, and do good; so shalt thou dwell in the land, and verily thou shalt be fed. Delight thyself also in the Lord: and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart. Commit thy…