”I hate the two-faced, but I love your clear-cut revelation. You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me.”
Psalms 119:113 MSG
We were on vacation along one of the beautiful beaches of Mexico that faces the Caribbean Sea just last week.
The pictures tell a story of beauty, joy, comfort, rest, adventure and excitement.
And while that is true, it’s important to share the other pieces too.
Social media allows us to spread the message that everything is perfect, everyone is poised and every day is amazing.
But I’d hate to be a part of that lie.
The reality is that being away on this getaway wasn’t any different than it was being at home when it comes to the things that actually matter.
We had disagreements, an overstimulated baby at times and other inconveniences tempting us to be upset and unhappy.
We still had to fight FOR our union with God, FOR our marriage, FOR our hearts, FOR peace, FOR joy and FOR gratitude.
This understanding would be God’s sweet grace in preparing us for what was to follow.
Two days after arriving in OH from MX, our car which we’d left at the airport all week now wouldn’t start.
Two days later, we drove off to VA for my spiritual Dad’s celebration of life service.
We were both asked to speak- a very weighty but intimate invitation. The angst from both preparing what to say and speaking in front of hundreds was thick.
On our way home from this, our car broke down on the highway in PA. The tow truck dropped us off at a hotel nearby where we stayed the night until help could come in the morning.
We spent the following days endlessly searching for the vehicle that would honor our budget, goals and needs.
A frustrating endeavor for sure.
Did I mention our baby was teething and sick between all this? 😅
But you know what?
I am grateful.
I’m grateful for God’s creativity in the hues of turquoise that we got to see from our balcony in the ocean.
I’m grateful for a husband whose wisdom and generosity has made it possible for us to get away for a while.
I’m grateful for the man who helped jumpstart our car at the airport so we wouldn’t have to be there all night.
I’m grateful for the Hetrick family who invited Sam and I to be a part of Rob’s memorial in such an intimate way.
I’m grateful for my husband’s family’s willingness to help when our car broke down miles away.
I’m grateful for friends who pray for me at the drop of a hat when I let them know I need it.
I’m grateful for God.
For His majesty, His company, His guidance, His friendship, His love, His provision, His protection and His humor.
On vacation,
Waking up to green and blue waters,
At a service that both breaks and heals your heart,
Back home,
Amidst the ins and outs of daily life,
Or in chaos,
A truly peaceful mind absent from anxiety,
A truly joyful heart absent from discontentment,
A truly strong union absent from fear
All are the fruit of KNOWING God intimately and allowing Him to be our stability.
How gracious of the Holy Spirit to whisper these teachings to us for us to grasp right before the chaos came.
”I hate the two-faced, but I love your clear-cut revelation. You’re my place of quiet retreat; I wait for your Word to renew me.”
Psalms 119:113 MSG
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