Have you ever noticed how trials, problems, etc come in bunches? We have just gone through one of those periods where you look back and think, "dang did all of that just happen in the last couple weeks?" So, in the past four weeks we have had the following take place:
1. Samantha miscarried and hemorrhaged so badly that we had to race to the emergency room. She was hospitalized for two days and had to be given a blood transfusion because she had lost so much blood. Thankfully after two weeks of bedrest she is beginning to feel better.
2. an irs audit.(thankfully we have discovered it is their mistake not ours)
3. a broken hot water heater.
4. a toilet broke in our house
5. the car battery died.
6. our new cd player broke
7. the renewal of our visas is still on hold. we will have to go to the prefecture a 5th time with even more paperwork which has never been asked for before.
8. electrical problems in the house
9. my laptop died
Yes, we have been discouraged and beaten down, but through it all God is carrying us. It's been a good time to remember what scripture teaches us about trials. They are a part of life in this fallen world. They are most definitely a part of a Christian's life. Jesus promises that we will have trouble in this world, and Peter tells us not to be surprised by the trials we face. So how should we respond to these bad times in our lives? Here are just a few things that have come to my mind lately.
1. Jesus never promised to take all of our problems away, but he did promise do be right there in the middle of them with us. Just this week I have been reading in Joshua where it says"Be strong and courageous; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.'
2. God uses trials in our lives to build character (Romans 5:3-5, James 1)
3. They make us more like Jesus as they shape us into his image(Romans 8:28-29)
4. They create genuine faith (I Peter1:6-7)
5. They help put things in perspective about what matters and doesn't matter in life. When your wife is ill, all of a sudden it becomes crystal clear what relationships and people are most important to you!
6. Trials give you greater compassion and sensitivity to others going through painful things.
So those are just a few thoughts running through my head. Already looking back there are some positive things that have happened out of all this. We have been encouraged by so many of our friends here who have reached out and helped in so many practical ways from providing meals, planning playdates for our kids, praying for us, watching our children while I was visiting Samantha in the hospital, etc. So many friends in the States and around Europe have been praying for us and sent encouraging notes and emails. God has used these trials to help me realize yet again that the most important people in my life are my wife and children. I am also reminded that life can be very hard at times, and I have a greater sense of compassion for all of those folks in the world going through far greater difficulties then we are. It's great to know that we are not meant to walk this journey of life alone but in community and that we have a God who intimately understands our lives and chooses to interact with us.
Random thoughts -
- what is up with my Cowboys?
- Isaiah is beginning to really like riding his bike. I look forward to riding with him as he continues to get bigger and stronger. IT will be fun to start mountain biking together
- Thea is so creative. She just made me the neatest birthday hat last night and decorated our whole living room for my birthday.
- Silas and I have had a lot of fun running errands together recently while Samantha has been recovering. He expects a "pain chocolat" though everywhere we go as a reward.
-- As I have fufilled the role of chief homemaker these past couple weeks, I am so reminded how demanding a role this is. It's nonstop from 7am to 9pm each day!! Cooking, cleaning, shopping, errands, caring for the kiddos, taking them to and from school, helping with homework, baths, etc. The list never ends!!
