The frenzy and craziness of summer is here with kids coming and going all day long.  I think there has only been one night since school got out last week that at least one kid hasn’t had a sleepover.  Ryan seems to be adjusting well to the new routine, and I know it helps that he wasn’t in school all day so he isn’t missing it as much.  As long as he gets out of the house at least once a day he does OK.  In two weeks we start our summer camps, and Trevor is in full swing with baseball. 

I love how God speaks so gently to me when I need it most but also least expect it. These past couple of days have brought a lot of time simply thinking and having to adjust my attitude about all kinds of things.  And that reflection has brought me to a place of realizing, once again, that I am exactly where I am supposed to be with my family, my job, my friends, my daily activities.  It’s very easy to get caught up in the idea that if this changed, my life would be so much better, if I moved over here, I could get rid of this stress and things would be easier.  But then I come back to the familiar realization that no matter where I am, what I face or how I view my circumstances, life is always going to be hard and there will always be struggles.  My job is to be able to weed through the stress, anxiety and pain to see, and enjoy, the good that every day brings.  Because no matter how bad things get, there is always, always, always something to be thankful for, something to bring joy, something to smile about.  Just this morning I was once again reminded that my attitude is so much more important than my circumstances as I read from Jesus Calling by Sarah Young:

I am involved in each moment of your life.  I have carefully mapped out every inch of your journey through this day, even though much of it may feel haphazard.  Because the world is in a fallen condition, things always seem to be unraveling around the edges.  Expect to find trouble in this day.  At the same time, trust that My way is perfect, even in the midst of such messy imperfection.

Stay conscious of Me as you go through this day, remembering that I never leave your side.  Let the Holy Spirit guide you step by step, protecting you from unnecessary trials and equipping you to get through whatever must be endured.  As you trudge through the sludge of this fallen world, keep your mind in heavenly places with Me.  Thus the Light of My presence shines on you, giving you Peace and Joy that circumstances cannot touch.

As for God, his way is perfect; the word of the Lord is flawless.  He is a shield for all who take refuge in him. ~ Psalm 18:30

For I am the Lord, your God, who takes hold of your right hand and says to you, Do not fear; I will help you. ~ Isaiah 41:13

This last verse is one I have carried in my heart since Ryan was very young.  It’s been the one verse I hold on to whenever things get hard, when the journey with him seems unbearable, when I have reached the end of my rope and I have nothing left to do but cling helplessly to the One who saves.  It’s a simple yet profound reminder that no matter what life throws at us, it’s not too much for God.  Nothing is too much for Him.  His resources are limitless, His grace is sufficient, His love is overflowing, His forgiveness is new every day, His mercies are amazing, His Word is true and His name can be trusted.

There are many of you who come to mind who are also facing some very difficult situations right now.  My prayer is for you to also reach out to the One who is enough, who loves you more than you can possibly imagine, who wants nothing more than to comfort you and keep you in his perfect care, who has an amazing plan for your life, who longs to be worshiped and praised, who gives peace in the midst of the storm.  He is enough.