I think I could take on any atheist today! For sure it’s not due to my intellect! It’s because I could show them how my living God has been by my side these last 24 hours, revealing Himself to me in ways that you can only experience when you go through the fire of trials.
A blessing of yesterday was that my mother-in-law was discharged from the hospital and will be living with us, under the umbrella of Hospice. However, on Sunday, my husband’s “cold” symptoms worsened, causing me to take him to an urgent care in the afternoon where he was diagnosed with Walking Pneumonia! Therefore, Monday’s events of getting my MIL home, setting up Hospice, getting her room ready, running a couple errands and then getting home to wait on Hospital bed and other equipment to be delivered was solely my responsibility.
My husband, who could have done a commercial for NyQuil, stayed home while I drove to the hospital, all the while quoting James chapter one. “Count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations.” My prayer in the car was that the Lord would help me know how to do that all day.
Mid-morning I got to go sit in the lobby while they bathed my MIL. I took a book a sweet gal at church had given me on Sunday – Finding God’s Path Through Your Trials by Elizabeth George. Grabbing my coffee and the book, I sat down and began to read.
“I realize that I have to learn to count instead of counting on others. to ‘count’ means to evaluate, to consider, and to account for something. In the case of James 1, it is the trial that is to be evaluated to the point that a decision is to be made to ‘count’ it as all joy. Counting a trial as joy is done with the mind…not the emotions.”
After reading that, I realized that I had been counting on others. Who will pity me, feel sorry for my load, and tell me so? Sad, huh? But I did. But not now. I must will with my mind to count this trial as a joy. God chose me for this trial, and this trial for me. If my husband had been well, I could have dumped lots of these responsibilities on him, but instead, I had to take it to the Lord. Over and over, I saw Him bring just the right person to answer a question, get the needed equipment delivered, and make sure that everything was in order.
Then while I was running an errand, I listened to a sermon on the radio. The preacher said that the reason Jesus waited to rescue the disciples on the stormy sea was to remind us all that what seems to be over our heads, is under His feet! “He is the I AM – Jehovah; ever present to help you!”
“Yes!” I cried out in the car. “He is!”
Then I strode into the hospital with joy in my heart as I saw each nurse and hospital staff’s badge that says, “I AM.” I don’t know what significance that saying is for the hospital, but I know that each time I saw a staff member, I was reminded that God is in control! The I AM is with me! Does that mean I didn’t cry a few times? No. Does it mean it wasn’t stressful and overwhelming? No. It was those moments that ran me to the Lord, and you know what? He was there.
You tell me there is no God? I’m sorry, but He is alive and at work in my life and yours every single day! I’m counting my trials with joy, and also the times I’ve seen Him intervene on my behalf. What a God we serve!
With Joy,
RefreshHer 
Tears were streaming down my face as I read today's post. Only the Lord could have orchestrated such perfect timing! It was just what I needed.
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What wisdom the Lord has given you, a mighty lesson for all of us. Thank you for sharing amonst your many duties. My the Lord continue to enrich you lives, and those whom you serve.
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<3
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Jennifer, thank you for sharing – you have added to my joy in this trial.
Mom, you have been an encouragement to me each day with your calls and prayers. God has used you to be a part of His work in my life.
Debby, What a blessing to have a friend who loves you! I love you back!
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