Hello from a snowy December day. Things are plugging along. We're hurtling toward Christmas at an alarming rate. Am I done with my Christmas shopping? That's a big ol' NO! Am I going to stress over it? An even bigger NO! :) I have been embroidering some stuff to give as gifts, which is enjoyable and therapeutic. (Or as Barney Fife would say, "therapetic")

I was reading the Our Daily Bread devotional book. I found this devotional. It is written by Dennis Fisher. It kind of struck a chord with me. Before going through all of this with losing Caroline, I knew that people lost babies all the time. I mean, even my own grandmother lost her first child before he was a year old. We talked about Jimmy a lot, he has always been very much part of the family. I just knew that I would never be strong enough to go through something like that. And since I wouldn't have the required strength, I assumed it just wouldn't happen to me. It's not that I thought I was "too good" or that I was above something awful like this, I guess I just thought I couldn't possibly have to live through this. Also, I think most of us have gone through things that make us think, "This is the kind of thing that only happens to other people or other families." But, it does happen. Things happen to people all the time. And, I am trying my best to give my God, who has been so good to me, my gratitude and trust. After all, he will turn my sorrow to dancing.

Psalm 30:6-12 (HCSB)

6 When I was secure, I said,
"I will never be shaken."

7 LORD, when You showed Your favor,
You made me stand like a strong mountain;
when You hid Your face, I was terrified.

8 LORD, I called to You;
I sought favor from my Lord:

9 "What gain is there in my death,
in my descending to the Pit?
Will the dust praise You?
Will it proclaim Your truth?

10 LORD, listen and be gracious to me;
LORD, be my helper."

11 You turned my lament into dancing;
You removed my sackcloth
and clothed me with gladness,

12 so that I can sing to You and not be silent.
LORD my God, I will praise You forever.

Actor Christopher Reeve was paralyzed in a horseback riding accident in 1995. Prior to this tragedy, he had played the part of a paraplegic in a movie. In preparation, Reeve visited a rehabilitation facility. He recalled: “Every time I left that rehab center, I said, ‘Thank God that’s not me.’ ” After his accident, Reeve regretted that statement: “I was so setting myself apart from those people who were suffering without realizing that in a second that could be me.” And sadly, for him, it was.

We too may look at the troubles of others and think that it could never happen to us. Especially if our life journey has led to a measure of success, financial security, and family harmony. In a moment of vanity and self-sufficiency, King David admitted to falling into the trap of feeling invulnerable: “Now in my prosperity I said, ‘I shall never be moved’” (Ps. 30:6). But David quickly caught himself and redirected his heart away from self-sufficiency. He remembered that he had known adversity in the past and God had delivered him: “You have turned for me my mourning into dancing” (v.11).

Whether He has brought us blessing or trial, God still deserves our gratitude and trust.

I can always count on God, my heavenly Father,
For He changes not; He always is the same;
Yesterday, today, forever, He is faithful,
And I know He loves me, praise His holy name. —Felten

In good times and bad, our greatest need is God.

Always her mommy,