Sometimes in our life there are moments that happen to us that cause us to pause, evaluate life, and really ponder it. This happened to me last week. Things were going along great and out of nowhere chaos entered in. My heart and thoughts were all over the place and fear began to creep in. The big “What if” questions began to swirl in my head and I found myself having to pray for help. What should I do and how do I handle the situation before me? One step at a time is all that is required of us and that’s all that I could give.

Those steps led me to tell my husband that his mom’s heart had stopped and the paramedics could not find a pulse. Paralyzed with the news, he had to take the next steps with me. We turned on our hazard lights and drove quickly down the interstate to the hospital. Upon arriving to the ER we found our family waiting as we embraced each other and held on tight. When we started our day that morning, we had no idea how it would end. None of us do! We don’t have a way of peering into the future to know how it will go, but we have someone that does. I love the way The Message Bible speaks this verse to us, “That’s right. Because I, your God, have a firm grip on you and I’m not letting go. I’m telling you, ‘Don’t panic. I’m right here to help you.'” Isaiah 41:13

He helped us hold hands as we prayed together for the first time without Ryan’s mom. Complete strangers were in the room with us but it didn’t stop us from calling out to Him for comfort and His peace. It was ushered in immediately. There were friends reaching out, friends that came to the ER to sit with us and love on us, and we all continued to take the next steps.

Our family returned home to celebrate her life. This place was home to all of us. Ryan’s sister, Ryan and myself had all been raised in this small east TX town. There are a flood of memories just driving into it and taking familiar exits. God continued to provide us comfort in the faces that we would see.  Childhood family and friends came to show us love and support. It’s amazing how seeing some faces can bring on the tears but they do. We were loved on abundantly. We even had precious friends from Mansfield drive in to be there to support us. How sweet of God to show us this kind of love during this difficult time. He was certainly holding our hand.

We even visited my childhood home that I moved into when I was three years old. Most of everyone that knew us knew where we hid the key. All were welcome and there was a lot of love when you braced its hallways. It was a surreal moment as we looked on from our car and I thought about this temporary home compared to our ETERNAL one. The key is not hidden from us. It’s simply an invitation to believe. Do you believe?
“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have everlasting life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

What a promise! What a faithful and loving God we serve!!!  My mother-in-law BELIEVED and her God came through for her just like He will come through for you and me. He CAN NOT fail. His promises are true and we will one day walk with Him in our eternal HOME forever and ever. I’m grateful He is holding our hand in the here and now and into our FOREVER.  He will never let us go!

“When we’ve been there ten thousand years…
bright shining as the sun.
We’ve no less days to sing God’s praise…
then when we’ve first begun.

Amazing Grace, how sweet the sound
that saved a wretch like me.
I once was lost but now am found,
Was blind, but now I see.”