Timing

A recent devotional, in my new fav, "Streams in the Desert", was on God's timing. So appropriate because I've been thinking about "time" lately a lot. Not so much "how much time", but rather the quality of the time spent. I'm certain these thoughts have much to do with my oldest graduating from jr high and my youngest transitioning from preschool to junior kindergarten. Or perhaps it's because 3 of our 4 kids have birthdays over the next 2 weeks.

We spend so much time thinking about time, whether it be subliminal or consciously, ouldnt you agree?

In this Devo it used the example of Abraham and Sarah. 

If God has told Abraham while he was in Haran that he would have to wait thirty years before holding his promised child in his arms, his heart might have failed him. So, God, as an act of His gracious love, hid from Abraham the number of weary years he would be required to wait. Only as the time was approaching, with but a few months left to wait, did God reveal Hos promise: "at the appointed time next year...Sarah will have a son"(Gen. 18:14). The "appointed time" came at last, and soon the joyous laughter that filled the patriarch's home caused the now elderly couple to forget their long and tiring wait. 

So take heart, dear child, when God requires you to wait. The One you wait for will not disappoint you. He will never be even five minutes behind "the appointed time". Soon "your grief will turn to joy" (John 16:20) ~Streams in the Desert devotional, may 24th

Don't you love it!?!? Not even 5 minutes behind schedule. Time is not the focus here. It truly is the quality in which we spend it. And how it's all according to God's perfect time schedule. Not ours. So easy to say, so difficult to believe in some situations. I'm working on always believe this. It's truly a "practice makes...." well, I won't use the word perfect, but you know what I mean ;)!

Speaking of such, here is a pictorial run down of some monumental time markers...

    Gold Rush 4th grade Field Trip 

    Jameson celebrated his 11th birthday 

    

    My boys

    Benefit Concert with Dominic Balli (graciously put on for myself and little Eli, by our church)

    The Rock Academy Awards Night

    Bellen had preschool promotion

    (Pictured with Mrs.Lori, her beloved teacher)

    Meran graduated Jr. high...

    And was one of two students (top of their class) chosen to speak at graduation

    Visalia fam visits

Seeing in the Dark

Isn't it so cool how the Lord created our eyes to adjust to the complete darkness over time? When everything goes black, at first, I feel almost panic-like. Grasping for something to hold on to. Kind of flustered. Then, a bit of time passes and our eyes adjust. Things start to come into focus and all of a sudden it doesn't seem pitch black anymore. Pretty soon, you can actually "see" in the "dark". And then it just seems normal.

This is a perfect depiction of our life the past 2 years. 

Dark and scary

Adjustment to the dark

Now we see light. Lots of light.

While still in the dark (as in still have cancer)

It's amazing when other things, things that aren't really important, are shadowed by this darkness bringing to light what is.

I was reminded yesterday, Mother's Day, as I sat in church with my kids, went the ball game with them and read and heard their love for me thru poems and cards, that this was one of the things I prayed for, begged for, from God. Time. Pure and simple. Time with my kids. And yesterday was another Mother's Day in the books for us. I don't like to think about them having to face a Mother's Day without me, which is a reality for many, I know. But it may be in their future. However, for now, I'm feeling good! I'm looking healthy;). And I have time, sweet time, with my 4 reasons. They are the reason I fight the good fight, cry, laugh, ponder the future, cry out to the Lord for healing, trust His all knowing plan. 

My eyes have adjusted and I'm seeing the light.

I would have despaired unless I had believed that I would see the goodness of the Lord...wait for the LORD; be strong, let your heart take courage. Psalm 27:13-14 nasb