Always Faithful

I pray that you and yours had a blessed Christmas last week! We are quickly approaching 2010 and as I reflect on the past year I can't help but think about how faithful the Lord has been to us in both the big and small things. I want to share with you a story of his faithfulness in my life recently.

Tim's return from sea was delayed indefinitely just before his scheduled homecoming. To make matters worse, it was only days from Thanksgiving and we had no idea if he would make it home in time. It was too late to plan a trip home to see family and even if we did, it could mean missing his return from sea. I knew that throwing a pity party wouldn't help and that I need to remain strong and positive for the boys. But I knew it would be a struggle. I just wanted my husband home - NOW! I asked the other ladies in my Bible Study if they would pray that God would encourage me in my marriage, to specifically remind me how blessed I am to have Tim, and that I would be able to focus on those things rather than how much I missed him.

That next morning the boys were grouchy and fighting so we headed to the playground to get some fresh air and play for a little while. I had gone back to feeling sorry for myself when another mother showed up with her 2 year old little girl and 9 month old little boy. We were the only ones at the park and we chatted briefly about the "terrible two's" and our kids. Out of the blue, she casually mentions that her last pregnancy was unplanned and that her husband had left when she was 7 months pregnant.

It became very difficult to wallow in self-pity thinking about this young mother. I might not know when he was coming home, but I could be assured of two things. 1. He would be coming home to me. 2. He wanted to be home even more than I wanted him to be there! That conversation was exactly what I needed for some perspective. God was faithful to answer my prayers for encouragement just when I needed it most.

Thankfully, Tim made it home for Thanksgiving and we have had a wonderful time of adjustment with him home since then. But even if he hadn't, I know that God would have been faithful to sustain us. He always has and always will.

I pray that as you reflect on 2009 that you ask God to reveal areas in which He has been faithful. And praise Him for those! For He is great and worthy to be praised!