Ecclesiastes 3 tells us that "To everything there is a season." I have experienced this truth many times and in many different ways throughout the years. We've certainly experienced many times to "mourn" and to "rejoice," with God's presence not once being void from either end of the spectrum. Our family has entered yet another new season, and with it has come many challenges and many blessings. As I reflect on the how God has been at work in so many of the details to make this season a reality, I recognize what a faith-growing experience all of the trials within it have been, so as we continue to face some struggles over these next few months, it has stretched my faith to realize, once again, that God has never failed me, and He isn't going to stop now.
During this season, I felt the Holy Spirit urge me to be intentional with this extra time I have with Annie on the road, so each morning we listen to the previous day's worship devotional from Shane and Shane and also read a Psalm together and discuss it. Today's song was "To God Be the Glory", and the Psalm was Psalm 3 which talks about how God never delays--He is ever our refuge and strength. I immediately was reminded of a song I hadn't sung in quite some time, "Always" and played it in the car:
"Oh my God, He will not delay, my refuge and strength, always. I will not fear, His promise is true, my God will come though always. Always..."
I couldn't help but think of all of the many ways the Lord has come through for our family, especially as of late. And then being reminded of Fanny Crosby's story of such joy in the midst of difficulty, I was greatly encouraged and convicted as we journey through this new season God has for us.
After I finished my last class and went to my conference time, I poured another cup of coffee (one, my room is FREEzing--like 62-64 degrees--and two, I was about to go on a 4+ hour drive at the worst traffic time of the day and week: Friday afternoon/evening.) and listened to the song "Always" one more time. I was feeling quite thankful for my sweet hubby buying me a pink coffee pot for my office so took a quick selfie to document that, with his help, I'd made it to the end of the week and smiled knowing I'd be on my way to
see him and my kiddos in just about an hour.
As I continued working on my computer to prepare for next week, I felt a nudge to check the testing website one more time to see if my scores happened to get posted early. Spoiler alert: they hadn't and were still listed as pending. But then I remembered that *sometimes* your certification program's page will post results a bit earlier. I really wasn't expecting to see them, so when the website loaded and I saw the words "PASSED," I literally had to stop for a moment to process.
I'm pretty sure all the words began blurring together and I had to take a moment to make of what I was actually reading. I then teared up before going into a full blown ugly cry. It was the type of cry when you release an insane amount of various emotions that you didn't even realize you were holding in and you're suddenly feeling all of those emotions all at once--joy, sadness, shock, struggle, relief, gratitude...and then the realization that once again, God had come through out of His kindness and grace. Completing this certification while working full time (plus additional contract work) and being a wife and momma has been draining and often felt completely impossible. It has not been a solo effort, though. My husband's support, my family's understanding and encouragement, and the LORD have made it all possible. As I found myself in a true "ugly-cry" state, I was reminded how, once again, "My God will come through always," and "To Him be the glory."
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