Lately both Dave and I have been feeling overwhelmed. We are in survival mode, not thriving mode. Are we going to make it is a question we often ask. If yes, how?
Recently, Carlos over at ragamuffinsoul.com posted perhaps his best blog ever. I’ll send you over there but in quick summary, Carlos had an amazing encounter with a homeless guy named Danny. Most of us wouldn’t think that a homeless guy is exactly making it in life but Danny would disagree. He actually told Carlos that he is not just trying to make it, he is making it. And that God says, yea though you walk through the valley of the shadow of death… and He places some of us in that valley.
I’m still not sure how we are going to make it through this valley but if Danny is making it, I pray Dave and I will too.
We sure could use your prayers for strength for each day.
Click here to read Carlos’ blog and watch the AMAZING video of Carlos and Danny.
***
Dave would certainly appreciate your prayers too. He went to the doctor this morning and has bronchitis. He started an antibiotic today and hopefully it will work fast!
Thanks to Tammy and Jason for the delicious chili, cornbread and salad. I am just about to go eat more for lunch!
I will be praying for Dave and all of you. I have had bronchitis for the last three weeks. It does get better. Alot of coughing, loosing the voice etc. Will pray for quick healing. Love you all.
Dear Lord, God, Creator of the Universe and everything therein… We pray for your power and strength to fill this family. We ask for your presence to be evident and clear. Dear Lord, in Jesus’ Name, we ask for the peace only You can provide. The peace that passes all of our understanding. We speak to that bronchitis right now… it has no authority to be present in Dave and we speak it to be gone in Jesus’ Name. Be gone now and for Dave to be healed and restored to full health. Dear Lord, we give You all the praises You do so deserve. You are our Divine Yahweh and we worship and praise You for hearing our prayers; for knowing all our necessities; for supplying everything for our every need. You are truly awesome and we know You know our burdens. We pray for Dave and Lana’s burdens to be lifted and their Spirit to be free to shine Your Light and sing songs of Your splendor. You tell us that we have not because we ask not….. We ask You now for full health, safety, comfort, peace, mercy and Your grace in the hearts, bodies, and souls of Dave and Lana. Only You, Yahweh, can we lean on. And, we lean on You now in the hour of their need. All this we thank you and praise in Jesus’ precious and beautiful Name. Hallelujah and Amen…..
Amen – Let it be, Lord.
Boy, What an awesome testimony of Gods servants at his will. Praise God for Danny, thank you Jesus for putting Danny in our path. There are so many of us that just don’t “get it” but I think Danny must. When my wife decided to leave me I had resigned my self to be placed in some “home” knowing I need help. At first I was mad, then nervious, then decided I would not stay where ever I was put. I was just going to go and live for God how ever that turned out, with that I was at complete peace. By God’s grace, my ex-wifes help, and my neighbors I get to stay in my home. I don’t know how long it will last but I don’t care. I have no choice as others make my choices for me. If ever I fall silent on here you just might meet me on the street some where and no need to worry or feel sorry for me. I go with God and maybe that means I will grow old right here but one thing I know, things change in an instant and we may not be ready for it but God already has a back up plan so we are good
) I hope this makes sense.
Dave, Lana, Are you going to make it? I have been through too much and seen too much to casually say yes. Do I think either one of you will throw up your hands and say “I’m done”? Nope, not in a million years but you have a hard row to hoe so it is going to take A LOT of effort. Soon you will not only have Lauren and Carmen but baby Hope too. Dave will be working and you ,Lana, Will be taking care of 3 children two of which need constant care. I think about this as I pray for you because I know it will be hard so set your mind now for that time, make plans as best you can for help and most important ,ABSOLUTLY, you and Dave make time for you. Time to laugh, play, and fall in love all over again every chance you get because the day will come you look back and say “wow, we sure been through a lot togather” and you will be so proud. Thats my prayer for you. Once again I write too much and am very tired so I hope it is good what I say. Love to you all. God bless. In Christ, Joe
“One Day At A Time, Sweet Jesus”
I like what Danny said. God chooses to place his soldiers everywhere, and He chooses to place some in the valley of the shadow of death. It reminds me of a song I wrote recently just expressing how I want to keep worshiping God even when I’m in a challenging situation that isn’t where I want to be.
I want to praise You on the mountaintop, high above the clouds
Praise You in the victory, when I feel Your gaze so proud
Praise You when I feel like it, when I feel Your joy and peace
But maybe I can praise You best where I don’t want to be
Maybe I can praise You best where I don’t want to be
So I’ll praise You in the rain, praise You in the pain
Praise You when I can’t get up, I’ve fallen down again
Praise You when I hate the place that You’ve called me to be
I’ll praise You, I’ll praise You, Lord, ‘cause it’s not about me
I want to praise You when I’m happy, everything is going well
Not when I am struggling in my own familiar hell
Praise You when I understand, not when I just can’t see
But maybe I can praise You best where I don’t want to be
Maybe I can praise You best where I don’t want to be
So I’ll praise You in the rain, praise You in the pain
Praise You when I can’t get up, I’ve fallen down again
Praise You when I hate the place that You’ve called me to be
I’ll praise You, I’ll praise You, Lord, ‘cause it’s not about me
I will praise You when I’m where I don’t want to be
And that is how I’ll show, O Lord, just how much You mean to me
God, give us the strength to keep our hearts open before You when we don’t understand why and when we’re even a little angry at You for putting us in situations that are beyond us. You aren’t afraid to give us more than we can handle because You know that Your strength is enough long after our strength has run out. May Dave and Lana’s lives be filled with Your power so that they can remain strong even when they are weak.
Hi, What a great song, Hope I get to hear you sing it some time. God bless
I agree with Joe. I would love to hear you sing this sometime. What a great song!
Hope Dave feels better SOON! Sending our love and hugs, Nicki (Angel Riley’s Mommy)
Praying for your family……….
Your family situation is certainly different from mine; however, there is something about impending parenthood (even if it is again) that leads to uncertainty and the inevitable questions about making it.
Someone told me during our adoption process that “if God leads you to it, He’ll get you through it”. We had a tough process times 2, my husband stayed to foster for 4 more months after I came home. That separation (from my husband and children) was rough. It was made even rougher by the fact that I was 4 1/2 months pregnant when I came home and my dad died a week after I got back. My husband and I were also surving our circumstances, not thriving. With a lot of prayer and the help of friends and family, we made it through…to a place where we thrived. Baby number 4 has but us back into survival mode but we will come out on the other side with God’s help and a ton of hard work.
Joe said it well- you have a hard row to hoe. But you will do it. And when you are not able to do it alone, you will be lifted up and stronger hands than yours will shoulder the burden. And you will be blessed.
Feel better, Dave. Take care Carmen, Lana, and Lauren.
I too am remembering ya’ll in my conversations with God.