I still remember the early morning hour on February 18, 1998 when my husband left me! It was a Wednesday and I was a total wreck. Three friends called or came by throughout the day to see if they could help. I was even interviewed by the local television station and aired on the evening news with my 3 children! What transpired to invite such attention? It wasn’t that I was a pastor’s wife or that my husband was leaving, but his destination. You see, my husband, along with several other pastors, were flying to Israel that day. There was unrest in Israel and it was possible the trip would be cancelled. My dear husband was hoping to not see the trip cancelled and the news reporters were hoping for an interesting story. An anxious wife, fearful for her husband traveling to a place with so much unrest, would surely be newsworthy. The trip wasn’t cancelled and thankfully, with the help of those three friends, the Lord whipped me into shape before the interview. That was the start of 10 days of needing some “great” faith. C.H. Spurgeon said, “Little faith will bring your souls to heaven, but great faith will bring heaven to your souls.” I needed some great faith, badly.

God gave me the verse, “My grace is sufficient for thee” (2 Corinthians 12:9). Like a strategic plan unfolding, at three different times, in three different ways that verse appeared during my hubby’s absence. First, through my dear husband’s hand-written letter he left for me; Second, through a hand-written card an aunt mailed me out of the blue; And third, perfectly placed in my devotional book for the exact day of February 26, the day before my husband’s return as my picture-perfect world rocked loudly. What I found “rocky” then was only a taste of the shaking I would experience in the next 10 years. But God . . .

God’s grace truly is the bedrock of my existence and the only place of real refuge. He is the rock that never will be shaken!        

 “The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, My God, my rock, in whom I take refuge; My shield and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalm 18:2, NASB).

This family picture was taken in 2008, 10 years after the Israel trip. I can say it makes me proud to see each one posed – Victories had been won in which the Lord provided much-needed growth and guidance! Precious family times were enjoyed!  However, as long as there is breath, lessons will be a part of our journey.  It wasn’t long after this picture, more storms and winds roared and crashed, testing our endurance and hold on THE DELIVERER! However, if I took another picture now, in 2019, 11 years later, there would be poses of victory again. Even though life is full of crashing waves and roaring winds, we can know without a doubt that our refuge is always sure, the Rock in which we trust is totally capable of holding us through the storms, of never losing His grip, of causing good to come from cyclones, and there is nothing He cannot calm. He IS our refuge from the mighty storms of life and His grace is ALWAYS sufficient. His grace IS sufficient for the journey!

 “but thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ” (1 Corinthians 15:57).

A Friendly Reminder:

NEVER lose Hope!

Our victory is secured through Jesus!

Stand Firm (Ephesians 6:14a) while shouting “Cheese!”