We were all checked in, flights approved, just 24 hours until time to board the plane. But now another failed attempt! Another disappointment! The Coronavirus interrupted our plans! It was apparent the trip would have to be cancelled (like at Thanksgiving time) but this time because of a world-wide virus. At the time we were due to fly to Denver we weren’t sure what we were dealing with. And as panic mode sets in, we see our return flight could have been in serious jeopardy. So now I have a large package waiting to be mailed. Wow, will we ever get to see that precious granddaughter of ours? It is very discouraging when life keeps throwing curveballs! But you know, God is always in the center of it all and it is never “hit and miss” with Him. He knows exactly what He’s doing. And so, once again, we feel very confident this is all for a greater purpose. Certainly, in our lives it has proven true!

On February 8^th, my mother-in-law fell breaking her left hip and left wrist. While in the hospital, she had surgery and was then sent to a rehabilitation facility while my dear sister-in-law and her husband kept a vigilant watch over the situation. With our Colorado trip being cancelled, we loaded the car and drove the distance to rest and relax in Pigeon Forge before heading to Knoxville in plenty of time to assist in getting my mother-in-law’s home ready for her release from the rehab center. We accomplished a great deal in preparing the home and were able to “spring” her from the facility (just in time before the visitation ban went into effect) and then spend a couple days getting her resettled while giving my sister-in-law and her husband a break to accomplish some very important projects. Was it an encouragement to them? Was it timely?

Had the Lord gone before me this month impressing the need for encouragement to be my battle cry? Had He even prepared a way for me to give this encouragement? Yes, & Yes! And through praying for Him to show me ways to be an encourager, He made a way for us to assist my sister-in-law and her husband to the extent that she herself said, “The timing was a God-thing!” Though not overcoming the disappointment of missing another visit with our granddaughter and her family, what God enabled us to accomplish in Tennessee reinforces a measure of resting in Him.

Equally, have you found ways to bring encouragement to someone during this time of so much uncertainty? Have you been encouraged through a Facebook post or some Scripture that you have read recently?

Here’s the passage I shared during the month of December after Rodney’s accident.

“My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the LORD.
“And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts (Isaiah 55:8 & 9, NLT).

We can trust the Lord with our very lives. He is our Creator after all. And His ways are so beyond our understanding at times! But Who better to turn to with our cares?

“Give all your worries and cares to God, for he cares about you” (1 Peter 5:7, NLT).

In closing I want to share with you (as I have before), one of my favorite passages:

“Incline your ear and hear the words of the wise, And apply your mind to my knowledge; For it will be pleasant if you keep them within you, That they may be ready on your lips. So that your trust may be in the LORD, I have taught you today, even you” (Proverbs 22:17-19, NASB).

Does this passage encourage you as it does me?