MILESTONES

     "Be strong and of good courage, do not fear nor be afraid of them; for the Lord your God, He is the One who goes with you.  He will not leave you nor forsake you."

Deuteronomy 31:6

As I think back in my life to all the milestones, good and bad, there is one constant, God has never left me nor forsaken me.  And, in my lifetime there have been many, many milestones.  We all have experienced many of the same ones.  First steps, first words, first day of school, first loves, first dates, and the list goes on and on.  

As I look back on my life and ponder over the many times God has saved me from something unfortunate, and sometimes not to my liking, I now see he was saving me for something greater.  For instance, we moved when I was a Junior in high school from the only place I had ever lived to a foreign land known as Alabama.  But I know now he had greater plans for me and that move eventually led me to meet the love of my life who I would spend over 38 years with and who would give me three of the most precious, most honorable sons a mother could have.  God was with me through all of that.

Joseph and his family continue to serve God in Thailand and Makaila and Joshua are now in 2nd grade and Kindergarten.  Michael is still in Virginia and Kali started Pre-K today.  Where has the time gone?   My baby boy, Brian married the love of his life, Michelle in May and I know God has ordained their paths and has great plans for them.  

This year has had many more milestones.  The love of my life passed on to glory six months ago.  That seems so long ago, but yet just like yesterday.  I never imagined having to experience the loss of my other half, especially not at this time in my life.  But God has not forsaken me and I believe and know in my heart of hearts that He will never leave me.  He goes with me and has great things in store for me.  Just what, I do not know.  

Since before David's passing, I have been contemplating the thought of retirement.  After 21 years, I have decided that is what God is leading me to do.  I know to many, this does not make sense.  Financially, on paper, it does not make sense to me, and when I told God it didn't make sense and I couldn't make it financially at this time, He asked me, "Are you trusting in your ability to make it, or in mine to see you through?"  Now some may think that it is silly to think that God spoke to me in this manner, but when you seek Him and His will, He will reveal it to you in His own way.  And as I looked back on all the times He has seen me through good and bad times, I have to know and trust Him that He will see me through this. 

So, as of December 9, 2016, I will be a retiree.  Someone asked me what I am going to do when I retire, and my answer was and is, "I don't know, God hasn't told me that yet, but He has told me it is time."  And believe me, since I have made that decision public, there have been several trials and tests placed before me, but my response is, I will not fear, for the Lord my God goes with me and I will forever praise Him.

PSALM 30

I will extol You, O Lord, for You have lifted me up

and have not let my foes rejoice over me.

O Lord my God, I cried out to You, 

and You healed me.

O Lord, You brought my soul up from the grave;

You have kept me alive, that I should not go down to the pit.

Sing praise to the Lord, you saints of His,

and give thanks at the remembrance of His holy name.

For His anger is but for a moment,

His favor is for life;

Weeping may endure for a night,

BUT JOY COMES IN THE MORNING!

Now in my prosperity I said, I shall never be moved.

Lord, by Your favor You have made my mountain stand strong;

You hid Your face, and I was troubled.

I cried out to You, O Lord;

and to the Lord I made supplication;

What profit is there in my blood,

when I go down to the pit?

Will the dust praise You?

Will it declare Your truth?

Hear, O Lord, and have mercy on me;

Lord, be my helper!

You have turned for me my mourning into dancing;

You have put off my sackcloth and clothed me with gladness.

To the end that my glory may sing praise to You and not be silent.

O Lord, my God, I will give thanks to You forever.