July 23, 2008 - Praises Along the Way--Just One More Thing

Recently we took a trip to Indy for the night, and Danni had a lot of swelling and discomfort but she enjoyed the trip. We, (Danni, Jessi, Atlee and me) walked around the children’s museum and then stayed in a water park hotel for the night. Jessi, Atlee and I had fun pushing Danni up the ramps and around the museum together in the wheel chair. What a team! We laughed and giggled as we all worked together.

At first it was hard for Danni to take the ride but by the end she was wheeling herself around the exhibits. We were grateful for the chair, what a great invention! We were glad to get to the hotel and eat and swim a bit. Danni rested in the room while we went down to see the water park. Even though Jessi and Atlee had been there before they had a great time splashing and swimming. Matt had been working in Indy that day and joined us when he was done. Overall, it was a great time of bonding for all of us.

I have lots of pictures, now I just have to figure out how to get them off of my phone! I’ll share a few when I do.

Currently, Danni is doing well, we got her a water pill for her swelling and that seems to be helping. Then last night we got a call that Matt’s dad was going to the emergency room. “Here we go again,” we thought. Last week we had Matt’s mom in the hospital for a broken hip and this week it’s his dad with gall stones. He had to be moved to Ft Wayne as there wasn’t anything they could do for him in Kendallville. He needed to see the specialist and was transported to Ft Wayne last night at midnight.

This morning I woke up to 2 Corinthians 4:8-9 swirling around in my heart…”We are hard pressed on every side, but not crushed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not abandoned; struck down, but not destroyed.”

I feel as if God has us in the palm of his hand pressing down upon us with his other hand. There is intense pressure coming from every side, all around us but in all of this refining process we aren’t completely ground into dust. He’s changing us. Life with him is a process he starts with one element and brings pressure and fire into our lives changing us into another more valuable element to be used for his purposes and his glory.

Sometimes I sin, I’m not perfect! Following Jesus is a growing process just like learning to walk or ride a bike. It takes time and practice to walk in his steps, to learn his ways and be taught by him.

It’s a dance between you and him. He takes you into his arms and the music begins. He moves you gently around and around bringing great joy to your heart. Sometimes, when your learning to dance you step on your partner’s toes but Jesus is forgiving. “Forgiven, “he says to us when we fail.

The music of life has different movements in it sometimes slow and reflective, sometimes loud and crashing but through it all he never takes his hand from my waist. The faster we whirl the closer to himself he pulls me, holding me tight never letting go, not even when the dance of life is over. Never will he leave or forsake me, his word says so. Jesus, thank you for the dance of life and whatever music comes hold me tight and never let me go. Keep my feet from stumbling and let your glory shine through me. I love you, Lord Amen.