I know I have just got back from a wonderful vacation, and to be honest I needed the change of scenery. Life has been hard in the Laruel household. Not one particular thing, just many things. God working on my heart (which left me feel like I was having open heart surgery), dealing with some stresses of having a teenager, and then normal every day problems that seem to catch up to you and sometimes try to overwhelm you. I wish I could sit here and say “I handed it all over to God and it was all fine.” But then I would be lying through my fingers (hehe like that “lying through my fingers”)well anyways where was I… I did end up giving it to God but after major anxiety, almost to the point of throwing up on the side of the road because I felt everything closing in on me. This is where God came and did some surgery. I completed a book about Spiritual Disciples which I will review later because it is a MUST READ BOOK and the Lord helped me get back on track, and I spent time reading a book about women of the bible. And with each woman the Lord blessed me and taught me. Finally I did come to the point that I said, whatever will be will be, I give it all to you Lord. The problems did not go away, but I suddenly had peace. But boy talking about being on vacation and feeling like you just went through the dryer =)
But I do have one area where I am praising God with tears streaming down…
I mentioned before my son was taking a very important reading test. Any regular readers know this is an area where we have been putting a lot of our time and effort towards.
Well HE PASSED WITH FLYING COLORS, I was told last night. Not only did he pass but he got one of the highest scores in his summer reading class. Suddenly all the trails we are going through, seems small compared to this great joy. This was a big deal in the Laurel household, we called all grandparents, etc…
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{ 16 comments }
Dear Laurel,
I am so glad you had a relaxing vacation. The scenery you showed us was beautiful. I know what you mean about your dog being so excited to see you and the cat ….LOL our cat is the same way remind me to tell you about the time I had to fly her on and airplane oh my….LOL
I am so glad your son passed his reading test. Good for him. All your hard work paid off. Praise be to God.
I know what you mean about stress too. Hugs to you and you have been in my prayers my friend.
Btw thank you again for leaving me comments on my guest column it meant so much to me I cried as I have been so busy myself keeping up mine and trying to write on my friends I was hoping someone read it.
Love,
Angel (D.)
Hey Laurel..
So glad you are back home and that God tended to your heart in such a special way on vacation..I know you are so thrilled over your son’s test! I know in my life when things like that fall into place, I think, “Lord, why did I ever doubt that you would take care of it?” The great thing is, if the outcome is not like we planned, we can still be confident He has the best thing in mind for us….We are always safe in the heart of God!!
Welcome back friend!
Lisa
Tell your son that we are all very proud of him (I’ve been praying for your boys). He has done a terrific job.
I know just what you mean Laurel. It seems God is speaking to many of us about the same things. This full surrender – this absolute trust – is not an easy lesson to learn. Thank you for sharing your heart.
It sounds like you’ve had a rough time lately. I’m glad God has been teaching you some things, although the lesson was hard. I can’t wait to hear about the book.
Congrats to your son!!!
Laurel – I am SO thrilled that you are back. But I am also glad that the Lord gave you the time to reflect, refresh and reconnect with your family on a more deeper level.
…Praising Him with you.
It is good to just stand back and let life be life to smell the roses.
I am so excited for your young son. I am sure he is very happy about the result
Blessings to you and yours, my sweet friend.
Aw, sweetie. I am so glad for you about your son’s test results! That’s great! I hope it encourages him to tackle whatever he chooses for his next challenge!
Happy to read all went well with your son’s test. Glad you’re safely home. Thanks for your honest sharings
1) As a mom who’s always cheering for the successes of my children, especially when they’ve poured their heart into “whatever”, I’m thrilled for you, your son, your family. Such a relief, I know…such a feeling of accomplishment for him
.
2) Was it Richard Foster’s book by chance? That one rocked my little world when I read it.
3) I’m probably going out on a limb, Laurel, but…often the “inner (wo)man” is our worst adversary. Forget satan, forget the world, it’s that space we live in our minds. We KNOW ourselves like no other human…even our spouse. We know our capacity for sin, depravity, and knowing that is exacerbated by what’s going on externally…those little things all around us that add.up.quickly.
Anyway, all I’m saying is I hear your struggle and it’s real and can’t be solved easily. I know the rhetoric, all the “right” things to say to encourage you, even challenge you, but sometimes in the living…it can’t be “solved” that way.
Ok…NOW I’m rambling…sorry… I can’t seem to express what I’m trying to say. Just know I think so much of you…you’re r.e.a.l. to me, and I believe with all my heart that what is going on with you, ultimately, is for your good, God’s glory…and eventually, the advance of the gospel. And that’s enough
.
(shoot, I’m signing in w/my Blogger ID if I remember it…but you know I’m at typepad now
).
Woohooo!!! Your back! You were missed.
God is good and He has already used all that stress for good. Isn’t that awesome! I am proud of your boy. I know how hard it can be, believe me.
Please tell your son “Congratulations” from me!
Oh Laurel, I almost had a heart attack when you brought up the test score! Yahoo! That is awesome!!!
So glad you found some good books and found time to connect with God.
Yay on the reading test–that’s just fantastic news!
So glad you were able to have your time away… and so glad you are back home!
Rejoicing with you in your son’s scores!! Praise God!!
Thank goodness for favorite beds and pillows, and for friends who understand we all need to ramble sometimes, and for a God who sends whatever grace and faith we need to understand others, and ourselves.
I’m so glad you got away from worries and concerns, and rested for the next round life may bring.
How exciting for your son! Congrats to him for such an accomplishment!
A big hug to you. I’m so glad the Lord ministered to you and gave you peace. I know the road to that was very difficult.
Somehow I missed this post, Laurel. I just wanted to say it’s good to have you back and I’m glad you’re feeling better. I think we all go through this from time to time, the feeling of being overwhelmed. Glad the books you read helped you put it all into perspective.
And good job on the reading test – congratulations to him!
Thanking God for your blessing!
I was praying
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