Oh Summer…Where Art Thou?

Our household missed it. From April to mid-August, we missed way too much summer. Somewhere between medical emergencies, a life flight, month long hospital stays and indoor home rehab schedule, summers almost gone. In our case, my wife and I are caregivers to a physically handicapped daughter with a very bright mind. So, what’s your excuse if you were indoors most of the time like us? Maybe you didn’t realize you missed it? The picture below sums up many an existence, I hope not yours symbolically.

We are home now.

My texts to family and friends, on arriving at home and assessing our home place: “well, we are home after 28 days bedside. The mice have moved in, the deck flowers are dead, not sure if there is a garden under the weeds, both lawn mowers are now broke, the home generator tried its weekly test with a big clunk and quit, and our heat pump attached to the furnace is shot. BUT, who cares…Our girl is home

I’m not sure what it takes for most people to find out what is important in life. What we did find out was that we are among the wealthiest people on the planet if relationships count as currency.

We came back to the old double wide my parents placed in the woods. We are just grateful for a nice bed, good views of nature out the window and all the friends and family who took care of all our needs. Some we have never met face to face.

If you ask me, as many others have asked, “Gary, what is the secret at being so good at life when so many bad things have happened?” My wife and I have never changed our answer. We know it is because we have kept a personal-relational-trust-walk with God all these years. The long-term fruit of that kind of foundational relationship is relational wealth with others. It’s also generational. Our kids, on their own, walk with God. Please don’t confuse what I am saying with being religious…That’s a box we seriously don’t fit into very well. Neither did Jesus.

Our son just stood in front of his church for the first time teaching. More relational fruit…He is a computer guy but asked to share some of who he is. I would tell you more about our kids and how much we value one another, but I would just blubber… Hear for yourself from the next generation. Click here…worth the listen

By the way, our real wealth will last forever. Our daughter will not need our care. I will also meet some of you who have helped us through this season. Thank You

Gary

PS…do click on that link. Like most of us, the first 50 words will determine if you listen on or it’s not for you. Ya, I know us humans.

Published by Gary Fultz

Outdoors Man, Hunter, Fisherman, Guide, Writer / Author, Photographer, Public Speaker, Musician, Song Writer, Story Teller, Follower Of Jesus. Love God and family and total strangers

115 thoughts on “Oh Summer…Where Art Thou?

  1. Yes! I asked your daughter the same question several times since June: When does Summer start? And now that it’s almost September, it seems that it’s gonna skip us this year. Glad that Tania’s back home now, and glad that Nique got to spend so much time with her Grandma and Grandpa. She’ll remember this Summer forever – and despite some dark days and close calls, I think it’ll be a very positive memory that she’ll always have. I’m grateful that she has grandparents who are still young and vibrant and generous enough to share this time with her.

    Ron

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    1. Nique was such a bright light in a wild and too fast summer…We are so grateful for her. She left her mark on quite a few people up here. We will sure remember the time and tasks spent together. I reread my post which made it sound like we were away every day of the summer. I looked at the Calander. Except for the last 11 days of her stay, we were here, drove back and forth to North Dakota daily and still said hi and bye. She threaded the needle of time between hospital adventures. The garden sure missed her all of August. I doubt she missed the garden much though.

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    1. Some of our roads get quite tough don’t they. Bittersweet is a very descriptive word. Your very name Joy is descriptive when standing on God’s promises no matter what life brings. We know what happens next. No one can take that away.

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  2. Gary, your posts always touch my heart. I will pray for your daughter and all of you. I hope this Fall will be a better time for you. And I have to ask – did you know your son was fiddling with your morning Bible pages?

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  3. Your son is a natural speaker, Gary. He’s good at clarifying what he gleans from scripture-maybe that’s his computer geekiness shining through. I have no good reason why my summer flew by like yours, but I blinked and it’s almost September. Praise the Lord for your daughter’s recovery. 🙂

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    1. Thanks Nancy. Tim will appreciate that feedback until he is asked to speak again. Yes, the summer flew by for us as well when we were able to get outside. However, the inside the hospitals part of our summer was a rerun every day and August lasted years.

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    1. What a truth Alan. We are either growing or dying, but sometimes it “feels like” we are dying what God is using to grow us. We are very blessed. In between hospitalizations, one of our Granddaughters in college came up to stay with us, help us with our daughter and garden and lawns. Wonderful. We sure miss her as she had to be back end of July…Too bad the grass and garden weeds still grow in august.

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  4. Wow, Gary. I just don’t have the words to express the depth of the heart. So, if you don’t mind, I will just sit here with you for a spell and listen to the silence.

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  5. A father’s open Bible left on a table was used by our Father to lead a young son to a discover a relationship with God and someday powerfully share His Gospel with others from the pulpit. How proud you must be of him Gary.

    Your unwavering faith in trusting Him in your precious daughter’s life continues to spread the Gospel and His love in ways so totally different than Tim’s message.

    We will never fully comprehend how God uses both joy and sorrow to spread Salvation’s message, but your trust in Him as you and your wife loving care for your precious daughter will bless many, as it has me. Thank you brother. You, your wife, daughter and family remain in my prayers for God’s will to be accomplished in His time for His glory.

    PS – If you haven’t read it, Dr. James Dobson’s book, When God Doesn’t Make Sense is an encouraging read in times of life’s trials.

    Be Blessed Gary

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    1. Thanks Fred

      I have read Dobsons book and some others that have helped my perspective as well as encourage. Who knew my sloppy habits on leaving my bible at the table would be in a sons faith tapestry. For our oldest daughter, she would sneak peek my journal. Something sneaky genetic there. Must be my wife’s side. I have given up on second guessing God and his out of the box ways

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  6. I echo each of the comments above, Gary – your son is a powerful vessel for God to speak through. Your heart deserves to be full!

    I just thought I would share that it is snowing here in NW Montana. Summer is indeed fleeting – but I truly believe you had summer in your heart. Besides, autumn is the best season of all. I know with Tania home and your relationship knitted even closer – it will be for you too.

    God’s peace to you!

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    1. Wow Erika, snow. I’m not ready. We are much lower on elevation. Just keep that snow handy until…um January? Yes, fall is my best season…Many apples to harvest as well as grouse and deer. I found some beans and a couple onions among the garden weeds. Things are looking up. Tania just gave me a hug…I cherish those.

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  7. hear you Gary. My life’s front windshield is fogged and cracked, but the rearview mirror is clear.

    After decades of trying to ‘help God out’ with my out-of-the-box plans, I finally realized I wasn’t that smart. Reliquishing my pride for trust in Him and His oft ‘confusing’, but ever perfect Spirit led plans, my life changed dramatically better with a “…peace that passeth all understanding…”

    My old German grandmother’s words of reprimand when I misbehaved as a child (often😊) ever echo in my mind … “Freddy, you’re too soon old and too late smart!”

    Be Blessed brother, and …

    Keep Looking Up ^ . . . His Best is

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  8. Good morning Gary, thank you so much for sharing your heart with us in the midst of your trials. There is nothing like trials to teach you what really matters, and to draw you closer to God. We are dealing with my wife’s cancer journey at present which is constantly showing us more of God’s grace. Your son did an amazing job! I watched and was blessed by the whole message, I know a brother who needs to see this too. Thank you Gary; may our Father God continue to guide and bless you today brother 🙏

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    1. Thanks so much for your encouragement, Alan. You know the depths of trial in your wife’s cancer journey, and you are walking it together with the Lord leading. My son rejoices that he didn’t labor in vain…

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  9. We are among the wealthiest people on the planet if relationships count as currency.

    Thanks for that reminder Gary. The upside-down nature of faith puts everything into perspective. And yes – your son does speak well. Thanks.

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    1. I have often marveled at how opposite our perceptions (upside down) are of God’s and his ways and means so opposing to our thinking. The “Love God and Love your neighbor more than yourself” line is not very long.

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  10. It sounds like a long trying Summer for you and your family Gary. I’m a little fuzzy on all the details, but I know what it is to have the Lord lead us along a dim and sometimes muddy path as we walked with daughter-in-law through her final months this Summer. There is a lot on this path I don’t understand, and not much of it that I liked at all, but I do know that God has been faithful to be with us and offering us His strength and grace day by day. Yes, those hugs are precious! Blessings my brother.

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    1. Thanks Pete. Your family has been through so much. I have thought so many times how our life’s path, even in the best of times is by nature one step ahead at a time visually, thus by nature, treacherous. In my wilderness canoeing and portaging adventures, we always arrive at the next lake. That breakthrough moment of seeing the most beautiful lake at the end of the trail, is so symbolic for me as I imagine life’s final step and I shed the mortal for the immortal. I put my pack and canoe down with a rush of relief…Those of us who know Jesus will all experience it…I have oft described this feeling to our daughter…there is a light in her imagining eyes.

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  11. Glad you are home Gary. I shall listen to your son’s message. Summer has passed the UK by completely this year. But my mower still works and is fine for our small garden. I don’t have a generator to worry about, or mice (although our Yorkshire Terrier did catch one in our shed a few years ago).

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      1. We’re OK thank you Gary. This time of year is always a bit busy as family come and go, and we get tired! I guess it’s a bit like running a small hotel!

        Dad is finding things a little tougher since his stroke at Easter. He is still living on his own and getting about despite everything, but gets lonely – it’s over four years now since Mum passed on. We’re taking Dad back to Guernsey for a few days in September, which he is looking forward to.

        I listened to your son preach – he was good. What was the last thing God told me to do (with periodic reminders)? To be still. Please thank Tim for his reminder.

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  12. I love that you extend the beauty of your relationships out to the blogsphere, Gary. I’m sorry for the missed summer but glad that your girl is okay and you are back home. My dad used to say what you describe above as “if your vertical relationship is in good order, it helps with all your horizontal relationships.”

    Tim is a gifted communicator. I can see how he got that from his dad!

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    1. Thanks Wynn. Our Fathers were alike. My dad often referenced the vertical relationship with God. It’s such a true analogy. We, as grandparents, admire our son and his wife at their patient and persistent relational approach to their three boys. Sometimes those boys do their best to be transactional rather than relational. Now there’s a parenting book, navigating parenting.

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  13. As always, you speak truth in the midst of trials. I prayed for you and your family after reading your post. We may never meet in this life, and I suppose it is unlikely at best. But I look forward to eternity with you and the Savior!

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    1. Thankyou Wayne. I know we will meet sometime or beyond time. Yes, looking forward to it. I also want to thank you for wise advice in the finance world…You have God’s perspectives in mind first

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  14. First of all, praise Jesus you and your wife are now home with your daughter. God truly sustains us in the midst of all trials and I know you are fully aware of that. Secondly, oh my, what wise and wonderful words the Spirit gave your son! Thank you for sharing the link to his message. You are allowed to blubber about your relationships with your kids, by the way. Next, I can’t tell you how much I agree with your statement about the “religious” box. I am not in that box either. When asked if I’m religious, I choose to say I am faith-filled because of my relationship with my Savior. May you and your family and all your relationships be blessed.

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    1. Thank you so much. Somehow religious and relationship do get in each other’s way. Love and the “one another’s” do go together, but very sacrificially. It’s tough in a “me first” culture.

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  15. Thank you, Gary, for your update and for your perspective. I had tears as I read this today. Yes, we are so incredibly blessed by our loving relationships with God and with one another. Bless you so.

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    1. Okay, I just finished watching your son’s powerful message. Thank you! And I smiled to see the Skit Guys–I used their videos quite often when I was a youth director.

      I love his words on obedience, and I was thinking about how much I want to please the ones who love me (like God does), more than the ones who are demanding, relentless, mean, or unforgiving. And although I don’t think that God orchestrates bad or challenging experiences to teach us lessons, I do truly believe God helps us through the difficulties that come our way in this life. I feel God’s presence so closely in my most difficult days. God makes good of everything.

      Thank you again, Gary! Take care.

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      1. I too enjoy the skit guys. I was glad Tim used a part of the skit well rather than the full version.

        His masterpiece…much to mull over as befitting my own life and circumstances.

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    2. Thank you, Karen. I have recognized that sometimes blessings journey through a lot of pain to be realized by ourselves and others. It’s a bit like praying for patience. When someone signs of with “blessings to you” I sometimes shudder…then smile.

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  16. Wooow, what a powerful message from your son! Thank you for sharing that, and I have someone in mind to share it with.

    God’s blessings in our lives don’t always look appealing; but He gives His people eyes to see them for what they are. Thank you for sharing your vision. Your joy in your family shines.

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  17. What a moving post, Gary. It touches me deep in my heart. Relationship and priorities… Greetings from Africa, with summer slowly approaching, although there’s rare snow on Cape Town’s world famous Table Mountain. Jesus brings it all together.

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    1. Yes, Erroll, Jesus does bring it all together…someday I would like to experience summer someplace when it is winter where I live. I have been on cold mountains when it’s warm in the valley…a strange experience.

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  18. Wishing you blessings as your daughter continues to recover at home. How wonderful that you are all back home together. God is good. He is always good. I did listen to the video of your son. It brought tears to my eyes. He did a beautiful job! God bless your family in these late-summer days. Autumn will be here soon, and it is an amazing season…leaves changing color, the world quieting down before winter.

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    1. Thank you, Linda. All of us home is quite a blessing. I didn’t know if it would be that outcome this time. I hope to deeply enjoy the end of Summer and Autumn. We don’t get to get out much yet but every day she is doing better. Tim did an amazing job of teaching. I’m just glad no one ever recorded me until later in life…I am getting camera ready, fishing ready and hoping to find some more garden produce under the weeds.

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      1. It all sounds wonderful! God bless you and your family. Often, it is among those garden weeds that we find some beautiful things growing! Either way, with your camera, you will find awesome discoveries in these late summer days. Looking forward to seeing your bounty! Keeping your daughter in my prayers…

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  19. There was no drought of faith in your summer. Words can’t express how I feel about the Fultz’ family. I’m so happy you are all home together. Undoubtedly, you’re the richest people I know. You continue to harvest hope, even when the conditions aren’t suitable. There’s not a day that I don’t think of you all, or lift you to our Heavenly Papa in prayer. I’m so glad you’re all home together. The healing road isn’t easy, but your family already knows what matters most. It gives me great comfort, too, Gary. May the end of this summer and the beginning of the amazing Autumn bring another harvest of healing, dear friends. Love in Christ, Karla

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  20. Gary, thank you for sharing your “wealth” with the world here on WP. I rejoice with you and your wife that Tania is back home and pray for continued healing. Wow, does your son, preach/teach well!
    Thanks, Tim, for stepping into your discomfort and submitting. The glory of God shone through.

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    1. Thank you for your encouragement Manette. If only the Word Press people knew how much God uses their platform. The word has gone to several countries already and sharing is happening. Saying “yes” to being uncomfortable…Jesus disciples do things like that and have from day 1.

      I will say thanks from Tim…

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  21. Thanks Gary. I’m glad your daughter is back home and the ordeal is over. A parent’s love knows no bounds. You and your wife are modeling very well what the Lord’s children mean to Him. It is sometimes hard to understand such profound love but much easier when one considers the heart of the matter which is the heart of the matter.

    The Lord’s early Community in Jerusalem, His very first local Community after Pentecost, modeled this love perfectly in that they all looked after one another and were willing to walk the second mile, give their extra for those who lacked, and loved unconditionally as one truly preferred one’s brother or sister and looked for opportunities to give and serve.

    One will notice collected funds went directly to the people in need. No middlemen became enriched or took a percentage. One thinks of all the funds the apostle Paul collected primarily from Gentiles far away to help those in Jerusalem, primarily Israelites, during that terrible famine in the 40s AD. So many people had given sacrificially to help those in dire need. Again, this accorded exactly per the teachings of the Lord.

    Any real Christian who has spent considerable years living for God has been both a receiver of assistance as well as a giver. Sometimes we need help and sometimes we are blessed to be the helper. Paul expressed this as well when he stated he had learned to live contentedly whether in abundance or sufficiency. He was blessed either way because He knew His Lord ruled the day and was His ever-present provider.

    Your daughter is in need of assistance and is most grateful for your help I am sure but I am just as sure that she balances the transaction with her own great love extended to her parents and all around her and by the things she does so well that no one else can do or will do. I don’t think I am wrong in saying that she is undoubtedly a very special joy giver and enricher of many lives. It is good that she is well enough again to be back home where she belongs and is most comfortable.

    I watched your son’s message in its entirety and was blessed. I can see hints of him in you. He truly did a very good job and was most natural in his delivery. Of course, he left me hanging on one particular issue. Let me explain. Many years ago as a professional carpenter, in a new area of the state, I did one of many fence jobs I happened to be doing at that time just to have work. It was early spring. I had to tear down the old wooden fence and build a substantial upgrade. One section of the fence had some old dry shrubby vines on it. I had no idea what they were and simply took them all down with the fencing to haul off (wearing a work t-shirt and proceeding to scratch my arms up). In a day or so I soon discovered that the benign vines were actually poison sumac to which I am highly allergic as with poison ivy, etc. I’ll spare you the details but it took weeks and finally a doctor’s visit and a shot to clear it up.

    So the question remains: What happened to your grandson regarding the poison ivy? As far as I’m concerned, that was the biggest test and whatever else he had to accomplish and go through was gravy.

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    1. Thanks RJ, we are in recovering mode, probably for a while physically. Our daughter lost her arm functions and cannot feed herself yet. 28 days without getting out of bed and life-threatening sodium levels. WE are taking better care of her than the hospital can short staffed terribly (another day’s topic). Home nursing and therapy is coming to the house once a week to monitor. She is recovering well and so are we.

      As to the poison ivy question…Neither my son or his son got poison ivy. Very strange as they are both allergic. They washed off in the lake at the end of the trail…I suspect they dipped 7 times.

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  22. Your post reminded me of a song a woman once just began singing–loudly but gently–in one of our services many years go, to no music. We didn’t know her, but she sang it beautifully, and the song’s simple message resonated with me. It goes,

    “Its’s summer time in my heart; it’s summer time in my heart

    Since Jesus saved me, I know He’ll raise me.

    When it’s winter, it’s summer in my heart.”

    🙂 🙂 🙂

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  23. I didn’t listen to the video yet, but I promise to go back to it. I’m sorry for all that you have been dealing with. But I do know what you mean – when tough things in life hit us, we see more clearly what is most important. My family has also been walking through some difficulties. And it changes your perspective. You and your family are in my prayers.

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    1. Thanks Ann. We have a little bit of warm weather left before snow comes. The forever home has a very nice ring to it. We are are not rushing the gate in our pajamas quite yet but there are no bags to pack or let go of

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  24. Gary, your words touched my heart. Our summer, too, took quite the turn this year. One thing God showed me, though, is that so many are finding their home in the middle of suffering. You expressed this so eloquently. How gracious God has been to carry us through these times. I am so glad that you are home for fall and that your girl is with you. Prayers for you all.

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    1. Thanks Stacy

      It’s a good thing to realize that God and our life here are two separate entities, and God is the only one who can and does crossover into our space and lives with eternity as a backdrop to All he does in and around our lives in a messed-up world. He is not the God of this world, but He can be the God of my life.

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  25. Joy, I’ll always remember when your dad introduced us. I wrote a piece with your name in the title and he told me he read it to you. You’ve been an inspiration to me ever since. I’m praying for you and sending love to you and your family.
    P.S. I love your brother’s Psalm 19 message. Aren’t brothers great?! I miss mine but I know I’ll see him again one day! ❤️

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  26. I hope to come back and listen to the rest of his teaching. So far, it was good. You and your family are in my prayers. Thankful to know your daughter is home. May you all enjoy some peace, rest, and continued strength.

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  27. Just finished listening to your son’s teaching. So good! Glad I clicked. One of my teenagers happened to be in the room doing her Algebra homework and kept pausing to comment on what was being said. For this teen to have been listening is a huge blessing. My prayer for her this year is that she’ll fall deeper in love with Jesus.

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  28. That was an amazing video. I’m pressed for time so I almost didn’t watch it. I’m glad I did. I’m sorry you’ve had such a rough time, but you have an amazing outlook. God is obviously working in your life.

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    1. Thanks Mary. It would be easy to just be sad when life throws hard things. God seems to use our pain in ways we end up saying (possibly way later…like in eternity) “it’s worth it”. However, at the time it’s easy to not be able to see past our pain. So we set our sights on trust. we trust God no matter what.

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  29. “What we did find out was that we are among the wealthiest people on the planet if relationships count as currency.” 🌺

    Thankyou fr the share, Gary. Am blessed here, just reading. Can sense His presence in your home, lovely family, and the billion angels around. Will get back in here and listen to the link. Y’all remind me of Psalm126

    & a Lighthouse from Him.

    We’re in a dark time, earth, like never before. I’m guessing our “trouble” is a set up, a space thru which our vulnerability leaning on Him, is heaven’s outpour into our community.✨

    Hope this makes sense.

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    1. Thank you…Oh, it makes a lot of sense Rayla. God sure knows how to leverage our troubles and pain for his good. We run the race through light and dark places. Sometimes even hobbling with a small candle. Even the smallest light in the dark seems bright.

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      1. “..hobbling with a small candle…” 📌
        At home here, we know that feeling, and His strength so clear.

        Here, you too have prayed fr our son. Psychiatry said not to expect his emotions to return. Years n years of praying fr his eyes to heal. Then the seizures n aggression, violence. Our v quiet home, rocked with flying glass, the girls traumatized. No amt of med intervention helped. The prayers of Gods ppl held Noe n me up. The girls grew strong, more compassionate. We’re seeing change, one touch at a time, one precious emotion slowly unfurl. Its taken its toll on N&my health, but inside the breaking, His Touch so strong. Like being attached to Life Support. Worth it all. Hang in there our dear Brother. This Life is precious cuz He’s talking to someone thru our day🍃
        Don’t mean to sound preachy. So value yr presence and the sacred support that shows thru.
        Do have a beautiful day, warmest hugs to yr beautiful daughter and wife. 🙏🏼

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    2. I take courage as there is a time stamp on our shaping through the fire, knowing we cannot out-suffer Jesus’ pain to rescue us. when we change clothes from mortal to immortal, that dressing rooms going to reveal to a “knowing” way beyond…

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    1. Thanks Anna. God forges us for what he asks of us. I believe that strongly. God uses some people mightily (in our eyes) and others are but a whisper in this world, but the world needs a whole lot of whispers doesn’t it.

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  30. I love stopping by your little niche of the internet here. After reading through some of your heartfelt words, or taking the time to look at some of the beautiful photos you share, I always end up with less weight on my shoulders and more hope in my heart.

    Though I’ve got a very different set of life experiences to look back on than you, my answer to getting through some of the toughest parts would be the same: walking close to and being aware of God being present with me through it all.

    I pray that God’s presence continues to fill you with what you need. 🙏

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