It's been a tough week - the state of the economy is scary and it seems like we've had to deal with it in a weird way...Charlotte and the surrounding areas literally ran out of gas. I can't begin to explain the unnerving feeling that I experienced this week as I witnessed lines that literally were 60 + cars long waiting to get gas at the only gas station in that area of the city that had any gas and the frustration of dealing with two cars that are on empty and knowing we can't get gas because none of the eight or nine gas stations in the area have any. I know that people all over the nation are dealing with far worse. In the grand scheme of things, this really isn't a huge deal. However, this week, it feels like a big deal. The wonderful news is that in the midst of it all, God cares. I've never been one to forget God when things are going well. I recognize all good things come from God and that I am incredibly blessed. To be honest, (and more open than I am usually willing to be on a blog), I struggle more with knowing God has a great plan for our lives when times are tough. Wednesday night the pressure became too much for me to handle and I got upset...very upset. I felt more scared at that moment than I have in a long time. I tossed and turned a large portion of the night, but somewhere during that time, God spoke to me...or perhaps I finally listened. Scriptures, last Sunday's sermon and the following song came to my mind:
I have a Maker,
He formed my heart
And before even time began
My life was in His hands
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And hears me when I call
I have a Father
He calls me His own
And He'll never leave me
No matter where I go
He knows my name
He knows my every thought
He sees each tear that falls
And hears me when I call
That's such an incredible reminder of God's grace. We have an assurance that God will not forsake us...times may get tougher and the economy may crumble before our eyes, but Psalm 139:17 & 18 says, "How precious also are your thoughts to me, O God! How great is the sum of them! If I should count them, they would be more in number than the sand!" God thinks wonderful thoughts about us and thinks about us ALL the time! Think about it, His thoughts about each of us are more in number than every single grain of sand on the earth...can you even imagine how many grains of sand there are? Never feel like you've been forgotten for even a moment...He loves us too much! :)
And, yes, regardless of the gas shortage...we do still love Charlotte and our lives! :)
We hope all is well with everyone and that you are enjoying the beginning of the fall season! Be sure to watch a Hokie football game sometime this season! :)
