Difficult Times

This past week has been very difficult for a couple people that I love very much. The first is my sister-in-law and her husband. Last Wednesday they welcomed their second child, a beautiful baby boy. Thursday when they were supposed to be discharged from the hospital and take him home they found instead he needed to be admitted to the NICU. He is doing much better, but he still remains there and unable to go home for a few more days at least. The only thing I can do is pray. Pray for my newest nephew to heal quickly, pray for strength for his parents, and pray for the doctors and nurses who are caring for him. I believe this is helping him, as does my sister-in-law. Every prayer helps him to heal.

The second person is one of my best friends. Saturday was supposed to be the happiest day of her life thus far, her wedding day. Heartbreakingly, her fiancé called off the wedding last Wednesday. I sat on the phone with her telling me what happened in utter disbelief. I did not know what to say to her. What do you say to someone whose whole word was just flipped upside down? I’ve been through bad break-ups before where I felt like the world had ended, but that’s not even comparable to this. I told her God has a plan, even if she can’t see or understand now, and she agreed. She knows God will help her through this and has a better plan for her life, but right now, it’s hard to stay focused on that. Again, all I can do is pray. Pray that God is with her, that He helps her through this.

Difficult times, whether my own or someone I love, allow me to become even closer to God. I am so very thankful for that relationship. I am thankful that I know Him and believe that He is always there. When I feel helpless, when there is nothing I can say or do to heal someone’s pain, I know He can. When I’m in pain I know He’s with me. Right next to our front door, we have a frame with a quote that says, “When you see only one set of footprints in the sand, it was then that He carried you.” I know this is true. I believe He carried me through my dad’s 14-month deployment. That is the most difficult thing I have ever gone through and although it was only six years ago I barely remember it. This last Christmas I was trying to remember the Christmas we had when my dad was in Iraq and I can’t, it’s like he never left. Someday my sister-in-law and friend will know that feeling. For now, I pray for them to get through one day at a time.