Trials

All my life I have watched as people walk through trials and deal with them. Some are quiet and pray, some are outspoken and weep, but each are different. This past week Jerrel and I walked through a trial with Jesse and I have learned what it means to rely on the the strength of the Lord. Trials do not have to be life threatening, but can be the ice pick that chips away at your very being. I have learned that being a parent means walking through the trials of life with your children and that when they hurt, you hurt. Jesse has such a strong spirit and this week I saw him broken. I never imagined that when I held Jesse in my arms for the first time that I would see that beautiful baby become a 14 year old that has to deal with the hurts and frustrations of this world. God has been faithful to walk us through this as parents and help us to learn what it means to train our children in the way that they should go. God has been faithful to help Jesse learn that all he should do should be done as unto the Lord, and the choices he makes will affect more than just him. God continues to be faithful and I am confident that without the trials of life we would not even begin to understand the faithfulness and goodness of our Lord.
We know that all our children will make choices that will cause trials, yet we welcome them because we know that the Lord is good to meet us right where we are. I am assured that God does not give us more that we can handle. So as the enemy throws things in our way to set us off course, I will praise the Lord. As my children hurt and have trials, I will praise the Lord. I will praise the Lord because He is worthy of my praise. It is through praise that I see the great work of my Savior and God. I have a thankful heart as I write this even though I hurt for the hurts of my child. I can do that only because I have faith in Christ!