Looking Back to Move Forward

I've always found being a mother a difficult gig, but having two kids out of the house has proven to be the most challenging stage yet. I worry about them. I worry about their futures. I worry about the mistakes they'll make and the consequences they'll suffer and the pain they will undoubtedly face, as we all do. Frankly, I stress about how they'll get along financially. How will they be able to support themselves?

I worry because we've been there. For the first fifteen years of our marriage, money was extremely tight. We lived off of one income and paid off student loan debt. We had no savings account, no extra money whatsoever. I know what it is to struggle financially. I understand their lives won't be perfect and experience taught me it's a blessing. For when things are rough, we seek God in ways we wouldn't otherwise. We learn to rely on Him, not our money. It's good, and if part of His plan for their lives, will work toward their best, but yowsa, it's hard on a mama's heart.

This week God answered my prayers through some old pictures. As I look at these, money doesn't even enter my mind. Though these years were tough financially, look how incredibly rich we were.

Old t-shirts for pajamas don't take away from these precious smiles and beautiful eyes.

Who cares about the decrepit garage in the background with those rosy little cheeks staring your way?

It takes so little to make 'em happy.

Goofy antics of kids have always kept our home furnished with laughs.

I have no idea what they're doing, but it sure makes me smile.

The ugly backsplash on the tub pales in comparison to these little heads.

A happy little family at Christmas, one of dozens of family pictures taken at their favorite time of year.

These pictures remind me who He is. He has always taken care of us and surely won't abandon our children now. Why should I worry? I need only look back to stacks of photographs like these to remember. He has always been there. He has met our needs in remarkable ways our children experienced first hand. If they seek Him as we have, won't He do the same for them?

Be at rest once more, O my soul, for the Lord has been good to you.

Psalm 116:7

Oh yes, be at rest my soul. The Lord has been VERY good to us. The pictures prove it.



Thank You, Lord.