Where is God?

Where is God when bad things happen to people? I have a nephew, Jeremy, with ALS, and a sister-in-law, Mandi, who is 7 months pregnant with a child that has a genetic disorder that is "incompatible with life." Where is God? He is right where He has always been, at our side and in control!!



I'm sure most of you watched the Extreme Home Makeover Show. I read a follow up article on Jeremy and how he was dissappointed at the fact that they didn't mention his faith. In the "comments" section, following the article, a guy named Fred led a discussion about how "irrational" and "mindless" we are to believe in a God who lets these things happen. The anger, vulgarity, and bitterness in his comments were disturbing and sad.



I don't know what each person who reads this blog believes about who God is but I do want others to know who I KNOW He is. He is the God who I asked to come into my heart and be the boss of my life at 8 years old. He is the God who has brought me through numerous difficulties in my life. He is the God who has given me more blessings than I could ever count. He is the God who sustains me and gives me a hope and a purpose. I don't know much, but I know that there is not anything that can happen to me that my God and I can't handle.



It would be easy for Jeremy and Mandi to be angry towards God for their circumstances, but they are not. They are champions for Christ!! They understand that God is in control and that He loves us so much more than we could ever imagine. I don't pretend to know the struggles they face, but I do know their God and I know that He is good.



God is good and that is why He sent Jesus to die on a cross for our sins. Jesus is coming back and I pray that Fred and anyone reading this blog that doesn't know Jesus will seek Him.



P.S. You can follow Mandi's story at www.dmsshadley.blogspot.com

A Mother's Thankfulness

For two weeks I have been listening to the sounds of sniffling, sneezing, and coughing. I've heard complaints of sore throats, headaches, earaches, and tiredness. I've fed them chicken soup, given them Robitussin, and covered their feet with Vicks VapoRub (grandmother swears by it). I've sat beside beds at night, wiped noses, and held them. Yesterday, I finally had to take them to the doctor. Both had sinus infections and Skye's ears were infected.

As I sat in the doctor's office I looked around at all the tired faces of the mothers there with their sick children and I started thinking of the things my mother did for me as a child, especially when I was sick. I believe some of the "treatments" I received are illegal now or at least have been proven to be ineffective. For example, I don't think horse liniment cures every ailment and the "recipe" we drank stopped coughing for a reason and probably killed a few brain cells in the process. But, back to the main point, I never knew how much my mother loved me and sacrificed for me until I had children of my own. As we approach Thanksgiving one of the things I'm most thankful for is my mother. My mother is my coach, my cheerleader, my mentor, and my friend. Thank you mom for all your love and patience over the years. I love you dearly and am proud to call you mom.

I'm Home!!

This is my first attempt at blogging. I hope to share with you my deepest thoughts. I know, that's scary. Anyhow, my first thought is about being home.
After being gone for three days it sure feels good to be home. Home has always been my favorite place. The first home I remember was at Pine Lake in Whitesville, GA. Most of my favorite memories are from my home on the farm in Durand, GA. I've lived in several other places around Pine Mountain, but the house I lived in was not what made it a home. It was my family that made each of these places home.
My home was a place where my dad and mom loved me and my siblings. It was a place where we were taught to love Jesus first, others second, and ourselves last. We were taught to be obedient and respectful to our elders and our country. We were taught the value of hard work, perseverance, and self-control. We were taught to use good manners, clean up after ourselves, and be considerate of others.
Today, I have my own home and it is still my favorite place. My home is filled with love and I strive to teach my children the same things my dad and mom taught me. I wish everyone had a home like mine. My home is a place of peace and shelter from the madness of the world. It is a place I can always come to and feel loved and accepted for who I am. I love my home and the family that lives in it.