In Others’ Words: Trust

“Know that even in the midst of your worst circumstances, you can be still and calm and at peace … because God’s got you.” ~Source Unknown

A monster of a wildfire forced my family from our home yesterday.

I typed this blog sitting in one of my “adopted daughter’s”* living room, safe, but oh so aware that homes were burning down. That heroic firefighters battled an out of control Waldo Canyon Wildfire threatening my neighborhood.

I packed a few more possessions into my Subaru Forester — family photos, my husband’s wooden rocker from when he was a little boy, my son’s artwork, a clay armadillo my daughter made. Yep. A clay armadillo. I’ve always loved that quirky object d’art. I admit to a few tears as I walked out the door, after my daughter Amy and I shared a hug and reminded each other, “It’s stuff. It’s stuff.”

As I drove across town — well, the car crawled across town because traffic was horrendous — I repeated this verse: This is the day that the Lord has made, I will rejoice and be glad in it.

Crazy, I know.

But my word for the year is Trust … and I’m clinging to that word even now. So what can I be glad about (or thankful for) in the midst of fire and smoke and ash the possibility my house may burn down?

I am thankful for each and every person who has and is praying for me and my family — and I am thankful for each and every prayer.
I am thankful that my family is safe. Everyone safe and accounted for, including Twister, our 12-year-old dachshund.
I am thankful for the heroes — the firefighters battling this beast — considering others more important than themselves.
I am thankful for a sense of humor. Sometimes you just have to laugh, even in the midst of a crisis. It’s better than crying. Or screaming. Or stomping my foot.
I am thankful for every single person who offered us a place to stay. Who texted us. Who emailed. Who commented on my Facebook page. Talk about feeling loved.
I am thankful that I know that I know that I know that God has not abandoned me and my family. He hasn’t lost track of us. Nothing can separate us from him … and we’re gonna trust him through this.
I am thankful that my family is safe. Yes, I said this twice. But I am. I really am.

In Your Words: What are you thankful for today?

( Our family motto is “There’s always room for one more.” We have “adopted” a couple of our kids’ friends through the years.)