We are back from the beach, and it was a relaxing and beautiful week. We all needed this week to get reconnected and shake off the last two months, which have been hard on us all. Except for Michelle, I think we all came back a few pounds heavier from Woody's malts. We did give it a good effort to work off the pounds by riding bikes and playing volleyball.
This morning I read Psalm 77, and it was a perfect chapter to sum up how I felt this year as compared to last year at the beach. Last year, I was very fragile physically and emotionally. The surgery on my neck , to take out my C5 vertebrae that was destroyed by cancer, was on May 30th and I was just starting to go without my neck brace. I was very emotional and unsure of what the next year would hold. I would watch Jon and the girls ride away on their bikes and I would cry because it felt like I was already slipping away from them. I could not even begin to imagine how I would feel the next summer, or if there would be a next summer.
I cried out to god for help;
I cried out to God to hear me.
When I was in distress, I sought the Lord;
at night I stretched out untiring hands
and my soul refused to be comforted.
I remembered you, O God, and I groaned;
I mused, and my spirit grew faint.
You kept my eyes from closing;
I was too troubled to speak.
I though about the former days,
the years of long ago;
I remembered my songs in the night.
My heart mused and my spirit inquired:
Will the Lord reject forever?
Will he never show his favor again?
Has his unfailing love vanished forever?
Has his promise failed for all time?
Has God forgotten to be merciful?
Has he in anger withheld his compassion?
Psalm 77, verses 1-12
As I walked the beach with my Ipod, I would listen to music that would encourage me. My favorite song was, "I Will Praise You in the Storm", sung by the Casting Crowns. In the midst of the sound of crashing waves, I heard Him. I heard His voice. He said NO to all the above questions! He said, "Sandy, you can't imagine what you will see if you trust me to lead."
Your ways, O God, are holy.
What god is so great as our God?
You are the god who performs miracles;
you display your power among the peoples.
With your mighty arm you redeemed your people,
the descendants of Jacob and Joseph.
The waters saw you, O God,
the waters saw you and writhed,
the very depths were convulsed.
The clouds poured down water,
the skies resounded with thunder;
your arrows flashed back and forth.
Your thunder was heard in the whirlwind,
your lightning lit up the world;
the earth trembled and quaked.
Your path led through the sea,
your way through the mighty waters,
though your footprints were not seen.
Verses 13-19
God parted the sea for me this year! He has been faithful in every way possible! Not only has it been an incredible year of growth personally, but God has been gracious to let me see how He is working to call people to Him through HIS blog, and my family's faith. There is no possible way we could have all survived the way we have this past year without the great love of our almighty God!
This year at the beach house I did not feel one trace of cancer. In fact, I have to wonder if a miracle has happened and I have been healed! I rode bikes with my family. I rode eight miles one day with Rachel! We played volleyball just about every day in front of the beach house. I went in the water five times and braved the waves. When I compare last year to this year, it is like night and day!
This year, as I listened to my Ipod and looked out at the sea, my new song was "How Great is Our God". Again He spoke to me. He said, "Sandy, you can't even imagine what I have planned for you this year. Just keeping walking my path and continue to be amazed."
In His Love,
Sandy
