This month–the month of June 2020, we experienced three life griping events: my mother-in-law passed away, our third grandchild was born and we celebrated the birthday of our departed son.

All this intermingling of grief and joy and exhaustion, has brought me to a place, I’ve been before, but do not care to visit often. It is the place where I am at the end of myself, and am crying out to God to, “HELP!” In this place, I am vulnerable to sickness of the body and the mind. Negative thoughts assail me, viruses take hold of my body, and I have no strength to fight.

When this happens, I cry out to God. I tell Him what He already knows–that I need “Help!” We have been told that God helps those who help themselves. We have been told a lie. God helps those who can not help themselves. God is near to the broken hearted. God hears our cries! God answers us and saves us!!

That is what I wanted to share. I have been crying out, “Help!!” and God has been answering me. He has answered through friends and family who have reached out to us. He has answered through the enabling power of the Holy Spirit. He has answered through the timely messages of scripture. He has answered in whispers of love and encouragement. Sometimes, I don’t hear His answers–and then I cry out to God to give me ears to hear.

So I write to encourage you, if you are in the same place, or even if you are not–you can cry out to God, and He will answer. He will answer.

“So then, since we have a great High Priest who has entered heaven, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we believe. This High Priest of ours understands our weaknesses, for He faced all of the same testings we do, yet He did not sin. So let us come boldly to the throne of our gracious God. There we will receive His mercy, and we will find grace to help us when we need it most.” Hebrews 4: 14-16

So Be Encouraged!!

***Picture was taken in 1997. My father-in-law and mother-in-law holding baby Sean.