---FALLING INTO GRACE ~~

"He [Jesus] said to them, "Why are you afraid? Have you still no faith?"
---(Mark 4:40 / NRSV) --

~~~I kept my eyes closed for a moment after waking. I wanted to savor the feeling of thankfulness. God had been healing me, and I had been learning to live with the changes and continuing pain from my fall. The journey since my broken collarbone and cracked rib led my husband, Charlie, and me to put our condominium on the market. We were better at trusting God and had accepted an offer for the purchase price, a blessing in our recession-struck city. Today, I felt a moment of bliss.

Then Charlie walked into the room. "The buyer pulled out."
"Oh, No!" I closed my eyes and howled in sadness and frustration. I could see the future we thought God had provided us collapsing into one big mess. Another fall. Another mistake. Another accident. The doubts and depressing thoughts overwhelmed me. I was tired of trying to think positive. What did God want from me? What was I suppose to learn from this?

I opened my eyes and saw Charlie seated on the edge of the bed, head in hands, his back to me.

Abruptly, the packed boxes, the vision of Christmas in the gleaming new apartment, my self-pity were all swept away. This man, who had done so much for me, loved me through everything, was hurting as much as---maybe even more than---I was. He counted on my faith to strengthen his.

I wrapped my arms around Charlie. "It's Thanksgiving time. We're together. And I can hug you with both arms. Who knows what God has planned for us next year?!" ~~

~~"In everything give thanks, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus." ~~ (1 Thessalonians 5: 18)

--"LORD God, when it rains, it pours. Please remind me that this part of Your plan. I trust your sovereignty in all areas of my life. Thank You, Lord, for carrying us through whatever you bring in our life. In Jesus Name. amen~"
~~Daily Guideposts/MA
---"Listen To Our Hearts"/ Casting Crowns // <https://youtu.be/LxqHo2Pvfm0>
~~~~~~~