Today - In History

This semester at Co-Op, I'm teaching a class on Current Events and World Geography. We usually start our class with a trivia session I call: "On this day in History..." It's always interesting and recalling these events about inventions, wars, speeches, etc. has surprised even me.

Today is one of those days for me. "On this day in (Frederick!) History...."

Three years ago today, we welcomed our first daughter-in-law into the family. I can't describe how happy that day was for Dan and I, let alone Funnel and Jen! I remember so many small details of that day...my girls getting ready in their bridesmaids dresses, our guests (family and friends) from out of state and our conversations, the way Dan looked in his suit (so handsome! that buddy of mine!), the beauty of the old church in which they married, the coolness and absurdity of the snow storm that day, the "Tigers" game being played just around the corner (the people of Massilon are sports enthusiasts, to say the least!), my nervousness over whether I would trip when it was my turn to light the candle, my mental images of Caleb and Amy getting married in six short months (they had become engaged the previous weekend!), visiting with Jen's Mom and Dad, praying Jen's grandparents would arrive safely, seeing the grin that would NOT leave Nathanael's face, and then...looking at Jen for the first time in her wedding gown. (she never looked more beautiful). I can recall these and other images of that day with absolute clarity, as this flood of memories swirls around my heart and head today! As Mary, the mother of our Lord, is recorded as doing: I treasured all these things and pondered them in my heart.

Seven years ago today, I began a journal to record some of the ways the Lord was caring for our family during our difficult trials. In my way of thinking then, I thought it would be a short journal. You know...God is going to rescue us from this situation, any day now! Wrong. It became the most lengthy thing I have written. It has become one of the most treasured possessions that I own. I began it with these words:
"It is hard to put into words the many thoughts in the heart! But fall short as they may, they chronicle our days; the joys and pains, the simple and complex events that comprise our days...It has long been a desire of Dan and I to journal events in our lives that have brought us a new awareness of God's presence in our everyday lives. The way He cares for us, provides for our needs ~ even the people He uses to bless us! (and how many there have been!) Each event and person is so special to us, that we want to pass these stories on to our children: (thus far: Nathanael, Caleb, Zachery, Seth, Micah, Danielle, Jon-Mark and Michaela).
We want to never forget God's goodness! It brings joy to our hearts each time we recall these times - times that have changed us forever as we have grown in our faith in the Lord.
(...for we walk by FAITH, not by sight...") II Cor. 5:7

Little did I know on that day, seven years ago, that things were actually going to get worse before they would get better. Dan would be diagnosed with cancer, we would come very close to losing our home, I would have a personal struggle with depression, people that I loved would die. But, also how could I have known the blessing that was to come exactly four years later on that day? Our oldest son would walk down the aisle of a very old church, and marry the girl of his dreams. They would later dance to the song "The Luckiest" - each feeling that the title fit them perfectly!

As I sit down now, it is an uncharacteristically quiet day. Moke is still recovering from being sick, Dan is in Atlanta on business for four days and the only commotion going on right now is Melee running back and forth in the kitchen. All day yesterday, something was "stirring" in my soul - lots of memories, good and bad. I was mentally writing many more chapters for the book I still intend to finish...and then it hit me this morning. That was exactly seven years ago today that the very same "stirring" was in my heart. I didn't remember the starting date of my journal until a few hours ago. I think it is kind of cool that it was seven years ago today - I like all the "seven" things in Scripture! God is amazing. I am constantly, utterly humbled at the ways He chooses to interact with me - a frail human being. Another "seven" connection to all this is the years that we were in the midst of our most difficult trial. It was about seven years: from the time around 9/11/2001 to appx. 6/27/2008. It was on our 27th Anniversary, that Dan received his first major check for his new company!

Looking around me today, I still see the consequences of our trials, but more importantly - I see the blessing. All praise to Him, He is restoring the years that were "destroyed by the locusts". He is restoring relationships and allowing us to grow closer in friendships, as well as within our family relationships. We are such sinners on a daily basis - I'm amazed that God even puts up with us. You certainly know this if you know us! But - He is guiding us, step by step, out of this pit that we were in! Psalm 90 has been a frequent quote of mine this year in my correspondence to others. I can't help it - it speaks to me in such a personal and profound way!
"Lord, you have been our dwelling place throughout all generations.
Before the mountains were born or you brought forth the earth and the world, from everlasting to everlasting you are God...
Teach us to number our days aright, that we may gain a heart of wisdom.
Relent, O Lord! How long will it be? Have compassion on your servants.
Satisfy us in the morning with your unfailing love, that we may sing for joy and be glad all our days.
Make us glad for as many days as you have afflicted us, for as many years as we have seen trouble.
May your deeds be shown to your servants, your splendor to their children.
May the favor of the Lord our God rest upon us;
establish the work of our hands for us - yes, establish the work of our hands."

He did! He had compassion on us, He satisfied us every morning, He is making us glad again after the years of trouble! He is establishing the work for us. My new prayer now is: Lord, help me not to be a slacker!

Our years of trouble were so small compared to so many others trials, but it was real to us. It was painful, confusing and required so much of us. It seemed that it would never end. Slowly though, it did. I will write that book someday for our kids. I still feel compelled to do it - it is a work that He has established for me.

Today in History? I am thanking the King of Kings and Lord of Lords! I am going to hold tight to the memories and lessons that He has allowed to become a part of my personal history. And...I'm going to work on my book. : )