Encouragement

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After a quick kiss on the cheek, he stepped out of the van and raced through the revolving door. He had to hurry in order to catch his flight. This was one flight that could not be missed. Once boarded, my husband flew to Florida and began drug rehabilitation. We, myself and our three children, would go on with our lives at home without him...praying that God would work a miracle in his heart and mind and deliver him from this evil.
As I watched him walk out of our lives, anxiety began to grip my soul. I used my last fifty dollars to drive him here, I thought. What am I going to do? Thankfully, my family had graciously invited us to stay with them for a couple of days to ease the children into this new life. The children played and enjoyed time away from home,just what they needed to take their mind off Daddy being gone. Thank you, God.
After 2 days, it was time to head home. We packed our things, said our good-byes, and I froze in the driveway. With tears streaming down my face, I said to my family, "I am so scared. I know God will take care of us, but my children should not have to go through this. I can survive, but they are so innocent. I don’t want to do this. I wish it would just go away." We hugged for a long time and words of encouragement were given. Then, the necessary happened. We began our drive home.
Three hours seemed like an eternity. Along with meeting the needs of our children, my mind was divided. So much to think about. So little quiet to do it in. My thoughts quickly began to plan every detail I could imagine. I need to confirm babysitting this week. How am I going to pay the car payment and electric bill? How will I answer the kids when they question about Daddy? How can I face everyone? What happens when he is released? Somehow, I managed to whisper a prayer or two between thoughts. Peace, Lord. Please give me peace. Calm my mind and settle my spirit.
Finally home, the kids ran to the door. I, on the other end, was not so eager. This is real, I thought. Can’t I just keep driving? Do I really have to do this Lord? There was nowhere to go except through that door. With caution, I braced myself, turned the key and slowly opened the door to our new life. What awaited inside was specially wrapped by the One who loved us more than any other...Peace. A calmed mind. A settled spirit.. Instantly, my mind held the words of 1 Peter 5:7 "casting all care upon Him, for He cares for you." He had been listening. He knew my thoughts and was fully aware of our circumstance. And He was not anxious. He was and is Sovereign with a plan and purpose for all things under the sun.
In the days that followed, the Lord exercised me in this discipline. It was not easy, but He helped me violently throw off all my care and rest in Him. I still had many moments of weakness, wallowing in sadness and feeling desperate. But He was faithful to always remind me of His care for me through His Word, His people and meeting my needs practically.
He cares for you, too. Are you looking for evidence of that truth in your daily life? It is there. You don’t have to fret or anxiously plan your next move. He cares for you. Throw all your care on Him and rest. Rest, my friend, rest.

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