God's Strength

I've been struggling with my relationship with the Lord. My Dad's cancer, my wife's illness and subsequent surgery, holidays and the job. Any couple of these things and I'm probably ok. In my case, these all combined to beat me down. I wouldn't say that I left the path, but I've certainly been roaming around the bushes near it. Every now and then I spy the narrow hard to find trail that leads to God. One of the hardest things for me to do lately is go to church. You see, I usher at my church, and I took January off. I have not been to a service since before Christmas. I just couldn't or wouldn't go. That all changed today. I ended up ushering at one of the morning services, and all the way to church, I prayed that the Lord would provide the strength for me to not just get through it, but that He would allow my heart to be worked on. God did indeed provide the strength. Not only did I feel encouraged, I was able to share the things that had been happening in my life with others. I felt so good being able to speak about all these things I had been holding inside. One of my good friends and his wife listened and wept with me as I recounted the stress (and success) of my fathers battle with cancer. They also listened as I spoke of my wife's surgery and the stress that brought into my life. When I left church today, I was a new man, refreshed and strengthened by God and my brothers and sisters in Christ. If we let him, God does find a way to help us. Psalm 86 1-13 Bow down Your ear, O LORD, hear me; For I am poor and needy. Preserve my life, for I am holy; You are my God; Save Your servant who trusts in You! Be merciful to me, O Lord, For I cry to You all day long. Rejoice the soul of Your servant, For to You, O Lord, I lift up my soul. For You, Lord, are good, and ready to forgive, And abundant in mercy to all those who call upon You. Give ear, O LORD, to my prayer; And attend to the voice of my supplications. In the day of my trouble I will call upon You, For You will answer me. Among the gods there is none like You, O Lord; Nor are there any works like Your works. All nations whom You have made Shall come and worship before You, O Lord, And shall glorify Your name. For You are great, and do wondrous things; You alone are God.