Life and Death

I hate emotional roller coasters. I really wish I could get off this one.

UP
Yesterday marked the day six years ago that Jesus invited me to follow Him. It was a good day. I did not have a hugely busy day, but I worked on getting stuff ready for pumpkin painting that I am organizing for about 30 kids here in the community on Saturday. I am really excited for it. I had coffee with a friend and I had the best time as we just talked about the amazing ways God has worked in our lives since we have known each other. It is truely remarkable.

Then God gave me the coolest "Re-birthday" present. I noticed on Facebook that there was a new group that a few of my friends from high school had joined. It was a group dedicated to the members of the youth group that I got involved with when I started following Jesus. The creator was my youth pastor. I have not been in contact with him in about 5 years because I attend school 5 hours from home and rarely make the trip, and a year after I graduated he left that church to become the pastor of a church plant. It may not seem like a big deal, but it was special to me.

DOWN
My great-grandmother was moved into hospice care and is now in congestive heart failure. It could be a matter of hours to a couple of days. My heart just aches. She is 95 and has had a very full life. She is loved by her 9 kids, and at least 100 grandkids, great-grandkids, and great-great grandkids. My responsibilties here in town are preventing me from going down to say goodbye.

ROUND AND ROUND
I want to fight for joy. I know my God is good and loving and walking beside me right now. Satan is really good at making my head spin when I am emotional and tired. Anticipating the phone call is tying my stomach in knots. A verse just came to mind, "And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love him, who have been called according to his purpose." Romans 8:28

He that is in me is greater than he who is in the world