Falling on His Grace

My husband told me the song "It's the End of the World as We Know It" is back on the charts. It seems appropriate as the world is changing, and there could be more changes ahead of us. At this time, there are both the familiar - in the seasons and outdoors, in the family we have gathered around us, and in the conveniences we have in our home - and the unfamiliar - restaurants, theaters, and some stores being closed, children home from school, keeping our distance from friends. And there's the unknown; there's navigating the unknown waters and new ill-understood and ill-defined social norms. Do I let my kids play with friends, limiting it to two or three total? Do we go to stores to buy essentials? Am I putting my family's and my life in danger by doing seemingly innocuous, everyday things? A friend made the comment that she feels as if the world is hanging on by a thread. This time we are in can certainly give that impression. For some, including her, this q...

Our story is still being written. A year and a half later, our boys are 3 1/2 and 2 years old and keep us running. I am working for a wonderful company 4 days per week and enjoying one day per week and weekends home with my family. My husband has shown an interest in business and went back to school at a local university, working toward his Bachelor's degree. I have done some writing and have found I rarely feel more alive than with a paper and pen, in prayer. Writing in this blog is really the first time I have written for anyone besides myself, and I put this and all my writing in God's hands, that He may do with it as He pleases. I wish I could say everything is continuing to fall into place as easily as it did as God was directing our move. We, like all people, have our difficulties, and I still struggle with surrendering to God. But we have no doubt He is with us and directing us, and we have no doubt He has led us here for a reason. Learning to fully trust in God...

Andy began to look for work in the [small town] area. At first, we assumed he would be the one to work. I had always told him that if we were ever to move, I would stay home with our children. Andy looked but could not find work near [small town]. Maybe God is closing the door on this move, I thought. I had not even considered the idea that I may have to work. One week later, a letter came in the mail. As a physical therapist, I get almost daily mail seeking therapists to fill job openings. Usually, I look at them out of curiosity and then promptly discard them. But this one was different. This one was from a large, expanding Catholic organization in the Stevens Point area, calling therapists to “explore the back roads of your community” and to “bring strong Christian values and compassion to the people you serve.” It was a home health agency. “I could do this,” I told Andy, as I stood at the entrance of the living room, reading it over. ...