Celebrations In The Midst Of Storms

Even in the midst of storms God will bring us moments of celebration. Yesterday was one of them. Taryn ran in the CIF Cross Country championships and placed 8th overall out of about 100 girls which qualified her for the state meet next weekend in Fresno! Our entire family plus 2 aunts were there to cheer her on. The last meet she had was the League Championships which qualified her for CIF. We celebrated by visiting Dad and sharing our joy with him. He died the next morning. I know he would be very proud of Taryn and happy for her. She has worked so hard all summer and fall to get where she is.
Right after the meet we went and celebrated Ashley's 21st birthday which is tomorrow. There was much healing laugther as we sat around the table enjoying one anther's company.
These are a few quotes from my devotional this morning that encouraged me. "God knows that you can withstand your trial, or else he would not have given it to you. His trust in you explains the trials of your life, no mater how severe they may be. God knows your strength, and He measure it to the last inch. Remember, no trial has ever been given to anyone that was greater than that person's strength, THROUGH GOD, to endure it. Rise up today to face the circumstances in which the providence of God has placed you. Your crown of glory is hidden in the heart of these things-the hardships and trials pressing in on you this very hour, week, and month of your life. Yet the most difficult things are not those seen and known by the world but those deep within your soul, unseen and unknown by anyone except Jesus. But I must believe that when difficulties remain, it is that I may learn to trust Him completely-to trust and not be afraid. And it is through my mental and emotional struggles that I am being trained to tutor others who are being tossed by the storm."
Today remember that God trusts you and He wants you to trust Him completely. Through God, and God only you can endure anything. The providence of God places every trial into your life. You are being trained to tutor others who are being tossed by the storm. And while you are in the storm look for moments to celebrate the goodness of God. Don't wait for the seas to be calm and your feet to be standing on solid ground before you give thanks to God. Maybe your praise is the very thing that will calm the winds that are beating against your life.