As some of you who read what I write know, God has provided for my family in round about ways for years so that I can be there for the children in my home, care for others, write what I do, and minister without restrictions. I do everything from odd jobs, fixing broken and discarded junk, even collecting aluminum cans. Today we had wind gusts up to 45 mph that shredded one of our canopy covers and then soaked everything that was underneath with solid rain for hours. To be clear, to most people the stuff that got wet should have been thrown away a long time ago, but in my mind there was value in the making. I know that God could’ve stop the storm and yet He has chosen not to. I often question why I am constantly struggling and suffering in just about every aspect of my life. I love God above all. I am in the Word daily. I worship completely surrendered. I am intentional to strengthen and encourage others in Christ, but I have very little peace in this world. There is a verse about God’s sovereignty that brings peace and clarity to me in my times of turmoil and frustration. It is written in *Matthew 5:45…He makes His sun rise on those who are evil and on those who are good, and makes the rain fall on the righteous [those who are morally upright] and the unrighteous [the unrepentant, those who oppose Him].* I am thankful that the most important parts of  my family’s lives were already protected by God, my family in the safety of our home. I have come to the understanding that instead of trying to pray away my anxiety and depression, I have learned to bow my head, say a simple prayer, and weather the storm trusting God to help me through it, and when on the other side, for Him to help me clean up the aftermath after everything dries out. He has always been faithful to help me and I am confident that He always will be. I am encouraged by the words of Charles Spurgeon, “Weak may be our feet, but almighty is God’s right hand. Rough may be the road, but Omnipotence is our upholding. We may boldly go forward. We shall not fall. Let us lean continually where all things lean. God will not withdraw His strength, for His righteousness is there as well. He will be faithful to His promise, and faithful to His Son, and therefore faithful to us.” I am thankful that no matter how troubled things get, God is never caught off guard, shocked, or dismayed. He will give me strength to endure and more importantly when I don’t know what the future holds I can trust in He who holds my future in His loving, caring hands. I know that it is easy to trust God when all is well, but to trust Him when things are being shredded, when the storms are raging, to trust Him when there is nothing that you can do about what is going on in your life, that is real faith. P.S. I do want to thank all of those who support my family and I in the variety of ways that you do, you are truly my beloved.