Praise God From Whom All BLESSINGS flow

Everyone has heard the miraculous Christmas blessing we received.

We made the dang news.  For.the.love.

But what is even more miraculous are all the other blessings that just keep coming.

And I don't just mean money.  (Though, WOW, just wait)

Let's start back when I started the facebook fast.

I ALMOST gave up the kids this month.  I don't think ANYONE knows how close I came.  I fought the devil HARD this month.  He was determined for me to give up.  He knew I didn't have my support of my village (aka Facebook friends), and that enemy, pulled out every excuse, every misery, every problem he could pull and throw it in my face.

Then through prayer and GRACE, I saw the big picture.  I quit fighting the "What If's" and surrendered to the "What are's" and that's when the floodgates opened.

Again.

I started a commission job during Christmas.  That's pretty much the dumbest thing a human being could do. Two weeks without zip.  Then I had a decent week of work, and then I got sick.  Another week down.

So needless to say, my coffers have been a bit empty.

Or so it would seem.

First of all, around the time my house payment came due, a knock on my mom's door, opened to a wonderful young man (who tripped her heart into palpitations, and he knows who he is) handed her a wad of bills in cash, and told her to tell me not to spend it at the casino.  He was the "handmaiden" (if you will) of a very incredible benefactor, that told me she had missed giving her normal "gift" to the angel tree, and would instead, like to gift it to my family.

If my mom had any skeptical doubts left in her head..holding that money in her hand, erased them all.  "God is rewarding you."  she said, as she handed me that money.  "And He sent a GOOD LOOKING man to do it".    Oh my gosh, my mom still palpitates over hott guys.  (may I always be like her).

Now....the blood drive.  I can't even begin to tell you how much I love our "Core" group of Laynie fans.  There are the families that support us in all things, and they were there.   It was just so special.

Then the texts.  Oh my word.  THE TEXTS.  I was sitting at work, utterly defeated, just about to call my caseworker, when my phone blew up.  And they just kept coming.  And my FRIENDS, my accountability TEAM, MY VILLAGE.... loved me through a very dark day.

Then, this past week,as I walked in the hall in a fever soaked haze, I get an email from a friend telling me she wants to cover my trip to the doctor and get myself there pronto.  God gave me healing (through the blessing of honey and cinnamon), and I didn't have to go...but it was offered.

THEN, (oh just wait).... one of my CORE group, in talking with me at the blood drive, offers to buy lovely some new balance tennis shoes, because this kid has feet you can't even believe, and I don't know that new balance makes  "Z" size wide (which is probably what she'll need) and tells me to meet him in Edmond, and he's buying her some shoes.  WHAT?

And, as I sit on the toilet yesterday (hang with me, I have a point), and realize I'm putting on the last roll of tp, and then brush my teeth, with the LAST of my toothpaste, and used my LAST bar of soap (I'm not exaggerating here, though I admit I tend to do that), and used my last squirt of shampoo on my hair, and was wondering how I was going to pull off making it until the 1st...... I get a text from another CORE group member, and tells me to go look in front of my garage.

I seriously just sat in my chair and sobbed.  My kids are getting used to it.   "Oh Lolly getting blessed again".  

All I think about every single time something like this happens, is Ketric Newell (the youth pastor at Edmond lifechurch at the time) jumping UP and DOWN in our hospital room at Children's yelling at Lacey and I with such passion and belief.. (after we were told Laynie had no time).

"GOD IS BIGGER THAN ANY DIAGNOSIS.  YOU JUST HAVE TO BELIEVE IT."   

and as itty bitty newbie christians, not fully understanding the ENORMITY of that statement. doubting,  'But, but, God can't CHANGE her chromosomes. "

Well, in response to that, he changed her DIAGNOSIS THREE times.  Three, people.  In fact, her chromosomal work-up was DIFFERENT EVERY TIME THEY TOOK IT. 

"You think I can't change her chromosomes.  Oh Ye Of Little FAITH."

God, I get it now. I got it then, but I didn't really "Get" it.  I didn't understand why I was being pulled to foster.  Then I started receiving the blessings.  God... You have showed me through ALL THINGS you are faithful.  And you are good.

I was going to put something funny on facebook this morning like,  "For I am convinced that neither snot nor mucus, neither fever or chills, nor any suppresent or expectorant, nor any ibuprofen, can separate the enormity of Honey and Cinnamon together as a healer"....

Until I REALLY read the verse, and a chill, that had nothing to do with my flu, swept over me.

I AM CONVINCED.... (not maybe, not halfway, but CONVINCED)  that LIFE nor DEATH  (whether I'm alive or dead)   Neither angels or Demons   (I've seen both this month)...  Neither the present NOR the future  (we get SO tied up worrying about both of them), Nor any Powers, neither Height, nor depth, NOR ANYTHING ELSE IN ALL CREATION  (that pretty much wraps up EVERYTHING),

WILL BE ABLE TO SEPARATE us from the LOVE of GOD that is in Christ Jesus our LORD.

NOTHING can take God away from me.  or You.

Just let Him in and BELIEVE.

"GOD IS BIGGER THAN ANY DIAGNOSIS. (whatever your "Diagnosis" is,... a lost job, a broken relationship, a financial crisis, a shattered dream, the loss of your precious family member, you fill in the blank)... YOU JUST HAVE TO BELIEVE IT."  

And in "Believing It".... give it to Him, and Let HIM carry you.

For God. Is. Good.    Just believe.