How are you doing?

If I were being gut honest, I’d tell you that while this is one of the more beautiful months we’ve experienced in a long time, I can’t shake the feeling that there’s ominous clouds on the horizon.

I’m not going to make this a political post because that’s the last thing I need this morn, but I watch what’s happening in the world around me with growing alarm. Will I be strong enough to face what’s ahead?

These are the thoughts that keep rolling through my brain. And this is what was on my mind last week as I rode through town with my dad.

He was in storytelling mode and we were reliving the days of his early farming career. “I had no idea what would happen next, but looking back it’s crazy how God worked everything out.”

He was quiet for a little as we rolled into a stoplight, and I stared out the window, lost in thought.

And then I saw it, a shiny little Grackle hopped along the road. He jumped up on the curb and cocked his head to the side and looked at me. Then he jumped into the grass and hopped away.

At that point it felt like God spoke to my heart “don’t you remember what I’ve promised, Kendra? I see the sparrow fall. I’ve got food already prepared for the super annoying Grackle. Can’t you trust me to be working ahead in your future to take care of you?”

And since then- everything has been pointing me of God’s promises. The neighbors field of wildflowers: If God takes such care in dressing these little flowers (which is only here briefly) how much more effort will He put into caring for his children, oh ye of little faith? (Matt 6)

Last nights meteor shower: Lift up your eyes and look at the stars… He created these and call them by name. Not one is missing… He does not grow tired or weary and His understanding no one can fathom… He gives strength to the weary, power to the weak. Those who trust in Him will renew their strength. (Parts of Isaiah 40)

Truly, there is no reason to allow fear of the unknown future take away from today. God is already there, providing for His Children. Be courageous, friends.

If God be for us, who can be against us?

Kendra

You know that feeling when you discover something and you just wanna share it with the entire world?

Recently I had to laugh at myself. My sisters are very eager “GetUpside”ers. It’s this really neat app where you scan your gas receipts from participating gas stations and they give you a few cents per gallon back . Apparently gas stations are willing to take a little less to promote their business and this app does just that.

I’ve been a little slow getting rolling with this, while my sisters have been making bank. (Em is at $500 on returns and counting) But one of the nearest gas stations to me just joined GetUpside and have been offering $.20 back. Anyhow I’m laughing at me because suddenly I’m filling up on gas every chance I get, and trying to think who of my friends would love to save money on fuel too. (If you want to check out this app you can find it Here. Using my code will get us both money back.) A penny saved is a penny earned, you know.

Another recent discovery came from my Aunt Thelma. I stopped to visit her and we were talking about life and current tough situations and she pulled up this reading. I love it, and found myself wanting to share it with everybody. I don’t know the writer personally, but I wish I could tell her how this resonates with my heart. I hope it blesses you too.

“I would have pulled Joseph out. Out of that pit. Out of that prison. Out of that pain. And I would have cheated nations out of the one God would use to deliver them from famine.

I would have pulled David out. Out of Saul’s spear-throwing presence. Out of the caves he hid away in. Out of the pain of rejection. And I would have cheated Israel out of a God-hearted king.

I would have pulled Esther out. Out of being snatched from her only family. Out of being placed in a position she never asked for. Out of the path of a vicious, power-hungry foe. And I would have cheated a people out of the woman God would use to save their very lives.

And I would have pulled Jesus off. Off of the cross. Off of the road that led to suffering and pain. Off of the path that would mean nakedness and beatings, nails and thorns. And I would have cheated the entire world out of a Savior. Out of salvation. Out of an eternity filled with no more suffering and no more pain.

And oh friend. I want to pull you out. I want to change your path. I want to stop your pain. But right now I know I would be wrong. I would be out of line. I would be cheating you and cheating the world out of so much good. Because God knows. He knows the good this pain will produce. He knows the beauty this hard will grow. He’s watching over you and keeping you even in the midst of this. And He’s promising you that you can trust Him. Even when it all feels like more than you can bear.

So instead of trying to pull you out, I’m lifting you up. I’m kneeling before the Father and I’m asking Him to give you strength. To give you hope. I’m asking Him to protect you and to move you when the time is right. I’m asking Him to help you stay prayerful and discerning. I’m asking Him how I can best love you and be a help to you. And I’m believing He’s going to use your life in powerful and beautiful ways. Ways that will leave your heart grateful and humbly thankful for this road you’ve been on.”

• Kimberly D. Henderson, 2017

Press on friends, the battle belongs to the Lord!

Kendra

Bonus Pics:

And since it’s been a week since I shared any pics of my favorite little guys 😍 We had fun attempting to capture these shots of Alexander. (“We” being me. Alexander slept the entire time.)

And my busy little buddies 😅 they each have their own little tricks. And I was impressed again with how fleeting these stages are. Uriah learned how to crawl on all fours this week, leaving the tongue out, tummy crawl days behind.

And Isaiah got his first tractor ride with Aunt Ken. Jul brought them out to the edge of the field to watch as I finished seeding rye. Isaiah stood up in the stroller and hollered until he got a ride. Look out world.