Thankful for the trials?

I realized tonight that I haven't been on my blog in over a year.  I kinda forgot about it until I saw the movie "Mom's Night Out" at the beginning of the week.  I went to see the movie with my friend Vicki.  In the movie the main character is writing on her mommy blog.  Soooo. . . . that being said, I thought I would write a little something.  I am really not a great writer but here goes.

Since my husband's stroke in the fall of 2012, we have had trouble connecting back together as a couple. We could not figure out what was going on in our lives.  Was it stroke related?  I had heard many horror stories about couples who had been through similar situations and their relationships always ended in divorce or the person who survived the traumatic brain injury became a different person altogether.   Was this happening to us?  I prayed and cried and contemplated packing up and going back to Oklahoma many times.  In my heart, I knew God had a reason for allowing Bill to recover so miraculously (Bill recovered and was back to work within 4 months of his stroke).  I kept asking God to help us survive as a couple and as the awesome family that He had created us to be.   

God answered my prayers through my 4 year old daughter and many other ways. Lucy would always say "Mom and Dad, we are an awesome team family".  When she would pray she would say "Thank you, Lord for this day.  Thank you for mom and dad.  Help dad to be the great dad, mom to be the great mom, and Lucy to be the great Lucy and Molly (our dog) to be the great Molly".  Bill and I started believing that we were an "Awesome Team Family"   

In a weird sort of way, God also answered my prayer through our church situation.  Our pastor resigned last year due to some personal issues.  As our church was looking for a new pastor, a group called "Soul Leaders" was recommended to the church board to help our church get back on its feet and prepare ourselves for a new pastor.  They were a great asset to our church and their staff delivered some great messages about how to look within ourselves and be all that God wanted us to be. 

God also brought a few books across my path that have really helped me.

·        The Power of Prayer to Change our Marriage by Stormie Omartian.  I encourage you to read any and all of her books.  She is a great author.  This particular book talked about forgiveness, changing our own heart and praying for our spouse. 

·        The Grace Awakening by Charles Swindoll.  This book was recommended by our interim pastor Dr. Bischof.  I grew up with a very legalistic background.  For many years I have been very bitter and resentful about it.  I would try to shake it off but it was part of me.  After reading this book, I knew that I had to allow God to separate the good from the bad. 

I am a perfectionist by nature.  I have a hard time trying something new because I want it to be perfect right away.   This perfectionism has affected my relationships with many people including my husband.  I know that I have a long way to go but I am so thankful that God has opened up some doors and has begun to work on my heart.  God is helping me to accept other people for who they are and love them.  I am so thankful for all God has taught me through many trials over the last few years. Trials are no fun and they sometimes suck (just being honest).   I am not a very patient person but I know God is teaching me to be patient and to trust His plan. 

James 1:2-4” My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing”.