“God is able to make all grace abound to you, so that having all sufficiency in all things at all times, you may abound in every good work.” 2 Corinthians 9:8

Step Up to the Plate

My days have changed—but in some ways not changed. Instead of dealing with all the details of Floyd’s care, I am now dealing with all the details of his passing. My life still seems full of things having to do with Floyd! He’s never far from my thoughts.

A line in a book I was reading recently jumped off the page to me. “Sometimes things happen that you never expected, and all you can do is step up to the plate.” That resonated in my heart and mind!

A little over five years ago while I was still battling cancer, the unexpected hit with Floyd’s illness. Overnight everything in our lives was turned upside down, and our unexpected journey began. I began to write prayer letters that turned into prayer updates because I knew we couldn’t go it alone. We needed prayer—lots and lots of prayer.

What I called my “roller coaster” proceeded day by day. There were so many ups and downs that I couldn’t keep up with them. I’ve never liked roller coasters, and here I was on an endless one. Going back to that line above, I guess I “stepped up,” but really there wasn’t any other option. If I’m honest, I didn’t want to step up! It was hard to step up. But I needed to care for Floyd, and I had to continue fighting cancer.

Thankfully I wasn’t alone. God was holding my hand, staying right by my side, and undergirding me each step of the way. Family and friends were helping in every way they could. And you dear ones were praying! I am so grateful that I was carried by all of you on our journey.

When the unexpected hits, we may feel inadequate to “step up to the plate.” I know I sure did! But, as I said, there usually isn’t any other option. Thankfully we aren’t stepping up alone. His grace WILL be sufficient for our every need as we walk into that unknown journey. He holds our right hand as we walk the new path.

There will ALWAYS be “things we never expected” in our lives. We can’t avoid them—it’s part of life. But I guess one of the key things I’ve learned on our unexpected journey is that God isn’t surprised by the unexpected, and He won’t abandon us as we walk through those things. In fact, quite the opposite. He helps us get through them, and He brings good out of them in His own unique way. Only our wonderful God can do that.

In the midst of the unexpected things of life, I’m so grateful that God still has plans to give us a future and a hope. I don’t know what my future holds, but God has kept hope alive in my heart.

Lord, help us to press into Your abundant grace when we have to “step up to the plate.”  We know that You will meet us with everything we need!