Month: September 2021

“Blessings in the Midst of The Raging Storms”

It is so easy to take for granted the MOST precious gifts of life! Sitting in this airplane flying away from my family, I ponder how very blessed I am! In fact, I am reminded in the quietness with God the abounding and overwhelming blessings He’s bestowed upon my life! God is near, even when we feel alone!

Listening to our wedding song “I Will Be Here”, I’m reminded of my amazing & Godly husband! He loves and cherishes me! Leaving him is never easy, but the time apart is always a reminder of the depth of our love! Absence truly makes the heart grow fonder! He is patient in many ways and has never tried to guilt or manipulate me for personal gain. He’s always put my needs above his own, this was evident even in our dating days. He never pressured me and has always supported me! He is an amazing father! He always listens to, provides for, challenges, and supports our children in their dreams and endeavors! He is the Godly man I prayed for as a child. I am ever so grateful!

Leaving my children never gets easier. When they were babies, I thought it would be easier to leave when they were older and more independent. Nope, leaving them ALWAYS feels like I’m leaving my heart behind. Man, these amazing people God gifted us… I am blessed! They are kind, loving, silly, respectful, considerate, and they all have a desire to be the best version of themself! The best part is that they love me and forgive me when I’m human! These four keep me laughing all the time, even when life feels overwhelming and difficult.

My family is a gift! They can drive me crazy at times, that’s a part of life! I even love the “crazy times”… because these are the growth moments that draw us closer together. I know this is God’s plan, to have a place on Earth where you feel safe and loved for who you are. I didn’t grow up with this gift and know the fear, heartache, loneliness, and miserableness of a lack of love and security in a home. I made a decision to follow God whole-heartedly and do everything in my power to ensure my children grew up in a home of love, stability, and security. Obedience to God and continually searching our hearts offers us the most rewarding gifts Earth has to offer!

Sure, I tell them everyday that I love them and often how proud of them I am, but do I tell them they make my world a better place? As this airplane flies to the other side of America, I am reminded of the amazing gifts God has given me! My husband and children absolutely make my world a better place! I need to tell them this more often! They’re the sunshine that I love to come home to after a long day! They’re the reason for the tears that spill from my eyes every time I leave them behind for a trip! Life is hard! The past several years have brought one trial after another, God has been faithful through the storms. The storms are scary, God has never left our side! He’s given the blessing of family and friends to hold us, cry with us, pray for us, support us, and make us laugh in the trials! My heart is full of gratitude for the answered prayers and presence of God in my life!

Friends, when life is hard, Satan works overtime in our minds! He wants us to be so caught up in the fear of the storms, that we’re unable to see God at work in our lives! In fact, he convinces us that God has forgotten us, that he’s not present, that we’re alone, that our trials will never end. It’s not true! Today was a reminder of God’s goodness, even when the storms have been raging! The goal of our life is to live victoriously, not perfectly, or without pain! Live victoriously through Christ! Blessings, Crystal

My heart is breaking today for a fellow mother of a child enduring the MIS-C nightmare, not once but now a second time. This is every parent and child with MIS-C’s worse nightmare. That MIS-C may reoccur and to see the data being made in real life is unsettling! It is a relatively new condition and there is little information to provide answers. Being the pioneers for this illness is terrifying. Thankfully, we now have a support group to pray for, encourage and help each other through the hard times, and to celebrate healing and victories!

I know all of us parents have asked the infectious disease, rheumatology, and specialists doctors this question about 100 times throughout the duration of the journey! “Can my child get MIS-C again?”

As time passes the data “our very own children’s health occurrences” are filling in the blanks. Friends, this is terrifying! I am not going to lie! I DO NOT like it and absolutely wish my Sweet Caroline didn’t have to be a part of the MIS-C club. We are now a part of the club, wishing we weren’t, living in denial and fear, and throwing tantrums is not going to help! Trust me, I’ve cried so many tears, felt my heart would beat in angst right outside of my chest, and I’ve wrestled with God about “why”? The only thing that has kept me sane throughout this entire process is God!

God loves His children and longs for our souls to be quieted in His presence. Once calmed, I remember to ask myself…

What are my choices? I ask my clients this all the time… It’s the best question to ask ourselves when facing insurmountable trials.

1.). I can be crazy scared, act frivolously, and move into absolute “control” mode.

Admittedly, more times than I can count… I’ve had the thought to run to the school and pull her out to homeschool her. Thankfully, I calmed down quickly and turned my fear into prayer! God reminded me that “our” little girl is relational and is so happy at her school, she loves her friends, and being in school is good for her spirit. I calmed down and didn’t run to the school and demand to bring her home to her momma bear! Lol! I remembered to check my fear at the cross.

2.) I can take my fear and anxiety to God.

This calms me and grounds my fearful heart. In His presence I learn that I can exercise caution and be careful with her care and symptoms. This is a much better option!

I’m God’s presence he continually leads my wandering and fearful heart back to option 2. Therefore, I’m not acting in hysterics, fear, and attempting to control everything and everyone around me!

Covid is REAL! It is directly impacting each of our lives! It is hitting close to home in more and more families. If I had a magic wand… I’d wave it around and wish away all the brokenness due to this Covid pandemic. I don’t have this ability and neither do you… Even our finest doctor’s still have limited information. I have something better and so do you… FAITH! Faith in a God who is in control! Lean into Him with your fears and concerns! He is walking through this pandemic with us and has a purpose for all our pain. He will redeem this and return what has been taken from us in His time… He will redeem!

Since the start of this Covid pandemic we have all been faced with the absolute uncertainty and vulnerability of being a human! We are not immortal, contrary to what we like to think and convince ourselves! We are mortal beings with a beginning and end! Not a single one of us knows our final day. None of us know the outcomes, if there will be answers, or if the virus will ever be contained. God knows! He will use this, ALL of it for good! It breaks his heart to see His children suffering! This I know! He is near the broken hearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

Some of us have experienced nothing more than a bad cold! Some of us have faced near death experiences that have woken us up to what is important. Some of us have witnessed our children face near death experiences. Sadly, many of us have lost loved ones during this pandemic. Shockingly, there are still some who say it’s nothing more than a “flu”. Everyone of us has been impacted by Covid-19, either directly or indirectly. It’s heart breaking, frightening, and comes with much uncertainty!

There are many things we don’t have control over… The pandemic is one! And… how others respond in the midst of the pandemic is another.

There is one thing we have control over… How we respond to the pandemic? What do you choose?

1) Be crazy scared, frantic, and attempt to control everything around you… All in an attempt to quiet your own fears.

2). Take your fear to God and allow Him to lead, guide, direct, and comfort you during a difficult time. Allow God to quiet the noise in your soul and calm, comfort, and ground your spirit.

The choice is yours. I choose… 2!

Over and over again I run back to option 2, it is the ONLY THING that calms my spirit!

Today, I’m praying for God’s mercy, wisdom, and healing over this pandemic! I’m praying for the individuals and families impacted by Covid! I am praying for all children and parents whose lives have been turned upside down due to MIS-C. I’m praying for my very own Sweet Caroline!

Please join me in choosing option 2. Let’s flood heaven with fervent prayers for healing!

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” Philippians 4:6 & 7

Blessings, Crystal