I Know Whom I Have Believed

Larry at lunch in the cafeteria
at rehab-- making a funny face.

My husband, Larry, has always said our christian walks are kind of cyclical. Sometimes we are on spiritual highs, sometimes we are on spiritual lows. This month I've been on a spiritual high and a secular low. Those of you who have been keeping up with me on Facebook know that on New Year's Day my hubby had a stroke. This has been one of the worst times of our lives, but we are making it through. In the past two weeks I have learned somethings that I thought I already knew, and I would like to share them with you.

God Cares For Me (And YOU!)
I Peter 5:7: "Casting all your care upon him; for he careth for you."

This week I have experienced the love of God in so many ways that I have been left humbled and in awe. Perhaps you've seen this in your life and already completely understand that God cares for you. While I have always known God cares for me and that he is my help, I have learned it better than I have ever known since my husband had his stroke. I want to encourage you to cast your cares and burdens on him, because he truly does care for you!

I have been amazed at every turn. Nothing has presented itself that wasn't taken care of. A week ago I had not had the chance to go buy myself some food, and a preacher's wife (who I did not know from the Weber Road church of Christ) showed up asking me if I needed something to eat. That may not seem like a big thing to most people, but the last two weeks have been so full of little things that I see God's help from every corner, and like Ms. Dorothy (one of my instructors at MSOP) praying for the glasses she lost in a restaurant states away from her home, I am praying for it all. Ms. Dorothy's glasses where returned in the mail. I got Whataburger. :) God cares for me, and he cares for you, too!


God's Church is a Family
Ephesians 2:19-22

"Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellow citizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; In whom all the building fitly framed together groweth unto an holy temple in the Lord: In whom ye also are builded together for an habitation of God through the Spirit."

My family has lived in several states, and have been blessed with a large church family. The last few weeks has shown me how very real this family is and how much Christians should and do care for each other. While we've been away, the Star City congregation where my husband preaches has been helping us beyond measure, and the local congregations in South Texas have been a great comfort and source of strength.

The day my husband had his stroke several members from the Adams Street church of Christ in Beeville, Texas, came and sat with me. My hubs grew up there and this congregation will always be very special to us. The brothers and sisters took my girls out to dinner and brought me food. They were just there waiting for news about Larry and ready to help me in whatever way they could. I can't thank them enough for that. They didn't just leave me alone after that first day, they have been caring for us every since.

There are so many more congregations that have been more than helpful, and I want to thank them all for everything. Their willingness to help us has show me first-hand that the church is the best family anyone could have, and we are all so blessed!

One of the members, Justin Imel, where Larry preaches set up a GoFundMe page called the Elliott Family Fund to help with our expenses, and so many people have reached out to help us. Just knowing that so many people care and are helping up with our needs leaves me in awe, and I want to thank everyone who has helped and will help. I also want to thank everyone for the prayers on our behalf, because I know God answers prayer!

I Can Do ALL Things In Christ
Philippians 4:12-13

"I know both how to be abased, and I know how to abound: every where and in all things I am instructed both to be full and to be hungry, both to abound and to suffer need. I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

I guess we have really embraced the idea that I can do ALL things in Christ. Anytime we have faced depression or a curve ball over the last few weeks, we remember that God is in control, and in him is our hope. I have learned, even more than I had already known, that I can overcome anything thrown my way and thankfully my hubs knows this, too. This fact encourages him to strive hard each day. It drives him to work harder and longer even when he is at the point of exhaustion. In fact, in the last two weeks he has gone from bed bound to walking -- although wobbly and not for long periods of time; he is walking! I want to remind you that you can also do all things through Christ.

I hope you already know that God cares for you, that the church is a real family and that you can do all things through Christ. If you ever doubt, take a look at your life. I promise you will see God's love around you in all things. Thanks again for everything!