Slice of Life | Life is not easy.

Life is not easy. Your hard probably doesn't look like mine --- it shouldn't look like mine. We each have our own stories, but they don't belong to us. They belong to the Lord, and He wants to use them to inspire and strengthen and encourage and make the world a better place. This is why they aren't always easy. If they were, we wouldn't see Him. He weaves our stories together. 

- Ruth Ayres

Life is not easy.

While I count my blessings daily, I could also make another list right now. Goodness gracious! It's been one thing after another and things keep breaking down. We continue on a long journey of recovery after a lengthy time of unemployment in our home. Over these past years, my journal is where I write most closely to my heart. But today I am sharing some of my hard with you, because my story belongs to the Lord.

In a routine eye exam, a spot was found behind Jim's left eye. Every six months, he sees a specialist in Halifax which is a couple hours away. A number of tests have been done and while it can't be confirmed, they believe it has been there for a long time and may be a cyst where he has a history of cysts. Jim is not bothered by the spot and only knows it is there because of the tests. There have been no changes over the past year and a half which is good news. We have not been worried and we are thankful they are watching it closely. At the appointment in April, the specialist said he would like Jim to have a second opinion which would mean flying to Toronto. He said medicare would cover the traveling expenses, but it does not. In short, we had to cancel two appointments they made for him. They said to contact them when we could make the trip. All I knew to do was pray.

I tell you that to tell you this.

A friend came by for a visit six days ago. As we sat and chatted, she said she had another purpose for coming. She said they had just received an unexpected amount of money and they felt God wanted them to use it to help others. They had prayed over the last 48 hours and God led them to us. In the middle of an ordinary afternoon, God reached out and helped us.

Life is not easy.

But God sees the hard, does the unexpected and weaves our stories together.