Tag: trust God

Marriage

29 Years

meghanewhite

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The mighty Mississippi River snakes through Vicksburg, Mississippi. Side note: close your eyes and spell Mississippi out loud. Try M-i-crooked letter-crooked letter-i-crooked letter-crooked letter-i-humpback-humpback-i. Does anyone else remember that from childhood?

Back to my story. In 2021, we went to Vicksburg, Mississippi to see the historic Civil War battle field. My husband is a huge Civil War buff so Vicksburg was on the bucket list. It’s an incredible place. I highly recommend it if you love history. I’m sharing this picture with the pretty view from Vicksburg National Military Park, as an ode to my husband, Tom.

September 30th, is our twenty-ninth wedding anniversary. We are one year away from three decades of marriage, which is incredible. As momentous as this milestone is, we won’t be celebrating with a fancy dinner out, or a trip to some fun destination. Tom has been in the hospital since Tuesday of last week. Kidney failure struck again, but this time the blow was the worst ever.

This is Tom’s third hospitalization in three and a half years. Dialysis started this week and it’s not something we ever wanted, who does. Tom is supposed to come home on our anniversary, which would be the best gift. No jewelry or expensive gifts for me, not that I am into any of that. Those are the stereotypical anniversary presents. All I want is my husband healthy, and I’m praying for it.

After decades of marriage, I can look back on the good and bad times, and always see God’s faithful hand in our lives. Right now is an extremely difficult time, and also an opportunity for us to once again see God’s hand healing, providing, and caring for us. I would never choose this for my husband but what my Heavenly Father is allowing is for our good and His glory. We trust Him.

Months ago I was in the kitchen slicing potatoes as I prepared dinner. I cut my finger and without hesitation Tom got up from the family room, grabbed the knife, and finished slicing the potatoes as I got a bandage. He was exhausted after working all night. But that’s what you do for the one you love. That’s what my husband does for me. That’s what we do for each other. We don’t have to discuss it, we just jump in and help each other in our time of need. That is real love.

I’m helping Tom right now with the strength that the Lord provides. We stick together, and stick up for one another. When the two became one, we feel each other’s pain, and help each other. Tom has helped me and lifted me up countless times. It’s my turn. Thank you God, for twenty-nine years of a wonderful marriage, not perfect, but blessed.

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24, NKJV

Love you all,

Meghan

Photo credit: Meghan E. White

Just for fun and a few laughs, a quote from The Princess Bride, one of Tom’s favorite movies. If you’ve never seen it you won’t get it. The rest of us get it.

The Impressive Clergyman:

“Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us together today. Mawage, that blessed awangement, that dweam wifin a dweam. And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva. So tweasure your wuv.”

God

Be Still

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I’ve never been good at sitting still. Not that I’m hyper or anything, I just would rather be doing something. I like to get stuff done. I’m pretty much always working on a task, whether big or small. When the Lord tells me to be still I pay attention. Being still sounds like you need to be laying around, doing absolutely nothing. That’s not the case.

Being still is stopping what we are doing in our attempts to fix something we cannot fix, then placing our faith, focus, hearts, and minds on God. He is in control and He will take care of whatever is concerning us. The NASB says, “Cease striving”; that really speaks to me. The Lord is telling me, “Stop! I’ll handle it. I am God and you are not”.

The first part of Psalm 46 gives great insight into verse 10.

1 God is our refuge and strength,

a very present help in trouble.

2 Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way,

though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,

3 though its waters roar and foam,

though the mountains tremble at its swelling. Selah (ESV)

God is sovereign over everything. We do not have to fear. He will help us and He is right here in our times of trouble. Because of His power, authority, and glory we can stop our feeble attempts to remedy a situation and trust Him to take care of whatever problems are before us.

There is nothing in this world that will bring the safety and security that God does. He is our refuge. Only He can fix the unfixable. Only He can heal, restore, and provide what we cannot. He is Almighty God. He reigns over all. He will be exalted.

“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!” Psalm 46:10, ESV

Nothing surprises God. What puzzles us is permitted by our Lord, for reasons too profound to grasp. It is put together in the counsel of His own will so that it fits perfectly into His plan for His glory and His purposes. As His servant, I say in response, “I will not fear. Though I don’t understand it, I will not fear. Though You take something that’s deeply significant to me, though You allow a catastrophe to strike, I will not fear. I will not blame, I will not doubt, and I will not question.

Charles R. Swindoll, Bedside Blessings

Be still, and know that He is God.

Love you all,

Meghan

Heavenly Father,

You reign over all. You are awesome Holy God. Help us Father, to trust You when facing difficult situations. Nothing is too hard for You to handle. Strengthen, protect, and provide for our needs. Thank you for your constant presence, and willingness to help us in our times of trouble. Help us God, to be still and remember how mighty You are. There is none like You. For anyone facing difficulties right now, help them to let go of their troubles, that they have no power to fix on their own, and place them in Your mighty hands. We love you God, and we praise Your holy name.

Amen

Parenting

My Nest Has a Vacancy

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In the spring while trimming one of our wax myrtles I discovered this beautiful bird’s nest. There were no eggs, and not a bird to be found. This humble home was built with care and then abandon. This bird even used plastic, as well as twigs and grass, now that’s resourceful. The things we do for our offspring.

We do so much to prepare our nests for the arrival of our sweet little ones. Getting a crib or bassinet, buying diapers, clothes and toys, all in anticipation of a precious new baby. We clean the nest, maybe even build a new one, all in preparing for the blessed addition to our families.

It’s difficult to prepare for the time when the little baby bird grows up and leaves the nest. Instead of baby clothes, it’s stuff for their dorm room or apartment, or wherever they are going. Except this time it’s not for the nest, it’s for their new lives. The nest is not needed in the same way anymore.

I don’t know if you ever feel completely ready, as a parent, for your child to leave the nest. Maybe for some, they are ready to kick their teenage birds out, not me. But, it’s definitely time to spread those wings and fly.

We moved my youngest son into his dorm room at college this week. He was ready. I was sort of ready, but sort of not. I kept thinking of all the things I didn’t tell him, or teach him. What about this? What about that? Oh, I forgot to tell him …… fill in the blank. It’s letting go, and it’s not easy, at least for me.

I’ve done this before, but it’s different with the youngest. This is the last time to send a kid to college. It’s very exciting, and I am so happy for Joshua, and all the experiences and opportunities that wait for him. However, my mind starts to worry, which is not good. It’s my default, and the Lord has patiently taught me over the years how not to worry, and trust Him.

I’m singing a new song, “Let It Go!”. But my version is, “Let him go, let him go, into the Lord’s perfect care,” or something like that. I know that my Heavenly Father has my son in the palms of His very capable hands. I have peace, and I am truly happy for him. My old habits want to come back, but this time I’m saying, “No!” to worry and fear. I’m saying, “Yes!” to the Lord and His purpose and plan.

Fly little bird. Spread those gorgeous wings and see what you can do.

But those who wait upon the LORD will renew their strength; they will mount up with wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not faint. Isaiah 40:31

Love you all,

Meghan

Perseverance

Press On

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Are you ready to give up? You have faced obstacle, after obstacle, with no end in sight. Your legs are cramping up, breathing is difficult. Winning looks impossible, and finishing your race seems unlikely. You slow down, wipe your brow, and wipe your tears. It’s over. Or is it?

In the summer of 1972, Munich was hosting the Olympics. One race in particular stands out for the extraordinary win from an American named Dave Wottle. Eight men lined up for the 800 meter race and took off running, except Dave had a slow start and was lagging pretty far behind. He had been dealing with tendinitis in his knees which interfered with his training. Things were not looking good for Dave. He later admitted to some fear, and even thinking there was no way he was going to catch up to the other runners.

Something incredible happened in those two short laps where Dave Wottle started out way behind. He began to get closer and closer to the pack, eventually meeting the other runners, and then pressing on right past them. Dave just continued on and worked his way up to the leaders of the pack and at the last second, Dave was the first to cross the finish line. Amazing!! Dave Wottle won the gold medal that day.

Dave’s hard work, determination, and training paid off. He pressed on in spite of how bad his race looked, and he won. What if he would have given up? We would not be talking about him right now, and he would be quickly forgotten. What a fantastic example to us, to keep going in our race in life.

Life is hard. Each of us has a race to run. As Christians we are not running our race alone. We’ve got Holy Spirit power. That doesn’t mean our race is any easier, it just means we’ve got supernatural help to pick us up when we fall. To strengthen, protect, empower, and encourage us when we just can’t take another step. We’ve got Jesus, and Father God leading and guiding us, helping us, and providing for our every need, and giving us purpose.

We don’t run our race to win a trophy, or get some sort of fame. We run the race set before us with confidence in our Lord. We don’t let our past mistakes hold us back, we keep focused on what is ahead, knowing we are forgiven through Jesus’ precious blood. We are heavenbound, and that is our prize.

Brothers and sisters, I do not consider myself yet to have taken hold of it. But one thing I do: Forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead, I press on toward the goal to win the prize for which God has called me heavenward in Christ Jesus. Philippians 3:13-14, NIV

Press on, brothers and sisters.

Love you all,

Meghan

Check out Dave’s unbelievable win.

Photo credit: Meghan E. White

Food

Peach and Tomato Salad

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It’s peach and tomato season. Why not use them together in your next salad? This combination may sound weird, but I assure you that it’s delicious! Sweet juicy peaches with flavorful tomatoes are a winning pair. They compliment each other beautifully when tossed in a simple oil and vinegar dressing. The addition of red onion and basil balance out the sweetness from the fruit. It’s a fantastic mix of flavors.

This salad would go well with grilled steak or salmon. The light refreshing fruit and tangy dressing are a nice contrast to savory meat. Perfect for a summer meal, or any time of the year. If you love salad and want to try something new, then this peach and tomato salad may just be your new go to side in the warm months.

Happy Eating!

If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the Spirit. Galatians 5:25

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Peach and Tomato Salad

Ingredients

4 large peaches – sliced into wedges

3 large tomatoes – sliced into wedges

½ red onion – sliced thin

¼ cup fresh basil leaves chopped

2 Tbsp. olive oil

1 ½ Tbsp. apple cider vinegar

1 Tbsp. agave nectar or honey

Salt and pepper to taste

Instructions 

  1. In a large bowl whisk together olive oil, apple cider vinegar, agave, and salt and pepper.
  2. Add peaches, tomatoes, red onion, and fresh basil. Toss everything together. Serve and enjoy!

Notes 

  • Use your favorite tomato: Roma, beefsteak, heirloom, etc. 
  • Place the sliced red onions in a small bowl of cold water for 30 minutes, then drain them, before adding to the peach/tomato mixture. This will reduce the bitterness. 
  • Use honey or sugar instead of agave if you prefer. 
  • Let the tomatoes sit in a separate bowl to drain some of the water before adding them with the peaches.
  • This salad is best served fresh but will last up to a day in the refrigerator. 

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Photo Credit: Meghan E. White