Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. John 15:4 ESV
Last February, freezing temperatures brought snow and ice covering parts of Texas. We lost power and water for several days. Our home runs only on electricity, was not a safe haven for us.
The upstairs fell to 38 degrees one night.
My husband and children gathered tree branches and wood from our property. He used an old metal garbage can to burn a fire for us.
We stood close to the fire’s warmth, for as long as we could. The heat was a temporary rest from the work we needed to do over the fire.
Gather snow and icicles to melt.
Look through the fridge and cupboards to discover a meal I could cook in a pot.
Boil clean water to make hot cocoa for the girls.
Jesus tells us he is closer to us and we are closer to him than that fire was. As odd as it may sound, if we know him, love him, and devote our lives to him, he is in us and we are in him.
This news is 1,000 times better than having to return to the fire pit for warmth, comfort, and provision.
Jesus is available to us all day every day. His availability is right where we are if we choose him.
Because he is the way to peace, hope, love, joy, and eternity.
During the storm, the nights were the worst. Going to bed as the sun went down, clothed in my warmest winter gear, laying in my sleeping bag, covered in extra blankets on our bed, I knew the same survival mindset would be needed for the next day.
Was I afraid? Yes.
But I also had moments of peace, hope, love, and joy, knowing who has me eternally.
I am his and he is mine.
Comments:
Would you share a tough time Jesus got you through? What an encouragement it would be!
“Scripture quotations are from The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.”
Cancer. Twice. Precancer once.
Dianne, thank you for sharing about your journey with cancer. I imagine Christ comforted you often in those times.
I got interrupted and had to end my comment shorter than I wanted to. The first time was the hardest, in part because I was a young mother at the time. The greatest comfort was God’s help in keeping me balanced and faithful. This doesn’t mean that I didn’t question Him or get angry or feel confused or disillusioned, because I did at times. Probably more than I should have. But He always brought me back to a place of peace.
Being diagnosed while a mother of young children would be overwhelming. I am grateful you made it through, with Jesus and regained health.