As an ordained minister, I’ve received numerous calls and emails from members of my church who were going through trials and storms in their lives.  I’ve prayed with them, cried with them, given Scripture and tried to offer whatever comfort and encouragement I could.

Those events affected me because I had some level of relationship with them.  But it’s a different experience when it comes to your house and the relationship is with someone you’ve loved over half your life.

Nothing ever prepares you for something like this, and it seems so surreal. Whenever we talk about it, it seems as if we’re talking about someone else.  This shouldn’t be happening to us. But, it is.

Now, I’m the one who is reaching out asking for prayer instead of the other way around. I must admit, in many ways this has been a humbling experience.

There’s a different air in our house now. I think our family has grown closer these past four days than we have in the past four years. For that, I’m thankful.

Is it possible to be thankful in troubling times?

“My brethren, count it all joy when you fall into various trials, knowing that the testing of your faith produces patience. But let patience have its perfect work, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking nothing.” – James 1:2-4 NKJV