Never more than we can handle

So, this topic has been floating around in my brain for a while.  I'm pretty sure I'm not going to do justice tonight, but I wanted to get out some of my thoughts.  Certainly, I will revisit this at a later date as well.

Don't you wonder sometimes, how you look through God's eyes? I would like to just glimpse what He sees when he looks at me.  How many times I (and I'm sure you too) have heard "God never gives us more than we can handle". And, as many times, I have thought - "Really?! 'Cause I don't think I can handle this, or that..." But He must see more in me than I do. Some strength that I just don't realize is there.  And, of course, He's right. Things I never imagined living through, or stuff I would have rather NOT lived through, I have survived. I have suceeded, so to speak. And, without His hand, His guidance, I would not have.  It's really bigger than I can get my head around a lot of the time. The human in me never fails to "forget" to give credit where credit is due though. Its a good thing the Father looks past that!

Its not just my life, and my journey that He has a hand on though.  This year has been such an awakening for our family.  And not just the 6 of us under this roof.  I think of the family members who have had to deal with more than they thought possible - good and bad this year.  And, some of them, just aren't ready to hear that God is carrying them, that He is NOT giving them too much to bear - because it just hurts so bad, and the burden is SO heavy. Others embrace with grace the trials of life, knowing that HE is with them, they are amazing examples of life lived faithfully. I am learning daily from each of them. And I can see so much more clearly God's workings. While I still question, still doubt, I am learning to just let go. Learning being the key word. I still have so very far to go.

My faith workout is just as important as my physical workout. In fact, its MORE important.  Maybe thats why... you don't get stronger without exercise... 

God will never give you more than you can handle.  Learning it, living it. Every day, every step.

Vacation, kinda.

I am enjoying the last few hours of some much needed time off from work.  Because Paul's actual homecoming date was something we weren't sure of, I didn't know how to schedule a "normal" vacation for us.  I didn't know if he could get time off if he was home, or, if he would even be here if I planned something.  So, we didn't make any real plans.  I took a week off from work, but we stayed home.  My mom and sister were at the cottage that we've gone to since the beginning of time... (beginning of my time anyway - there has not been a year without it in my lifetime!) so the kids and I were able to spend most of the week with them.  Paul decided to work most of the week - and just sitting around at the cottage isn't his thing, so it was probably a good choice.  He did spend the weekend there with us, and he took a day off too. And since the kids and I stayed home, we were still able to see him.  All in all, it was a good week. 

We started our "stay"cation with a fun dinner with some good friends, and ended it yesterday with a mini-reunion with friends we haven't seen in about 13 years. So, along with some fun family time, we enjoyed some friend time too.  Mark and Mark (and later their wives) were a huge part of our "pre-kid" years, and reconnecting was so much fun!

If I looked hard enough, I am sure I could find some mullet-filled pics of "back in the day". And here they are married, dads.  Back then, we could never have imagined it!  It was fun to see our kids get to know each other too - we don't live close, and visits may not happen often (we plan to get together sooner than 13 years from now!) - but making new friends, and keeping in touch with the old ones is so important!

Its been a busy week. Busier than our vacations normally are. But in a good way. We are all together, all healthy. This summer, I can't ask for more than that!