2 Chronicles 20.15 – This is what the Lord says to you: ‘Do not be afraid or discouraged because of this vast army. For the battle is not yours, but God’s.

Today is not a day where I am going to say that I feel discouraged and afraid. Today is not a day where I am going to focus on myself. But rather I want to openly proclaim a message of thanks to people who are helping me come through a difficult spot, and are still supporting me even when their own situations are difficult.

It is by God’s grace that we can be healed and it is by God’s grace that we can overcome difficult situations.  Sometimes when there is so much tension between you and the world – the only option you have is to withdraw so that you don’t lose the friendship, but preserve it from further damage.

God brings us people into our lives – ones that will not give up on us. Even when the going gets tough. Even when there seems to be a battle. Thank you to my spiritual father (Jules) for your unwavering support over the last two and a half years. Thank you for not giving up on me when I didn’t see a way forward. Thank you for your encouragement, for seeing my potential. Thank you for showing me that I can make something out of my life. That I can turn my dysfunction into something positive. That I don’t have to let the dysfunction define me for who I am. Thank you for showing me hope in the middle of a storm.  Thank you for your beautiful music that has helped me come to a place of sweet surrender.

It is by God’s grace that we are able to live amongst strangers like family. That we can be an encouragement to one another. That we can be a blessing to one another. That we can be a support for one another. I am grateful that I have a place of refuge, where I can just withdraw into myself and be still before the Lord. Thank you for your home, and for your dogs. Thank you for the place of rest where I can relearn to connect with myself and God. Thank you Erika and Armin.

Thank you Jim for not giving up on me, for talking to me and for encouraging me. Thank you Esther for not giving up on me, for listening to me and for encouraging me. Thank you Els for not giving up on me, for always praying for me. For leading me to Jesus all those years ago. Thank you Sharon for believing in me and encouraging me. Thank you Jonathan and Natascha for believing in me and not giving up on me.

Thank you Jesus for taking our struggles and putting them on your own shoulders, for helping me to receive healing and your peace. Thank you for your love and comfort.  Thank you God for your love and grace in my life.

It is God’s grace that brings people together to form a support network, to form a type of family where you can be a support and encouragement to one another, and know that you are loved unconditionally even if things go wrong, even when you have a low season.

It is God’s love that you see through these people who have reached out a hand to me during what I would say is one of the hardest periods of my life since my son died.  I am grateful that I have people I can rely on, that there are people who want to support me, people who haven’t given up on me.  Thank you is all I can really say, and I want you all to know that I cherish it in my heart.

I cherish each one of you, and pray that God will bless you each in return. May you have the courage to live for God and focus your attention on God. It is well with my soul.