A lot of fun things have happened in the past month that would all be fun to blog about... for example: we now know the sex of Baby Stevenson #2 (but I'll be mean and make you wait a little longer before I announce that here!), Lucy and I just spent a week in Texas visiting my family (I'll also make you wait just a bit before I post pictures from that trip), my sister and her husband (in partnership with his brother) are now in business roasting and selling fair-trade coffee from all over the world (www.marksbrotherscoffee.com) and we've been having some nice spring-like weather here in Des Moines that has been oh-so delightful and blog-worthy.
However, before jumping in and posting details of all these, I'm feeling the need to take a few minutes to meditate a bit on the "surprises" that Darin and I have experienced in the past few years.
I put the word surprise in quotations, because I've been thinking about how the things that come as "surprises" to us are no surprise to God. There may be unknowns for us but there are no unknowns for Him!
I'm currently pondering...
... it was a surprise to us that we'd have difficulty becoming parents in the way and timing we had perhaps expected, but it wasn't a surprise to God!
... it was a surprise to us that after approximately 24 months of hoping for a child, that we'd learn with 3 months notice that Lucy would join our family, but it wasn't a surprise to God!
... it was a surprise to us that I would end up pregnant with our second child only 7 months after welcoming our first into the family, but it wasn't a surprise to God!
And most recently, it was a surprise to us that Darin was suddenly laid off from his job three days ago (Monday of this week) but I'm finding peace in the fact that it is no surprise to God. The outcomes of the past surprises we've experienced so far as a family, have been beautiful and better that what we "planned". We believe it will be no different in this circumstance.
We would appreciate your prayers, though, for continued peace and direction for our future.
"Therefore I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or drink; or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more important than food, and the body more important than clothes? Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?"
Matthew 6: 25-26
6 comments:
Love and prayers to you, Erika...
and I'm excited hear whether Lucy will have a little brother or a little sister.
That is one of my favorite bible verses. Here is another one that I cling to during difficult times,
We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Romans 5:3-5
I am praying for you, Darin, and Lucy during this time. However, you are right; it was not a surprise to God and He has great things in store for your family. I CANNOT wait to hear the news about whether Lucy is going to have a brother or a sister. :) You should have a poll where people make guesses.
Love you,
Katie
One of my favorites: "These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world." -John 16:33
I love the reminder that what He does and how He works is not apart from "tribulation in the world" yet He calls us to some kind of crazy peace. Praying it for you along with comfort, wisdom, insight, and blessing. Love you so much!
Oh Erika, sorry you are going through the loss of a job. Sam and I will be praying for you and Darin while you wait for a new job and direction.
Hey, Erika ~ so sorry to read of your recent job news. I know things will work out for you! Glad things are going well with baby #2 and know Lucy will love her baby sibbling!
You and your beautiful family are in our prayers. Isn't it so wonderful to know that you're part of a body of believers who will be there when the chips fall? We love you!
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