we all need encouragement

I'm hurting today. I mentioned in my post yesterday that my knees were acting up, and my right one is now the worst it's ever been. Being a stay-at-home mom to two kids - ages 2 and 4 - isn't easy when the pain of walking from one room to the next can take your breath away. And having all three of us sick with head colds certainly doesn't make it any easier.

To be honest, I don't have much to offer right now. I'm feeling pretty depleted. Some days God strengthens me in spite my rheumatoid arthritis, and some days He uses RA to empty me so that He can fill me again. Right now I'm feeling as if I'm being emptied. How encouraging it is to know that He is faithful to fill me once more with His goodness and strength!

In all this, I am thankful for friends who God uses to encourage me, friends who send me messages like this:

I am praying for your heart first and your knees next. Don't go the pity party route... please!!! You know that won't accomplish anything, so don't buy the lie. I am super-angry at the enemy for attacking you. And I'm telling Jesus all about it.

And friends who write words like these:

 I’m weeping with you, and KNOW that God will bolster you

And these:

I am so sorry you are hurting. I am praying for you. Let me know what the rheumatologist says. Love you!

Special needs ministry is often about encouraging people who have found themselves in circumstances they wouldn't have chosen if it had been up to them. And about pointing to a God who is sovereign over all things, even if we don't understand His ways.

How can you encourage someone else today?

I believe that I shall look upon the goodness of the LORD
   in the land of the living!
Wait for the LORD;
   be strong, and let your heart take courage;
   wait for the LORD!

{Psalm 27:13-14}