Always, Sometimes, Never...

Recently, my daughter, a high school senior, has been working her way through the challenge of geometry. On some of the tests, she has been given a section made up of several statements. Her job has been to determine if these statements regarding rectangles, triangles, circles, tangents, or secants are:
          always true,
                    sometimes true, or
                              never true.

As I have been once again processing through the events of January 2014,
I have thought of several always, sometimes, and never true statements which I could make.

My precious husband may have crossed that proverbial line between worlds that day,
but much more can be expressed about this event than just that one hard, cold fact.

My statements of truth:

It is ALWAYS true that:

…there is grace enough for each and every challenge I am called to meet.
…some things just really don’t matter as much as they used to.

…if God asks it of me, He will walk through it with me.

…my kids are forgiving, patient, and resilient!

…tragedies bring really good people to the forefront.
…there are many such good people in my circles!
…I highly treasure my friends!

…family matters!
…we are truly loved!

…we are blessed beyond measure!

…God keeps His promises!

It is SOMETIMES true that:

…I have days where I feel inadequate, weak, and under qualified for my role.
…I have days where God helps me feel confident, energetic, and equipped!

…I look backward, remembering the sweet moments of my “past life” as wife and care giver.
…I look to the present, enjoying the gift of each and every moment with my children!
…I look to the future, praying for God’s guidance for us all…

…I question God’s purpose for my being the one “left behind.”
…I feel overwhelmed and humbled by the opportunities to which God has directed me!

…I let people down – I don’t meet their expectations…or my own.
…I find the courage to lay aside those expectations and rest in God’s leadership of my life.

…dark and horrible days still occur.
…God’s presence is a bit hard to find.
…the demon of depression still haunts me.

…the dark days enable me to speak with compassion to
               deep hurt in another person’s life!

It is NEVER true that:

…there is no purpose for my existence.
…my family has abandoned me.
…I have lost ALL faith and hope.
…I am worthless and useless.
…God has forsaken me.

…I am totally alone.

Praise the Lord!!!!

At times, the devil works to confuse me and
he puts these statements in the wrong categories.

But as I’m taking this Life Test, I find it imperative to keep the "facts straight!"

This little song helps with that.
It is my song for 2018:

All of my conflicts, all my thoughts,

Jesus is Lord of all.

His love wins the battles I could not have fought;

Jesus is Lord of all.

All of my longings, all my dreams,
Jesus is Lord of all.

All of my failures His power redeems.
Jesus is Lord of all.

King of kings, Lord of lords,

Jesus is Lord of all.

All my possessions and all my life,

Jesus is Lord of all.

William J. Gaither and Gloria Gaither

Resting firmly in this sweet thought tonight,

Praise the Lord; praise God our savior!

For each day he carries us in his arms.

Psalm 68:19