Isaiah 42

10Sing to the LORD a new song, his praise from the ends of the earth, you who go down to the sea, and all that is in it, you islands, and all who live in them.

11 Let the desert and its towns raise their voices; let the settlements where Kedar lives rejoice. Let the people of Sela sing for joy; let them shout from the mountaintops.

12 Let them give glory to the LORD and proclaim his praise in the islands.

13 The LORD will march out like a mighty man, like a warrior he will stir up his zeal; with a shout he will raise the battle cry and will triumph over his enemies.

14 "For a long time I have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant.

15 I will lay waste the mountains and hills and dry up all their vegetation; I will turn rivers into islands and dry up the pools.

16 I will lead the blind by ways they have not known, along unfamiliar paths I will guide them; I will turn the darkness into light before them and make the rough places smooth. These are the things I will do; I will not forsake them.


I've clung to this passage for years..............


as over and over again I have felt the light go out and darkness overtake my soul;


as over and over again I have felt the paths before me were so unfamiliar that I couldn't find my way;


as over and over again the only sign I could see or hear from God was "Rough Roads Ahead...."

AND YET.....

over and over again God has kept His Word. He has always provided light in the midst of my darkness. He has always guided me along my unfamiliar paths. He has always smoothed the rough road ahead of me.

And so tonight as I look at Nick and wonder what is going on inside of him, I am thankful for how God has brought him this far! I am thankful for how he is walking so well and climbing up stairs! I am thankful that he went to a movie yesterday with Tim and to Fazolis and to an ice cream shop. I am thankful that Monday we are traveling to Nashville to watch the Titans play the Colts! I am thankful for laughter tonight as we watched a movie at home and as Olivia and her little friend Maddie did a funny dance for us. I am thankful for Todd's fun night at homecoming. I am thankful that Evan is home from college for the weekend. I am thankful that Erich has been home so many times this week to play games with Nick. I am thankful for countless friends who encourage me and pray for me. I am thankful for a husband who is loving and kind. I am thankful for a church and a town that support our family so faithfully.

And the list goes on and on and on and on.

So, as hard as it is at times to not have a panic attack or break down and cry, I am clinging to God's promises that absolutely never fail! As I see the sign, "Rough Road Ahead," I hear God say, "Trust Me for I will keep My Word...Again......."