It’s amazing how God works. I know I say that a lot, but I really do believe it. I see it in my life and the lives of others. My life has not always been a picnic. More often than not, I’ve had challenges and some of them have been huge. But you know what? I still see God at work. I don’t always understand the things that go on, I don’t claim to know God’s plan, but I do see Him working in my life.

Sunday was Easter, which is of course the happiest day! It is about God’s sacrifice and the gift of eternal life. It is about Spring and family and renewal.

At the table, we talked about a lot of things. I really enjoyed our time because it was sweet and lovely and just filled with light. You know? It was a fun day and I enjoyed the conversations and having that time with my family. I love these people!

One of the topics that came up was raccoons. Ya’ll know we had our challenges with them and they are adorable as heck but vicious! And then, as I write this today I see this old post of mine pop up from a couple years ago dedicated to my pal Sandie Bricker. I re-read the post and was reminded once again of how she always brought things back to God. She was a dedicated witness for Him and her heart was so filled with Jesus that when she passed away, I was extremely sad but also knew that she was with her Savior, and that brought me comfort.

She had commented here and there on my blog, and one of the comments was about my first trip to the ACFW conference and how, because of challenges like raccoons eating through our roof and trees falling in the yard (!) I had been delayed a couple times in going but had finally made it there.

She said:

Cherie, this was a charming read! Any of us who have been doing it for a while can really relate to your first-time flood of emotions. I also want to point out to you that, whenever the obstacles (like raccoons and falling trees!) pile up in front of you to keep you from something … it’s a good bet that God has a plan for you that will lead you in that direction eventually. ???? Hang in and keep at it! Welcome to the club.

These words of hers: “whenever the obstacles (like raccoons and falling trees!) pile up in front of you to keep you from something … it’s a good bet that God has a plan for you that will lead you in that direction eventually. ???? Hang in and keep at it!” stood out for me.

Too often, I do let obstacles keep me from thinking that I am on the right path. God has his timing and if things don’t work out at the time, I have to remember that His plan is different. She reminded me of that on the day I wrote that original post and today, as I wrote this one. Her words still left an impact, even two and a half years after she died. Because her contribution, that of pointing us to God, is lasting and even better, God is eternal.

Talking about those raccoons over the weekend brought up the flood of emotions we had when we had to replace our roof because of them. It made me remember how sad I was that things we planned for got pushed away, again. It brought up emotions about infertility and family and loneliness, because during the time we were getting hit with one challenge after another, we were dealing with all these things. And yet, here I was, years later, celebrating this beautiful day of Easter with my family, with a heart filled with gratitude, without loneliness. While we still (and will always) have challenges (because that is the human life), in these moments I could see God working. I know He was guiding me. I know He is with me.