Everyone knows life has its ups and downs. Right now mine is on an ‘up’! Eight months ago my husband, kids and I followed God’s direction and moved back to England after three amazing years in Canada. It was – and still is – a wrench to be away from people there whom we love very much. But our God is so faithful, and He has blessed us so much.
- My husband recently got a job that he LOVES, and it’s going well (he’s had a series of not very nice jobs before this).
- We moved into a flat on our own for the first time in nearly nine years (that’s an ‘apartment’ for those of you on the other side of the Atlantic).
- We joined a local homeschool club, and the kids and I have both made lots of wonderful new friends.
- I have ministry opportunities in my church here which allow me to use the skills I learnt in Canada, but in a way which doesn’t encroach on my time at home so much.
- I now have more time to focus on raising my kids and tending my home.
My precious kiddies on a walk with our homeschool club.
I’ll stop there, but you get the picture: God blesses us daily!
Sometimes people say it’s hard to praise God when times are tough, as you are so frustrated; Sometimes people say it’s hard to praise God when times are good, as you are so distracted. But I want to praise God whatever my situation, just like it says in 1 Thessalonians 5:18, “give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.
Choosing a favourite song is very hard for me, but when pressed, there is one song that I come back to again and again: ‘Blessed be Your name’ by Matt Redman. I love the simplicity of this song – whether your life is going great or you feel like it’s crashing down, you can still praise God. You can listen to it here, and I’ll leave you with the lyrics to dwell on:
Blessed Be Your Name
In the land that is plentiful
Where Your streams of abundance flow
Blessed be Your name
Blessed Be Your name
When I’m found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed Be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
Blessed be Your name
When the sun’s shining down on me
When the world’s ‘all as it should be’
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be Your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there’s pain in the offering
Blessed be Your name
Every blessing You pour out
I’ll turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be Your glorious name
You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, blessed be Your name
Writing on the Doorposts 