In the Gap

Almost exactly 48 hours ago I got some very bad news. Very bad news about someone's very bad choices. And for the next 42 hours I allowed that information to define who I am. I allowed the bigness of this situation to drown out the bigness of God. Until this morning, when two things happened that changed my perspective.

The first was an email from a friend. This is what she said:

There is a mom in your future who needs this story. There is a son in your son's future that needs your son's story. Our everyday situations aren't about us. God doesn't get the glory when we fall apart. God gets the glory when we come through the battle, wounded, but determined to stand and walk to the finish line. There are future ministries for both of you that need the experience of this moment in time. Now, granted, God didn't make this happen. We know the enemy is having a hayday over this, but truth is, that God can and WILL use it for His glory and His purposes.

The second thing that happened was worship time in church this morning. Every song spoke to me. Especially the Chris Tomlin song How Great Is Our God, with the line: Darkness trembles at his voice. That song reminded me to cover my son in prayer. Satan cannot triumph or even exist in the presence of light. Why was I listening to the lies instead of banishing him from my presence? Sometimes it is hard to remember who we are fighting and what the weapons are.

Thank you to a friend who let me fall apart on her porch briefly, then prayed all the things I couldn't remember to pray. Thank you to a long distance friend who spoke truth to me. Thank you for a sister who checked in several times over the weekend. Thank you, LORD, for sending me all these people to stand in the gap, to remind me that I am not alone.