He is I AM....

In the last 2 weeks our area has been hit with tragedy and loss and heartache and much sadness.  It started with a little girl from my church who has been in a battle for her life.  Ten years old, and has already endured more than most of us will ever have to in our lives.  BUT GOD has been faithful.  We have seen His hand at work in her life, bringing healing and strength even in the darkest moments.  We have watched her parents display the power of God at work in their lives by how they have allowed Him to take control.  They are walking in supernatural strength and peace.  He is and has been all of everything they needed at every moment they needed it.

Then tragedy struck last week as a young mom and her two children were in a fatal car crash that took the mom's life.  It has left our little community in shock.  The 2 children are in the same grade as sweet Greer I spoke of above.  They all attend the same school.  I can't imagine the depth of pain this family feels as they have lost their mom and wife.  I can't imagine the thoughts and fears that some of the children at this school may be facing by all that has happened.  BUT GOD has been shown faithful through it all.  The 2 girls are recovering.  While they still have a long road ahead of them as they bury their mother soon, I am confident that God will show Himself strong to them.  I am confident that they will walk in a supernatural peace that only He can give. 

Our area has also lost 2 other people recently.  One was a high school friend, died a sudden and unexpected death.  His family has suffered loss.  BUT GOD has shown Himself to them.  When I saw them at his visitation I was astounded at the peace they were walking in.  Only God can give that kind of peace.  And then just a few short days ago our community lost another sweet soul to a long fought battle with brain cancer.  Her family stood by her through it all.  They showed what it means to love.  They have been examples of God's strength at work.  GOD has been all they need exactly when they needed it.  And today they lay her sweet soul to rest.  I can't imagine the sadness they are feeling today, but also the joy of knowing their beloved is in the arms of Jesus.

In times like this, nothing BUT GOD can sustain.  He supplies the peace, the strength, the healing, everything we need to take another step...to take another breath.  He becomes all we need, just when we need it.  I have watched this community step up.  Everyday I see post after post of people praying and posting scripture on facebook in regards to what is happening.  And I can't help but think that God is in the process of doing something great through the midst of all these tragedies.  We have truly learned what it means to pray without ceasing as we are constantly lifting up our friends and family who are dealing with such sadness and grief.  We have been brought to our knees.  We have been shown that we never know when our last breath on this earth will be, or our friends, our children, our family. 

Now, more than ever, we are being called to a higher purpose.  It's time to seek after God with all of our hearts.  We seek Him in good times, and we seek Him in the bad.  He becomes the joy in our good times, and then He becomes the strength and endurance and peace in the bad.  He is everything we need.  We must but call upon His name. 

What do you seek of the Lord today?  Do you need comfort?  He says I AM your comfort.  Do you need strength?  He says I AM your strength.  Do you need peace?  He says I AM your peace.  Do you need healing?  He says I AM your healing.  Rest today knowing that HE IS I AM and there is NOTHING too difficult for our God.

Stacy