It’s The First Blog in Forever!

Today is Ash Wednesday, the first day of Lent, when Christians all over the world decide to give up something for the next 40 days as we look forward to Easter. It kinda snuck up on me, oddly enough. This morning I was wondering, “What can I give up for Lent?” The question hit me harder than it usually does.

What else can I afford to lose?

It’s been nearly four years since we left Italy, and almost everything in my life has changed since then. In the last 3 1/2 years, I have:

lived in three different houses (in two different states)

buried two cats

gained two cats

attempted service dog training with three different dogs

crocheted approximately 300 scarves, hats, and/or blankets

registered my children at 7 different schools

driven 3 different vehicles

had 3 different paying jobs

watched my husband fight daily against PTSD

been on food stamps

lost my “Army wife” status.

So while things are getting better, please tell me, what am I supposed to give up for Lent? What else can I afford to lose?

And then the answer comes, gently, as it always does.

Myself.

Jesus said we must deny ourselves daily, take up the cross, and follow Him. (Matthew 16:24)

So each day I have to focus once more on what God has provided

We own a house for the very first time.

I have a job. And we are paying all the bills. And we can still eat.

The car works. Mostly.

The kids are in good schools.

The fight agains PTSD? We have many allies.
I’m still the wife of that handsome soldier. Oops…veteran.

Shifting focus is hard. And it hurts. Because we have lost a lot; there’s no point in denying it. But God is still with us. Still holding us. Still sustaining us.

Still living.

So for anyone still reading…remember that God is still here.