Yesterday marked two years since my dad has been gone. Two years that have changed me, that have changed my family. Just nine days ago marked the one year anniversary of Keith’s dad passing. Two very important people in our lives, two of the wisest men I have ever known, two of the hardest working men, gone so quickly.

I still sometimes can’t believe it. I feel like these last two years have flown by like a flash. These two years have been full of emotions, sad and happy. We have had many celebrations in this short time along with heartache. In these two years though, through the trials, the Lord has grown us and stretched me and my family through it. Through these trials we have felt God’s presence like never before. He pulled us so close that we could feel Him. We definitely had low points but they truly taught me that it is not always about feeling His presence but knowing and believing He is there, having faith. This was a time of faith building for us. God was so good to us through it all. We had so many great moments during this time. One in particular was praying with my dad, which I had never done before, these are the times I will cherish forever. We were able to experience the presence of God in a hospital room like never before with Keith’s dad, it was prayer & worship in an ICU room. We had so many of these moments we will never forget.

There were so many emotions during all of this but one thing stayed the same, God was always there whether we felt Him or not and His goodness, oh He is good. Those days I couldn’t feel His presence made me long for Him more, pray more, worship more. I know I need God and His presence more than anything. Now I know and understand Romans 5:3-4, if we will allow, He can grow us, develop our endurance and character through any trial. Allow God to be with you during sorrow, during happiness, through it all. If you don’t feel His presence, keep seeking, keep worshiping.

We rejoice because of all He did through the trial. We rejoice because of those precious moments He allowed us to have. We rejoice because He is so good!

I pray this can encourage anyone facing hard times right now. God is so good, Know when you seek Him you will find Him, God is with you. Keep praying, keep worshiping!

Thank you Lord for the blessing of family. Lord help us to never take our loved ones for granted. Thank you Lord for your goodness and faithfulness.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Michelle