I write this weekly email from Delnor Hospital. I am waiting for my mother-in-law to return from surgery after breaking her hip from a fall on Wednesday night. At the same time my wife is in the New Life Maternity section of the hospital having some tests and preparing for the delivery of our twins next Tuesday.
We appreciate all your prayers. There has been an incredible outpouring of love and support. We have had more offers for help than we could ever possibly take advantage of. We are so blessed by all of you.
One thing is for certain – there are some big changes ahead for the Ressler household. We have some new challenges ahead of us. But we trust in God’s promises and know he holds the future in his hands. There is no reason to worry. Jesus told us in the Sermon on the Mount that worrying does us no good. We can’t add a single hour to our lIfe by doing so. God tells us to let him take care of the worrying. Although we know God doesn’t worry.
I recently learned a new word. This word is catharsis. Actually it is not a new word for me but maybe the first time I have pondered this word. Catharsis is defined as the process of releasing, and thereby providing relief from, strong or repressed emotions.
We have all had such moments. These moments are a spark. Something changes. We see the world and the people around us in a new way. We have a renewed sense of urgency for the mission of God in this world.
When life pushes in from all corners God uses it as a way of refining us to use us in an even greater way. I have often talked with people who have gone through a difficult time of struggle, but during that time of stubble they pressed in on the Lord in prayer like never before. As a result they connected with God in a way like never before and grew a deeper intimacy with him that could never be taken away.
The challenge for us is to see the obstacles before us as God sees them. We may see them as obstacles, but God sees them as opportunities. What challenges are you facing that are actually opportunities for God to mold you into an incredible testimony of his grace?
