Thankful

I know it's been a long time since we've posted, but today I wanted to share our thankfulness. Over the past year + since we came home unexpectedly from Uganda, we have struggled STRUGGLED.

I know I need to lift my eyes up

but I'm too weak

Life just won't let up

and I know that you can give me rest

so I cry out with all that I have left

{WORN}

But in the past few months we've felt the heavy sadness finally starting to lift from our hearts. Through the love and support of so many people, we have started to focus our eyes back on Christ and away from our circumstances. Some things have changed, but many things have not. The next year is again going to be hard, but for the first time in 15 months, our hearts are turned back to seeking God's will for our lives and our family. For that, and many other things, I am so thankful.

Thankful that God will never leave me or forsake me

Thankful that despite my circumstances, His promises are true

Thankful that He's given me a wonderfully flawed partner to do life with

Thankful for daughters that constantly challenge me to dig deeper, one intellectually, one emotionally

Thankful for a son who gives me a reason to smile every day

Thankful for a city with amazing medical care options

Thankful for a family that knows when to love on me and when to give me space

Thankful that when I could barely keep my head above water, He did.

His grace abounds in deepest waters

God's Into Details

I love to be reminded about how much God is involved and concerned about the details of our lives.

 {The LORD directs the steps of the godly. He delights in every detail of their lives}  I love this New Living Translation of Psalm 37:23!  It not only speaks to God's sovereignty, but also to His intimate concern for our lives. 

Last week was a tough one for our family.  Nothing major.  It just began our month long pace of an over-scheduled, over-extended life.  (If you need me any Monday, Thursday or Friday this month, I'll be at a football game. I hope my family doesn't expect to be fed!) In addition to our schedule craziness, we were helping a mission team from Hunter Street Baptist Church in Birmingham prepare to leave for Uganda, and all the logistics that entails, while watching with heavy hearts as they boarded a plane to somewhere we long to be. On top of all of  THAT we got a lot of disappointing news for our family and people that we love.  

But in the midst of all of this God kept wispering over and over again that He loves us, that He is moving mountains on our behalf and that like the disciples who were told to wait in the upper room for the Holy Spirit, we were being taught lessons in our waiting and would be overwhelmed by the power that would come upon us. 

Over and over again throughout the week, God sent people or experiences into our lives to remind us of His care.

One day it was a friend I went to kindergarten (KINDERGARTEN!!!) with and haven't seen since but have kept up with on Facebook, that emailed me out of the blue that he would be spending the next two hours praying for us at his church and wanted to know what specific things he could be praying for. {humbled}

Another day a high school friend we haven't seen or talked to in 16 years contacted us out of the blue wanting to donate to our trip. {overwhelmed}

Then two families from our Sunday School class contacted us just days apart to make final plans for two different fundraisers they were each planning on our behalf. {grateful}

On Saturday, while unloading luggage for the HSBC team at the curb of the airport, a stranger came up to us and asked where in Uganda we were going (my father-in-law was wearing his Muzungu shirt!).  Turns out he runs another organization that works in Uganda, reminding us that everywhere we go God is pointing us to Uganda. We had no reason to be sad that we weren't going on THIS trip because we ARE going! {such a God thing!}

To cap it all off, I was unexpectedly reminded of God's HUGE answer to a prayer.  Friday we celebrated our son, Wyatt, who has epilepsy, making it to ONE YEAR SEIZURE FREE!  I think our whole family had tried to purposefully forget what the date of a year seizure free would be, but God didn't want us to miss it!  Wyatt may have a seizure today, he may have one next week, but God still answered our specific request for one year without seizures. {awed by our Creator!}

I could go on for pages and pages telling you every way He reminded us of His promises just in those seven days. Thank you to each of you who allowed and continue to allow God use you to minister to us! There were several other bible verses, daily devotionals, sermons, emails, texts, facebook messages and conversations where God used His word and His children to encourage us, lift us up and renew our strength.

{But those that hope in the LORD will renew their strength.  They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint. - Isaiah 40:31}

Lord, help us to remember to place our hope in you.  None of this depends on us.  Thank you for loving us enough to not only be involved in our everyday lives, but also to give us a way back to you through the death of your son. We are so unworthy.   

P.S. Stay tuned for more details regarding upcoming fundraisers!  They will each involve something great for you while also  helping us reach our goal of Uganda! 

Standing Together

The idea of standing together was made real to me today.

In the midst of catchy phrases like "united we stand, divided we fall" or "one for all and all for one!" the true spirit of standing together with someone in the midst of their struggles is sometimes lost. Instead of a cheesy {but y'all know I LOOOVE cheesy!} overly dramatic idea, the reality is something holy.

"for where two or three are gathered in my name, there I AM with them" NIV MATTHEW 18:20

For the last couple of days I've been going through some major struggles emotionally & physically and on very short notice, today was declared to be the day for them to culminate.

I don't do well with confrontation and am a total people pleaser…though I'm trying really hard to change that into being at God pleaser! :) When people say they are sick with worry, or anxiety, I have a newfound understanding. I was absolutely so anxious about this meeting today that I was angry, upset, and seconds from loosing my lunch in my van!

It might sound silly, but in the midst of this absolutely out of control moment, my current favorite song came on the radio. {HERE IN THIS MOMENT BY BECKAH SHAE, Love it! You can hear it by clicking the link to the right of this post.}

Here in this moment. With. You. Amazing!

I had no idea at the time that Wes had asked you all to pray for me. But I truly felt your prayers.

The meeting went better than I could have ever imagined. I entered it surrounded in peace and left in peace.

You were standing with me. And as we were standing together, Christ was standing with us also.

Thank you.

Thank you so much for standing with me today. Thank you for standing with my family as we travel this journey.

Much love.

The Wilbanks Fam

Struggles

Have you ever had one of those days where you feel like all of your best efforts are useless? Like no matter how hard you try to do the right thing, you end up doing the wrong thing, say the wrong thing, feel the wrong thing, think the wrong thing?

I've been having alot of those days lately.

It reminds me of Romans 7:19 where Paul talks about not doing the good he wants to do and doing the evil he doesn't want to do. I can relate! I'm sure we've all had times were we feel that way because of our naturally sinful nature.

It is so easy to fall off of the road of following Christ's plan for our lives when we have these days. Our excuses might be "it's too hard" or "it's useless, why try?"

It gives me so much hope during these times to remember that I can't accomplish this "doing the right thing" on my own. It is only through God's direction and power that I will be able to do the things I want to do and not do the things I don't want to do.

I needed that reminder today.

"Thanks be to God, who delivers me through Jesus Christ our Lord!"