1 Cor. 10:13

No temptation has overtaken you except what is common to mankind. And God is faithful; he will not let you be tempted beyond what you can bear. But when you are tempted, he will also provide a way out so that you can endure it.

While the context of this is temptation, as my friend Amanda wrote in a message to me, "i'm pretty sure the same is true for any trial. kind of like a "jehovah jirah, my provider" trend".

She also shared with me a saying I had never before heard, "God will either lighten the load or strengthen the shoulder" (or something like that).

This week has been one that has been the most draining I have experienced so far, and not just for things happening to me personally, but within my circle of friends and acquaintances as well.

Last Sunday I gratefully thanked my friends R&A for inviting me over for supper every Monday before we counted the offering. On Monday, my dear friend Ash had a huge, reusable bag full of groceries ready for me to take home, including homemade stew.

Also on Monday, my chiropractor waved my fee because I am struggling and he is gracious.

On Tuesday, I got a promotion.

On Wednesday, I totalled my car. And walked away with two bruises and nothing else, not even a ticket.

On Thursday, Mr. L drove me to and from work, the same on Friday and again today.

My friends lent me $3500 to pay my bills.

A man who I do not know, but with whom I have many mutual friends, is in hospital with a form of flesh-eating disease. He is married with 4 young children.

A young woman from church is pregnant and expecting her first with her husband and discovered she has an incompetent uterus. She is on bed-rest for at least the next 8 weeks and in hospital.

My dear friend Maeghan is serving the Haitians and is undoubtedly having her world rocked. I want her to be home and safe, and yet I am conflicted with the joy in my heart, knowing that she is doing what she is called to do.

Today I found out the doctor's found a lump on my dad's brain.

Also, the guy I like? Isn't interested. That last fact seems unbearably insignificant in light of everything else.

Every time I come up for air and take a breath, I get knocked a little further down. Every moment I think "I cannot handle anything else, my emotions are all used up", something else comes barreling my way.

And yet in all of this? I am joyful. I never thought I would know what it meant to "consider it pure joy my brothers whenever you face trials of many kinds", I often tried to fake it, but I'm in the midst of it and all I can see is God's glory shining all around. ALL AROUND. Everywhere that I see people weak and falling, I see others coming beside them and lifting them up. Each time I hear of another person wounded, I see people running to their aid. Every time I open my mouth to share what is going on, I cannot help but praise God. I survived a very scary, high-speed crash on the highway - one that I believe could quite simply have been the end. People everywhere are showing me what it means to be family, through prayers, support, hugs, encouraging words and practical ways - God is so ever-present in my life at this moment.

I am overwhelmed by God's goodness.