ORIGINAL ART BY PAUL T. BOECHER©

My husband, among other things, is an 1800s artist re-enactor.  He loves the 1800s time period and the rugged lifestyle that went along with it.  The artists of that era, were the media of today.  Not only did they create beautiful works of art, they traveled with explorers to unexplored lands.  They also photographed with their paint palette and canvas.  The original plein air painters of America.  Through their paintings, we have a recorded history of how people lived, where they walked and what they did.

Times change daily for us and lately we’ve seen a lot of change.  This year Paul was unable to attend a re-enactment that he performs in each year because of all this house chaos.  Sometimes we have to give things up in order to move forward.  This was one of those things.

For those of you going through any struggles at the present time, don’t forget that some of the most difficult times in our lives are evidence that God is working within us.  Someday we will look back at these troubles and see why we had to endure them.  Perhaps they are for us to help another going through the same difficulties.  Sometimes it’s simply to toughen us up for the next round.  All of the time, we can rest assured that God is in the midst of us, making us ready for eternity.

When we face the most perilous things in life – He is there.  When we suffer illness – He is there.  When financial matters invade every inch of our being – He is there.  When we receive blessings undeserved – He is there.

In all things, let us praise the Lord.  Let us give thanks even in times of change or adversity.  Help us, Lord, to be strengthened through your Word, and lifted up by the fellowship we receive in our church community.  Amen!