The year of our Lord 2016 came quickly and does not appear to be slowing. As young babes time cannot move fast enough. We look forward to the day we’ll be 7.5 years old and able to ride our bike unsupervised. It comes and we’re eagerly waiting to become a teenager. The moment we turn 13 we cannot wait to be 16. Then suddenly we’re 16 and 18 seems eons away. But then we’re 18 and we wonder, where did all the time go? We realize we are not ready to visit college campuses and determine our lives trajectory. Yet time marches on and we pray that somewhere in the future life will begin to slow. It never does slow, does it?
Life has definitely now slowed in the Bauer household. Our merry band of seven has grown and continues to grow. We’ve added spouses, boyfriends and girlfriends, and even a nephew along the way. Every phase of life has brought its challenges. But life has also brought its victories. The Bauer clan has a beautiful life. We have a few scars and we may have stretch marks with a little bruising but beautiful nonetheless. We have been blessed with a beautiful life.
God has been faithful through every phase of our lives. From the birth of each child, to the numerous trips to prompt care and the emergency room, through layoffs, job changes, college loans, health difficulties, broken cars, loss of loved ones. The list of God’s faithfulness is endless. He has given us a beautiful life in the midst of every difficulty.
At each of life’s challenges God has been faithful. He has heard our simplest of prayers and answered with kindness. No matter the difficulty God has seen us through and brought us unto himself.
The Father of lights has blessed me with a beautiful family and a beautiful life. I am truly blessed.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.
If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him. But let him ask in faith, with no doubting, for the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind. For that person must not suppose that he will receive anything from the Lord; he is a double-minded man, unstable in all his ways.
Let the lowly brother boast in his exaltation, and the rich in his humiliation, because like a flower of the grass he will pass away. For the sun rises with its scorching heat and withers the grass; its flower falls, and its beauty perishes. So also will the rich man fade away in the midst of his pursuits.
Blessed is the man who remains steadfast under trial, for when he has stood the test e will receive the crown of life, which God has promised to those who love him. let no one say when he is tempted, “I am being tempted by God,” for God cannot be tempted with evil, and he himself tempts no one. But each person is tempted when he is lured and enticed by his own desire. Then desire when it has conceived gives birth to sin, and sin when it is fully grown brings forth death.
Do not be deceived, my beloved brothers. Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of lights with whom there is no variation or shadow due to change. Of his own will he brought us forth by the word of truth, that we should be a kind of firstfruits of his creatures.” James 1: 2-18
Musings of a Tethered Soul 