It’s been a while since I blogged in part because of the physical and emotional stress of moving. Let me just say that moving as you age is difficult. This was a long- awaited move, a dream-move, a God- move and we are finally settling in. Time and space has also allowed for some emotional healing and Mike is destressing from the pressure of the last twelve years.

On the day before we pulled out with truck and trailer heading to Wyoming, Mike’s crew threw us a going away lunch. Having worked in horticulture for over 35 years, my husband has a coaching management style and in that process his teams always grow and relationships develop that are family. Such is the case for this group of people. We have come to love them and care deeply for them and them for us. It was an emotional lunch. It was perfectly planned and before us lay a wonderful Mexican culinary gift of love. Also attending were what we might have termed ‘enemies’ from the management team. One in particular, made the environment uncomfortable for the crew but after a while the group began to share their feelings primarily for Mike but also for me, as Mama Vicki.  It was precious and heart-felt. Some in broken English and some with the help of a translator. Years of friendship and prayer for family and life events were being returned as gifts of love and gratitude. They spoke of Mike’s leadership and gentle, humble management style; of his willingness to lead by example and how much they trusted and admired him; of how he will be missed. Certainly, the building expansion Mike and his team had accomplished over the last 12 years was a capstone professionally, but this generous expression of love and admiration, was much more a capstone to his giftedness in leadership and team-building. As we left this wonderful time, the Holy Spirit brought Psalms 23:5-6 to mind, which says

 ‘You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies. You anoint my head with (healing) oil, my cup overflows. Surely goodness and mercy will follow me all the days of my life…’

I was dumbfounded in silence. God has graciously allowed us to experience his compassionate care demonstrated through callused hands and precious hearts. I was amazed and overwhelmed at the tender mercies of a loving God. Never I had experienced scripture in such vivid reality. Certainly, I have experienced answered pray, but never had I experienced the overwhelming love of God as a suave for our troubled hearts. All this kindness and expression of love was poured out, though uncomfortably, by co-laborers right in front of the two people that had cause us the most hurt and anger; our enemies. The speakers too were risking a great deal in their transparency but they spoke anyway.  It was amazing! It was transformative! Truly  an Ebenezer moment graciously given to us by God himself through his emissaries, Mike’s precious crew, our forever family.

Never doubt that God understand when you have been wronged or treated unjustly. Never think that the almighty does not care about your broken heart. Psalms 56:8 says You have kept count of my tossing; put my tears in your bottle… believe it.

He sees, He knows and He will anoint your head with healing oil in due time. What an amazing God who keeps His promises. He is trustworthy in both big and small issues of life. If he cares for our ‘sparrows’ of pain, He can be trusted in all areas of life and for eternity.