New Beginings

That smile and this girl ♥️.

She got in the car after cross country beaming, even more than usual.  I asked her how practice was and she laughed and said, “Today was beach day!  We ran to the beach and then all the upperclassmen just started jumping into the ocean.  We all got in with our running clothes on!  Even our coach got in and swam!”  She didn’t stop there, “I love my team mom, and I love where we live.  I am so thankful.”  

Right there.  Things have not been easy the past four years, especially for her, but those words and her smile is all the encouragement her dad and I need.  

To experience personal lows and to feel trapped by the world around you is one thing to experience for yourself, but entirely more excruciating to watch your child endure.

“I will extol you, O Lord, for you have drawn me 

    up and have not let my foes rejoice over me.

O Lord my God, I cried to you for help,

    and you have healed me.

O Lord, you have brought up my soul from  

    Sheol;  you restored me to life from among    

    those who go down to the pit.

Sing praises to the Lord, O you his saints,

    and give thanks to his holy name.

For his anger is but for a moment,

    and his favor is for a lifetime.

Weeping may tarry for the night,

    but JOY comes with the morning.”

Psalm 30:1-5