Pray for my family. Pray for complete healing, endurance, patience, love, and understanding.

A drastic change in my mother’s health has changed everything. My mother had a significant stroke that threatened to immediately take her life. She is still here and making baby steps forward, but at present she is not who she was. We are all facing profound change. I may unpack some of this in the weeks to come.

For today, I am sharing encouragement and perspective that even the most unruly change or disaster can refine and shape us if we can withstand the heat and the pressure. I choose to endure. I continue to lean not on my own understanding but lean into God’s plan for our lives.

This video made this Summer in the Mariposa Grove of Yosemite National Park was a great reminder of this important concept. Sequoia’s are made to withstand fire. In fact, they need fire. Fire allows the Sequoia pine cones to release seeds, making fire an important part of their life cycle.

The fire we are in is hot. My heart breaks for my mother. I am angry. I am confused. But these are outweighed by necessity, hope, and belief in God’s plan. Pray that we stay the course with good cheer.