Do you ever have those days where you feel like God is allowing you to be really stretched? I kinda feel like I had a whole month full of stretching. One thing I have learned in my training for a half marathon, your muscles need to be torn down in order to build strength and endurance. God has been doing the same thing in my life and my walk with him.
There were 2 major events that took place, Aaron going to Switzerland on a business trip for 9 days and letting go of my dog, Bonnie. In both of these situations I know God was showing me I needed to rely on him. Upon reflection, there were moments when I got myself as far as I could on my own and then God stepped in.
While Aaron was in Swizterland I went on a mommy/daughter road trip with Peyton. We drove to Sweetwater to visit Aaron's family, to Lubbock to see my friends and family and finished up the drive across Texas in DFW to stay with my brother and sister in law! It was so much fun and there were so many great memories made! During this trip God taught me a lot about myself and my marriage. I realized how much I rely on my husband instead of God. Don't get me wrong, we make a great team and Aaron is a great team leader. So it's really easy to put him on the same level as God. But God didn't intend for my husband to be who I put my faith in; it should be God. Once I get those priorities right, everything else falls into place. He also showed me that with my faith in God I can do great things, like a road trip across Texas with a crazy toddler and I can survive 9 whole days without my husband. It was hard, let me tell you. I missed that man more than anyone I have ever missed in my life. I missed him with every single fiber of my being. But I survived! Thank God for FaceTime!
I genuinely think the rebuilding of my strength through the road trip was preparing me for putting down my dog, Bonnie. She was such a sweet and loving dog and was in my life for 14 years. Literally half of my life! I still remember the day we brought Bonnie home. My mom and I had been on a mission trip to New York and some family friends on the trip had convinced us that we needed one of their schnauzer puppies. So when we returned home from the mission trip we went to their house "just to look." Then we took an adorable black and white schnauzer home for a "trial run" aka "convince dad we need a dog." She never left our house. :) When Bonnie had puppies, the runt of the litter had a minor birth defect so we decided to keep her. Piglet made the perfect companion for Bonnie. They were quite the perfect pair. Bonnie was very calm, nurturing and sweet. Piglet is much more hyper, but still loving and sweet! I inherited Bonnie and Piglet when my parents divorced my freshman year of college. Then, they too gained the Fry last name with me. Aaron's mom and dad even called them their "grand dogs!" Mine and Aaron's relationship has only ever had Bonnie and Piglet in it. Bonnie has had some issues over the last 3 years so when it was her time to go it wasn't completely unexpected. God protected my heart and guided me every step of the way. When the vet told me it was "time" I was devastated, but felt peace. I was actually at a gala for Arms of Hope worshipping with Third Day when I got the call from my vet. How is that for perfect timing? Hello WORSHIPPING with Third Day... as in I was standing directly in front of Mac, the lead singer. The next day my family and friends rallied around me with phone calls, texts and prayers. Originally Aaron wasn't going to be able to go with me, but God worked that out. Aaron didn't want to go in the room with me which was ok. All I needed was to know that he and Peyton were in the waiting room for support. God was in the exam room with me. He was my strength. Bonnie is greatly missed by everyone that knew her. Even Peyton has said "Bon?" This is one of my favorite pictures from when we brought Peyton home from the hospital...
God is definitely doing a lot of cool stuff in me and my family right now. There is a lot stirring in my heart. I still have some to work through... and then I'll write about it. :) The "stretching" is hard and real, but oh so worth it. Romans 5: 3-5 says this: We can rejoice, too, when we run into problems and trials, for we know that they help us develop endurance. And endurance develops strength of character, and character strengthens our confident hope of salvation. And this hope will not lead to disappointment. For we know how dearly God loves us, because he has given us the Holy Spirit to fill our hearts with his love. Thanks for reading. xoxo Lauren
