Surviving on God's Strength Through Difficult Times

Now in my 60s I have experienced both successes and failures, good times and difficult times and during the failures and difficult times the strength to endure has come from knowing my ultimate destination, eternal life with Jesus Christ in heaven.

Twenty-five years ago my position as a faculty member of the University of Georgia came to an end. I took a position with the federal government in Washington DC which wasn't ideal; but it did lead to my obtaining a position with the federal government in Fort Collins a couple of years later. God turned a negative into a positive. However, after several years it became clear that our coming to Fort Collins wasn't to enjoy a nice place to live and be near my wife's family, but to become involved with family in need. Over time our involvement with this family resulted in us fostering two children and then finally adopting them. So in our 50s my wife and I found ourselves back into parenting after enjoying a season of empty nesting. Unfortunately after adoption the children's behavior started to decline. Despite spending thousands on various types of help, their behavior continued to spiral downward. We have concern for our physical safety and have seen our things and property destroyed during our son's temper outbursts. Our child raising experience now includes dealing the juvenile justice system. Our daughter contributes to us being exhausted through her constant whining and negative attitude. To top it off our parents' health have significantly decline and we are now dealing with their care. We are tired and stressed and wonder why God chose us to parent these children. Though we question God's plan and wonder if we will have strength for tomorrow, we keep going knowing that God holds the future and what He requires of us isn't success, but obedience.

Long ago I trusted Jesus Christ as my personal savior. Through good and difficult times, times of obedience and periods of disobedience I have experienced the Heavenly Father's love and based upon His Holy Word I know that with this life I am just passing through and some day will be with Him in heaven for ever and ever. You too can experience God's love and strength to carry you through life's journey if you put your trust into His one and only son, Jesus Christ.