When God Blesses

Joe at Horseshoe Curve

We do a lot for the people we take care of, and as I said before I had this “bucket list” of places Joe wanted to see. One of them was Horseshoe Curve near Altoona, PA. Although this would normally be a day trip from our home (about a two hour drive) Joe’s condition by this time was such that a trip to the doctor was very tiring for him. He was such a train loving guy; he even had DVDs of trains that he would play during the day. So a three day trip was planned, two to travel to and from and one day to see “the Curve”.

I picked a weekend and after packing the car with oxygen and medical supplies, off we went. I did some research about the Curve and I really wanted Joe to see some trains when we were there. However, I found that there wasn’t any guarantee that a train would pass while we waited. I did find out that they have a “funicular” or a car that would take visitors up the side of the mountain to view the trains (yes, handicapped accessible!). We arrived and used the funicular (it’s really fun!) to reach the park that they’ve created. This whole time I’m praying for the Lord to send one train, just one train, please?

There wasn’t any trains for a while. We walked around (or Joe rode and I pushed) and looked at the scenery (fantastic) and the sign boards that gave a history of the Curve and the area. I’m still praying… I asked Joe if he wanted to leave, but no, he just wanted to wait.

And then a rumble came from the right and here came a train (thank you, Lord!) and it passed by and went to our left. Then there was another rumble and here comes a train from the left going to our right. I was overwhelmed with gratitude to the Lord. Joe was sitting there looking like a loon, he was so happy.

We were getting ready to leave when the ground rumbled again. This time there were two trains going opposite directions on two different tracks. They passed each other right in front of Joe. I was crying with joy by this time, but Joe didn’t notice, he was mesmerized by the trains passing in front of him. The noise was incredible!!

When the Lord answers my prayer and blesses us with such a small thing as trains passing by (and He really showed off!!) I know he hears all my prayers. Sometimes he can’t give us the answers right away, but in this case, He did. My trust in the Lord was so increased that day.

Blessings

“I have told you these things, so that in me you may have peace. In this world you will have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world.” John 16:33

When I was a young christian I thought if I believed in God, then all my troubles will be taken away and life would be wonderful all the time. So when trouble did come (and it seemed to come a lot!) I thought I didn’t have enough faith or I was doing something wrong. When I got married I thought our life would be easy, wonderful, you know, the white picket fence, wholesome, beautiful family life. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

Life has been so hard, so tough. There have been many times I’ve just wanted to give up and walk away. But as I look back, I can see that those tough times are what have made me the person I am today. People have told me that I’m a “strong” person to have weathered all that I’ve been through. I’d like to think that I’ve been teachable. I learned that when you face hard times is when when you grow, if you allow it.

Did you know that Jesus said we’d have trouble? It’s right there in John 16. He also says to take heart because He has overcome the world. Let your troubles be blessings.

This song, which came out quite a few years ago, still touches me. Laura Story wrote this song after her husband was diagnosed with a benign brain tumor, and all the stress and strife that would go along with that. All the changes (personality and otherwise) that happened. He is still living and thriving, but their lives have been changed by the diagnosis. I hope that this song will touch you as well.