twice blessed

Several weeks ago, Bill and I were in Milan, New Mexico, working at the Truckstop Ministries Chapel located at the local Petro.  While there, we drove out to the sandstone bluffs. Iver experienced    anything quite like the bluffs before. The scenery was spectacular and standing atop the bluffs made me feel as if I was on top of the world.  Looking up, you could see white, fluffy clouds filling a beautiful sky that seemed to stretch for miles. Down below laid a massive ancient lava bed which was produced from eruptions of several volcanoes.  Although I’m sure this was once nothing but black lava, now it is covered with scattered trees, bushes, cacti, and grasses. It was breath taking.
As I stood in awe of this magnificent sight, one of my favorite verses flashed through my mind.  Psalm 40:1-3 says, “I waited patiently for the Lord; and he inclined unto me and heard my cry.  He brought me up also out of an horrible pit, out of the miry clay and set my feet upon a rock, and established my goings.  And he hath put a new song in my mouth, even praise unto our God; many shall see it and fear, and shall trust in the Lord.”
After Mike, my first husband, passed away in March 2013, I felt like I was in a horrible pit.  There seemed to always be a dark black cloud hanging over me.  I had no joy in my life. I spent as much time as I could surrounding myself with my family and friends.  However, when night came, I was alone again, and the darkness would set in.  Being a widow was a very lonely life and it didn’t really get any better with time.  In fact, sometimes it actually seemed to get worse because I just assumed I would be alone for the rest of my life. Most of the time, I just felt numb.  I didn’t have any life left in me but I tried to keep my feelings covered up with a smile. I knew I would survive because I was not the first woman to lose her husband and I wouldn’t be the last.  It’s just life and life happens to all of us.
So I prayed and I prayed and I prayed.  I didn’t like feeling sad. I didn’t like feeling lonely.  I wanted to feel joy again.  I wanted to be happy. So I prayed and I prayed more.  And God answered.  He picked me up out of that pit and he set me upon a rock.  He put a new song in my mouth.  I am once again happy and I can truly sing praises to God.  God knew what I needed even before I did.  And I am praying and believing that others whom may feel as if they are also in a pit may witness my happiness and know that through God there is always HOPE.
I thank God daily for answering my prayers and sending Bill to share my life with me. I thank God for allowing me to experience true love twice.  As one of my friends who had this same experience says, I have been ‘Twice Blessed.’
This is Nana Nancy, Let Jesus be YOUR Guide as you enjoy YOUR ride!