Day 12: Michelle Susanj
“God is our refuge & strength, an ever-present help in trouble.” Psalm 46:1
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28
When I think of “boasting in the Lord”, my mind searches for the good things that have come my way. 2024 started out with a wonderful blessing…our 7th grandchild was born. I rejoice everyday in the blessing of little Joshua in our lives.
Having said this, most of 2024 has been a year of loss for me personally. As of today, my husband has not had a job for 16 months. He always had a wonderful job with great income. We have been able to travel and enjoy the niceties of life. It’s been very different these past 16 months. Will the company he is now forming succeed? Will God allow Him to prosper once again? Will we drain every last nickel from our 401K? Will we have to sell our home?
In the midst of this loss, my beautiful mother found out way too late that she had cancer. It was in her pancreas, liver, kidneys, blood, etc. My mom was always involved in our lives. This past May she stayed with me for 10 days, going from home to home seeing her great-grandchildren. She sat on the floor playing, she made us laugh with her stories. She filled our hearts and home in just being her.
In June my sisters called and told me that she had a stroke. It was hard for that to even register in our minds. She’s always been so healthy and involved. A stroke? I spent most of my summer, along with my 3 sisters, caring for my mom in Pittsburgh. She wanted to be in her home and we made that happen. She died on August 8th and I can confidently say that she is with Jesus, but it hurts. It still hurts. Will this “hole” ever be filled or at least not feel so very big?
By September, my best friend of 40+ years passed away. She was my Bible study partner, prayer partner, and accountability partner. Again…the loss. Prior to her dying, her husband would text me with questions about hospice. Normally I would be happy to help (and I did), but it was making me relive every step I had just gone through with my mom. It felt too hard.
So, now back to the main question… Boast in the Lord? Can I?
I can! In this time of loss I am learning first-hand that God is in Control. He alone is Sovereign. He has invited me to see first-hand and to know that He meets us in the “random events” of our lives.
In the Bible, (see the book of Ruth), Naomi moved from her home into a country that was an enemy of Israel. While there, she became a widow. She still had 2 married sons (her 401K if you will). They also were taken from her when they each died. We see Naomi heading back to Jerusalem and she changes her name from “sweet” to “bitter”.
I know that I know, I need to invite God into my losses or I too will become bitter. I would end up stuck in my wallowing.
I’m choosing instead to believe God at His Word. He is with me in all of this even if it doesn’t “feel” like it on certain days. He is with me. He is also at work in these times for me.
Naomi moved home with one daughter in law (Ruth). They had no idea that Ruth would one day glean in the field of Boaz. Boaz, who was a relative. Boaz, who made special provisions for Ruth. She would come home from gleaning in his field with special provisions for Naomi and herself. They had no idea that one day Boaz would marry Ruth or that they would have a child (Obed) who would one day father Jessie, who would become the father of King David. This very line would be the line that Jesus Christ came from. Ruth and Naomi had no way of knowing all of this, but God does have a way of redeeming our losses; they are for His Glory.
God is working behind the scenes for me too. I can’t connect all of the dots yet, but I know He has me and I desire to glorify Him both now and later.
Sometimes it’s the things in life that stop us in our tracks, that end up bringing the most Glory to the Lord.
I love the story of Corrie Ten Boom and her sister Betsy. They talk of the “fleas”. They were bombarded with fleas as they were prisoners in a concentration camp. Betsy insisted on thanking God for the fleas. It was those very fleas that stopped the prison guards from coming to their prison and assaulting the women. And the absence of prison guards opened the door for prison Bible study led by Corrie and Betsy. He truly does make everything beautiful in His time. (Eccl. 3:11)
I’m still grieving. This year as I decorated for Christmas. I placed no bed where my mom always slept when she joined us each year. Instead I hung up a pair of her pajamas and a sweater. It makes me sad. I love Christmas, but this year the only reason I decorated was to keep things going for our 7 grandchildren who will be with us.
I don’t “feel” like I used to, but I’m confident that God can actually get me to an even better place than I was before. I meet with Him daily. I force myself to “be still” before Him and listen to His voice and His Word. I’m learning to surrender ALL to Him. I’m practicing gratefulness. I do have so very much to be thankful for each and every day. It’s important that I take the time to “see” the goodness of the Lord before me each and every day. It is there. I need eyes to see.
God gives me grace to grieve. I am thankful for that, but I’m also holding on step by step. He had something very special planned for Ruth & Naomi. I’m waiting and trusting that He has my past, my present, and my future. I know He does, and therefore I can truly Boast in the Lord my God!
Please read Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
I’m sure you will find yourself among this list & you too will be able to Boast in Our Lord!
Prayer
Father, I come today to You with thanksgiving. Thank You for the blessing of life. Thank You for the trees, the sun, the moon, the air that we breathe. Thank You for Your church and its people. Thank You for sending people who care in special ways. Thank You for memories that we can treasure. Thank You for Jesus, our true redeemer. Thank You that you are in complete control and nothing happens without Your knowledge. Thank You that You have complete control over time. When we think things should move faster, please remind us of this. Thank You that You are in control over any crisis that comes our way. Jesus, create is me/us a submissive heart. As Job once said…”naked I came from my mother’s womb”…Jesus, make us humble before You and help us to boast all our days of Your kindness and Your goodness and Your love! And Lord…for that someone who may read this and they are hurting…You know them, You see them, You love them…help them to grasp this. I love You Jesus…You are my all in all!
-Michelle Susanj
“And we know that in all things God works for the good of those who love Him, who have been called according to His purpose” Romans 8:28
When I think of “boasting in the Lord”, my mind searches for the good things that have come my way. 2024 started out with a wonderful blessing…our 7th grandchild was born. I rejoice everyday in the blessing of little Joshua in our lives.
Having said this, most of 2024 has been a year of loss for me personally. As of today, my husband has not had a job for 16 months. He always had a wonderful job with great income. We have been able to travel and enjoy the niceties of life. It’s been very different these past 16 months. Will the company he is now forming succeed? Will God allow Him to prosper once again? Will we drain every last nickel from our 401K? Will we have to sell our home?
In the midst of this loss, my beautiful mother found out way too late that she had cancer. It was in her pancreas, liver, kidneys, blood, etc. My mom was always involved in our lives. This past May she stayed with me for 10 days, going from home to home seeing her great-grandchildren. She sat on the floor playing, she made us laugh with her stories. She filled our hearts and home in just being her.
In June my sisters called and told me that she had a stroke. It was hard for that to even register in our minds. She’s always been so healthy and involved. A stroke? I spent most of my summer, along with my 3 sisters, caring for my mom in Pittsburgh. She wanted to be in her home and we made that happen. She died on August 8th and I can confidently say that she is with Jesus, but it hurts. It still hurts. Will this “hole” ever be filled or at least not feel so very big?
By September, my best friend of 40+ years passed away. She was my Bible study partner, prayer partner, and accountability partner. Again…the loss. Prior to her dying, her husband would text me with questions about hospice. Normally I would be happy to help (and I did), but it was making me relive every step I had just gone through with my mom. It felt too hard.
So, now back to the main question… Boast in the Lord? Can I?
I can! In this time of loss I am learning first-hand that God is in Control. He alone is Sovereign. He has invited me to see first-hand and to know that He meets us in the “random events” of our lives.
In the Bible, (see the book of Ruth), Naomi moved from her home into a country that was an enemy of Israel. While there, she became a widow. She still had 2 married sons (her 401K if you will). They also were taken from her when they each died. We see Naomi heading back to Jerusalem and she changes her name from “sweet” to “bitter”.
I know that I know, I need to invite God into my losses or I too will become bitter. I would end up stuck in my wallowing.
I’m choosing instead to believe God at His Word. He is with me in all of this even if it doesn’t “feel” like it on certain days. He is with me. He is also at work in these times for me.
Naomi moved home with one daughter in law (Ruth). They had no idea that Ruth would one day glean in the field of Boaz. Boaz, who was a relative. Boaz, who made special provisions for Ruth. She would come home from gleaning in his field with special provisions for Naomi and herself. They had no idea that one day Boaz would marry Ruth or that they would have a child (Obed) who would one day father Jessie, who would become the father of King David. This very line would be the line that Jesus Christ came from. Ruth and Naomi had no way of knowing all of this, but God does have a way of redeeming our losses; they are for His Glory.
God is working behind the scenes for me too. I can’t connect all of the dots yet, but I know He has me and I desire to glorify Him both now and later.
Sometimes it’s the things in life that stop us in our tracks, that end up bringing the most Glory to the Lord.
I love the story of Corrie Ten Boom and her sister Betsy. They talk of the “fleas”. They were bombarded with fleas as they were prisoners in a concentration camp. Betsy insisted on thanking God for the fleas. It was those very fleas that stopped the prison guards from coming to their prison and assaulting the women. And the absence of prison guards opened the door for prison Bible study led by Corrie and Betsy. He truly does make everything beautiful in His time. (Eccl. 3:11)
I’m still grieving. This year as I decorated for Christmas. I placed no bed where my mom always slept when she joined us each year. Instead I hung up a pair of her pajamas and a sweater. It makes me sad. I love Christmas, but this year the only reason I decorated was to keep things going for our 7 grandchildren who will be with us.
I don’t “feel” like I used to, but I’m confident that God can actually get me to an even better place than I was before. I meet with Him daily. I force myself to “be still” before Him and listen to His voice and His Word. I’m learning to surrender ALL to Him. I’m practicing gratefulness. I do have so very much to be thankful for each and every day. It’s important that I take the time to “see” the goodness of the Lord before me each and every day. It is there. I need eyes to see.
God gives me grace to grieve. I am thankful for that, but I’m also holding on step by step. He had something very special planned for Ruth & Naomi. I’m waiting and trusting that He has my past, my present, and my future. I know He does, and therefore I can truly Boast in the Lord my God!
Please read Ecclesiastes 3:1-11
I’m sure you will find yourself among this list & you too will be able to Boast in Our Lord!
Prayer
Father, I come today to You with thanksgiving. Thank You for the blessing of life. Thank You for the trees, the sun, the moon, the air that we breathe. Thank You for Your church and its people. Thank You for sending people who care in special ways. Thank You for memories that we can treasure. Thank You for Jesus, our true redeemer. Thank You that you are in complete control and nothing happens without Your knowledge. Thank You that You have complete control over time. When we think things should move faster, please remind us of this. Thank You that You are in control over any crisis that comes our way. Jesus, create is me/us a submissive heart. As Job once said…”naked I came from my mother’s womb”…Jesus, make us humble before You and help us to boast all our days of Your kindness and Your goodness and Your love! And Lord…for that someone who may read this and they are hurting…You know them, You see them, You love them…help them to grasp this. I love You Jesus…You are my all in all!
-Michelle Susanj
Posted in Boast in the Lord \\\'25
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