How the Nursery Reminds Me of God’s Faithfulness

The twins are now officially big boys in toddler beds. I remember when I was planning their nursery just before they were born. Our time was running out at our townhouse and we had nowhere to go. We tried unsuccessfully for months to find somewhere to live. I wanted their room to reminded me of God’s faithfulness on the mountains and in the valleys. I wanted a peaceful room, full of dark and light contrast to remind me that both darkness and light are the same to Him. I can be at peace in Him, regardless of our circumstances. (We ended up not finding a place by time they were born and moved into a friend’s 2-bed basement for 3 weeks before God provided. It was hard but God was faithful to care for us.)

I can speak of God’s great faithfulness not based on us, our circumstances, or even on our faith, but because that’s just who He is. There are so many reasons I should be torn in pieces and lack all joy and peace. There are so many reasons that I should be a widow, our faith shattered by pain, our marriage in shambles, and plenty of other reasons to be bitter and not ok. BUT GOD! He has brought us through so many hard things and we stand because of His grace. We have not been strong or upheld ourselves because we had an amazing faith that “God would work it all out.” Many, many days I wrestled with God and struggled to trust Him. It definitely isn’t because I’m strong that I’m here, but because my faithful God has walked with me through the valleys, helped me climb when I was hurting and broken and brought me into His restoration. He’s the only reason I still have any joy.

I’m saying this not because I’m on a mountaintop. In fact a stomach bug ran through our house this week, and I’ve cleaned up so much puke and poop. Jonathan is not fully healed, and apparently I need to heal from the “acute PTSD” our counselor said I probably have. But in the thick of it, God’s faithfulness is everywhere I look. He’s been so good to us - not because everything is good, but because He is good. The good things He gives often transcend our circumstances instead of change them. Especially through the suffering He changes us and gives us Himself. The hard places reveal the treasure of God and our neediness for Him. The reason I have peace is because I know He’s here in this valley walking with me. He’s faithful. He never leaves. That’s just who He is.

By the way, green is great nursery color for disguising puke and poo. 🙃