Fog happens when the temperature changes drastically, usually during the changing of seasons. It can descend quickly and leave just as fast, or it can linger for days, even weeks. When it’s the latter it can bring with it a change in mood as well.

We have been living in foggy conditions for nearly two years. It came suddenly with no warning signs. Just damp, cold fog blocking our view and stopping us in our tracks.

We celebrated our 40th wedding anniversary in 2019, but it wasn’t how we had planned. We were in the throes of caring for our very sick granddaughter; one of the most difficult experiences of our lives. Our special trip to Montana was canceled, which was not rescheduled because COVID-19 hit in 2020.

The fog continued.

In 2021 we are once again in the throes of caring for a needy grandchild–this time our youngest who was born a micro-preemie at 24 weeks and 5 days. Many of you have followed Elias’ story and have encouraged us with your prayers and support. Thank you doesn’t seem adequate. You have been like a lighthouse in the fog reminding us that there are those willing to help guide us and encourage us, even though we couldn’t see clearly ourselves.

We have a two week vacation planned to Salt Lake City, but if I’m honest I am struggling. It isn’t easy pulling away with our daughter still facing everyday challenges in caring for her baby boy. Yet we have seen God’s faithfulness to her and her husband time and time again. We know that He is their strength, not us, and our strength is waning. We need time together to reconnect and refresh ourselves, so we have something still to give.

I was feeling guilty about leaving.

Tom kept reminding me that we need this time to focus on us. I knew he was right, but it hasn’t helped me with the mom-guilt thing. So I asked God to help me know that it would be okay for us to leave.

Within minutes a friend called to see how I was doing.

She had been praying for us and believed the Lord wanted her to tell me that we needed oxygen. I hesitantly asked her if this was because of what was coming? Or what we were already facing? I prayed it was the latter!

She went on to explain that when flying and there is turbulence, the flight crew always instructs that if the oxygen masks drop down to be sure and put yours on first before helping any little ones with theirs. She believed we needed to breathe before we could help anymore. And she had no idea of my prayer only minutes before she called.

The fog lifted. I had the answer I needed to push through the fog and breathe without guilt.

In what ways have your current circumstances been like a fog blocking your view? The worst thing we can do when facing such times is nothing. We must breathe and keep taking the next step. We must trust that God is always a step ahead of us making sure we don’t slip. He is the author of the changing seasons in our family and in our marriage no matter how thick the fog may seem. It will lift and before we know it, Summer will be here.

Image Credit: Fog Photo by eberhard grossgasteiger on Unsplash, Lighthouse Photo by Pete Nuij on Unsplash