Have you ever felt overwhelmed, defeated, totally exhausted, and wondering if you will ever accomplish all of the chores or projects that need to be done? Especially with the occurrence of the Coronavirus pandemic that remains with us here in the U.S., the additional burden of the extra hand washing, mask wearing, and trying to decide when the least busy time would be to go to the grocery store, tiredness escalates. And then, there’s the emptier than usual shelves, so usual ingredients needed have to be substituted. Well, for the last few weeks, along with my typical aches and pains, I could add my name to the top of the overwhelmed list. Household chores had been neglected because they only added to the aches and pains.

By claiming a Biblical promise found in Philippians 4:19, fifty-two plus years ago, we were blessed with our firstborn daughter, and claiming it again, God graced us with baby number two, a second daughter. So last week I claimed the promise again, not for a baby at our age, but for some domestic help. There were two projects that haunted me–a large closet and Ron’s workshop/storage shed, and I just did not have the strength to do the needed work.

God answered my prayer in a big way–far beyond what I could have dreamed or asked for! Precious friends came a nine hour drive to visit us for a long weekend, and they expertly accomplished both projects, allowing us to get rid of “stuff” by donating or trashing non-needed items. Both the closet and the shed look magnificent!

Friends are God’s precious gifts to us, to be sure! Karan and Eric are always a joy to have visiting in our home, and this visit they were more than a joy–they were answers to prayers! Twenty plus years our juniors, they have energy and expertise that neither of us have at the present time! Whenever Ken and Donna come, they are always very willing helpers, thinking up many ways in which to bless us!

There is a hymn that is my favorite. It is the last one I sang for camp meeting, with my Dad playing the piano. Here are the words:

How can I say thanks for the things you have done for me?
Things so undeserved that you gave to prove your love for me.
The voices of a million angels could not express my gratitude;
All that I am and ever hope to be, I owe it all to Thee!
To God be the glory, to God be the glory,
To God be the glory for the things He has done.
With His blood He has saved me, with his hands He has raised me,
To God be the glory for the things he has done!

God gave His Son’s life so that we could look forward to eternal life with Him; He gave love so bountifully and granted the desire of our hearts–our two daughters, and their children and grandchildren. He gave us precious friends who now, in our senior years, have blessed us in so many ways, and in so doing allowed us (especially Ron) the desire of his heart–to remain in our home even though we no longer have the energy to care for it as we ought.

So today, with Karan and Eric almost back home in Colorado, and sweet friends Kenny and Donna still stuck in their Arizona home due to Coronavirus, we can manage to do the mundane chores of vacuuming, dusting, laundry, and simple cooking, minus the feeling of overwhelm, defeat, and exhaustion. Thank you Lord, and thank you dear friends for the things you have done!