“How do You Spell Relief?”

When I look back on this last year, I am amazed at all the changes and challenges that we have had as a family. We moved after 21 years to a new town and a new job, new relationships, bought a new home, our dog ate enough string to circle the globe and had to have surgery, and the beautiful tree in our front yard became a car compactor as it smashed not one but three cars in our driveway. Based on the rings on its stump, that tree had been there for 30 years. We’ve had a glass patio table that survived not only that storm, but many more the last 20 years, but that tree…sorry, I got sidetracked. When it comes to stress, this last year could have been a doozy.

Yet, when I take inventory of how God worked this last year, I am amazed. First of all, God guided us to this wonderful city of Pierre. God provided an amazing job and new ministry. God has blessed us with new relationships. A new friend from church helped us find a home. A new friend from church blessed us by helping with the tree. Our new church body has welcomed us so graciously.

I came across 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

, “But He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly of my weaknesses, so that the power of Christ may rest upon me. For the sake of Christ, then, I am content with weaknesses, insults, hardships, persecutions, and calamities. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”

So many things were out of our control. That is when God’s control is so evident. And yes, our dog is doing great, thanks to our new friend from church and veterinarian.

Pastor Phil Newby