God’s Good Gifts by Sarah Price

Sometimes I feel like I’m a little hamster running on a wheel. No matter how hard I try to catch up, I’m just in the same place…running and running but getting no where. Between the kids and the house and my husband and writing…well, I imagine that I am no different from anyone else. We all endure the stresses that come with life in the 21st century.

This week, however, I caught a break.

My children were off school on Wednesday for Parent-Teacher Conferences and went over to friends’ houses to hang out and sleep over (YAY for those parents!!!!). So my husband, Marc, and I escaped the typical chaos of our house (our kitchen is getting a makeover…need I say more?) and went to our 120 acre horse farm that is only 25 minutes away from Morristown.

We sat outside and listened to the birds chirping, the only noise that broke the silence. Marc turned to me and said, “I just love this place. It’s so peaceful.”

Peaceful.

Isn’t that what we all want? Forget money, fame, social escalation. Peace.

And isn’t that what God wants for us?

The first six months of this year were really kinda yucky for me. I had major surgery in December and the recovery lingered well into February. I am a tough chick when it comes to pain but let me tell you that this surgery threw me for a loop. One of my book deals feel through and I had some family issues that lingered for a loooonnnnng time.

There were moments when I just curled up in bed and said, “Forget this!”

My husband, kids, and parents (and friends!) got me through that difficult spell. And suddenly something happened. It was as if the dark clouds that lingered over my head moved apart and the rays of sun beamed down on me. There was light…a light that I cannot explain, only that it was bright and warm and full of love.

I believe it was God telling me that he loved me and my family.

Out of no where, this amazing farm basically fell into our lives. For a gal who always wanted a farm and had just gone to Colorado to look at a 30 acre log cabin, this new place was a godsend: only 25 minutes away, the dogs can come, and I don’t need the TSA to body scan me!

If there is one thing that my years with the Amish have taught me is that faith is often tested. When we succeed in keeping our faith through the hard times, it’s almost like God rewards us. Maybe it’s a new perspective on life that changes, Maybe it’s new opportunities that fall into our laps. Or maybe it’s just time that heals wounds.

One of my Amish friends has been through some really rough times: cancer, depression, death in the family. But she, too, has come out stronger because of her faith in God. I have learned a lot from this woman. She wrote me letters, called me, checked in on me during my tough times. She sent me Bible verses and prayed for me…just as I’ve started my own prayer journal to prayer for my friends and close family members.

She taught me that God will see us through anything. He never gives us more than we can bear…no matter how awful it feels at the time we are going through it.

After all, God is stronger than sin—we only have to believe. That’s his gift to his faithful and loyal children.

So, if you are going through a difficult spell, please remember to believe. God brought you to it…he will get you through it!

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National bestselling author Sarah Price has always respected and honored her ancestors through the exploration and research about her family’s Anabaptist history and their religion. For over twenty-five years, she has been actively involved in an Amish community in Pennsylvania. The author of over thirty novels, Sarah is finally doing what she always wanted to do: write about the religion and culture that she loves so dearly.

For more information about Sarah you can visit her blog at www.sarahpriceauthor.com