He gives and Takes away??

Dear World,

He gives and takes away... he gives, and TAKES away.

None of this is my words. Sometimes, I just need to listen. And this is what I heard when I was IMing a friend that I met at SAMBICA. Her name is Delaney Aydel. We were talking about my last blog post, and the song, Blessed be Your Name.

"I was actually just thinking about that same topic last night when I was reading my bible

The song comes in part from the book of Job. I was reading the verses that are in it.

I was thinking, and it just kind of hit me that yeah, God takes away, but it's His to take away. He blessed us with so much. I think the thing to remember is that things can ALWAYS be worse, so we need to just remember all the things we have, no matter how small, because every one of them is a blessing, so we should praise God no matter what. We can survive on so little that every tiny luxury we have is such a gift."

There's not much left for me to say about that. Delaney basically said it. =) The world needs more people like Delaney. She yearns to be with God, and lives out what she says she is going to do. I'm so happy I met her because it shows me that I truly need more people like her in my life.

I'm struggling, still, but it totally caught me off guard that this had been going through her head too. When I talk to Delaney, I want to be close to God too, because she already is multiple steps further than me. It was encouraging. Now, I will continue to be encouraged when I heard Blessed be Your Name and think of Pluto, and that line, and what it means... but, like I said, and you all have read, it will be hard. But now, I'm trying even harder.

Thanks Delaney Honey! Keep walking in your faith. It's been a blessing to know and talk to you!

In Him!
Maddie