I know I have been a little quieter than usual this past little while. Truth is, there has been so much noise around me that I haven’t wanted to create any more, whether good, bad or indifferent.

Death and its silent, but deafening roar has pervaded my life. Family. Friends. Clients. Co-Workers. Illness and issues of health have taken up residence in the lives of many who I know and love, including myself.

Work stress has hit crescendos that I never knew even existed. Friends and loved ones have needed support, and even though I have tried, there just doesn’t seem to be enough hours in the day or strength in my spirit and body. Add to that, that all of this comes during a time when I desperately want to spend time celebrating birthdays, holidays and, above all, the fast approaching nuptials of my beautiful little girl.

Truth be told, I have just been trying to make it from one day to the next; putting one foot in front of the other; reminding myself to breath; reminding myself that God is there, even though I might not think I have the strength or energy to tune into His Presence. And, this week, on my birthday, after receiving the early morning news that my dear friend and co-worker had passed away unexpectedly in his sleep, I finally hit the breaking point.

Metaphorically standing on a ledge and physically driving to work, I turned down the voice on my radio so that I could lift my own to the Heavens. The decibels increased with each syllable to the point that I practically screamed these words into the universe: “God, enough is enough!”

But, before I could even start the rant that was building up in my heart, I received a resounding reply that permeated my spirit. I heard these correcting, yet oh so loving words: “My child, I say when enough is enough, and I Am always enough.”

Sigh. I KNOW this, but, like everyone else, I so often let the heaviness of life smother me and blind me to the fact that God is always, in all ways, involved in our lives. He doesn’t cause the bad stuff, but He is there all through it—walking right beside us, crying with us and loving us; all the while directing our steps and using it all for our own good and for His own Glory. Sometimes we just have to adjust our perspective.

Thank you, Lord, for the reminder, that these storms of late were not planted to disrupt the joyous days of holidays and a very special wedding, but, instead, the joyous days of holidays and a very special wedding were predestined and crafted by You to infuse the dark days with light and love.

Thank you, Lord, for reminding me that You are ALWAYS enough. That there is no one nor anything greater than You and that You and You alone hold everything, every matter, every situation and every person in the palm of Your beautiful, merciful and capable hands.

Please forgive me for letting the storms of life take my eyes off of You, but THANK YOU for always being there to pull me up out of the raging seas. Many years ago, I entrusted my life to you and throughout the years I have re-dedicated it to You over and over again. And, though I am quite sure that You will have to remind me that You are enough again in my life, today, in this moment, I re-dedicate myself—every fiber of my being; my past, my present and my future—to You. Continue to teach me and use me, my dear Lord.

And thank you for all the blessings that are flowing all throughout my life; thank you for the tinkling silver bells that remind me of Christmas and the celebration of Your Son’s birth and for the not-so-distant sound of wedding bells that will ring in new love and new life for our precious daughter, Billie Girl, and son, Billy Boy. On with the celebrations!

Amen and Ehmen.