Strawberry lemon water full of God's love

Cheesy title I know! But this small drink has changed my world! Let me explain..... These past couple of days and even weeks have been tough with Ben being gone. As I progress further into my pregnancy and draw closer to the end of the school year there is alot going on and I am alot more tired than I realized. Being pregnant, teaching and raising a two year old is a tough job. I am in no ways complaining because I am extremely blessed to be pregnant, have a job and a beautiful two year old toe headed girl! But I think, just like I often do, I have tried to do alot of it on my own. When am I going to get it through my thick skull ( is this where Evie gets her stubborness?) that apart from the Lord I am unable to accomplish what he has put infront of me. He is my rock, my sustainer... These words hold such powerful truths to me and speak profoundly to me but it seems when the water rises and life gets too much to handle I wade out with my makeshift life raft and try to just stay afloat rather than turning the the Lord who created and brought me to the water and who is standing there as my life saver waiting for me to hold on to Him. To run into his arms and let him carry me and walk with me through this storm. I am blessed beyond measure to be pregnant when so many out there long for this gift. I am in a job that I love and am able to rest soundly at night because I have a way to take care of my family, and I have a husband that loves me and gets to come home to me in a month when so many out there wont see their loved ones for quite a while or ever again. So please do not hear me say i am angry or bitter at the Lord. More at myself for not seeing the sun shining through the clouds and seeing this deployment and season in life as something he sanctioned and is calling me to and using to draw me to him and to grow in him. Now to the lemon water....
Last week during a tiring day I got a sweet surprise. A large water with lemons and strawberries. If anyone knows me, they know the way to my heart is through water, Sonic water at that and healthy snacks. Along with my water was trail mix. Always a good snack for me! The note on the water said, "thank you for the sacrifice your family is making to keep us safe. We want to bless you." I didnt know who it was that had sent it and trust me I went on a massive man hunt to figure it out. In the process I have told so mnay people about this new amazing drink that came with the sweet note of encouragement. I talked about it so much that I had students who worked at Sonic bringing it to me as a gift! Now fast forward a week to today. It was again another rough day filled with a longing for my husband, the Lord's sanctioned storm and a few tears here and there. And what came along but another water and bag of goodies and a sweet note. This time the note was short and sweet, " lauren Barksdale, Be encouraged. You are loved". Now dont think for one minute I havent spent a lot of time analyzing the handwriting and trying to question everyone I know about the where abouts of the drink giver. But at the same time its been sweet. A great way for the Lord to love on me. He gave me this verse and I leave it with you as I sip on Large strawberry/lemon water along with the encouragement that we are never alone, he never forsakes us. We are His!
Psalm 61:2-4
From the end of the earth I call to you when my heart is faint. Lead me to the rock
that is higher than I, for you have been my refuge, a strong tower against the enemy.
Let me dwell in your tent forever! Let me take refuge under the shelter of your wings. Selah