I’m not a big car fanatic, but I do enjoy my VW Beetle. It’s a place where I can hit the road and clear my head. It’s time alone to listen to music, and run errands. It’s a comfort blanket of sorts. Not to mention the fact that I use it to visit my friends. And so, when the engine died this summer I missed it a lot.

I could use Michael’s Jeep, but the thing is I can barely reach the pedals, and so I’d rather be safe than take it out on the road. As such, Michael’s been driving me around for six weeks. That wouldn’t be so bad, except he has cancer. The pain is severe, but even so he gets out of bed to drive me as much as he can.

Last week we got the call. The car was ready, and so my daughter and I travelled three hours to pick it up. It felt good to finally see the end of this trial. To finally have the keys in my hand. To finally have some freedom to move…

It started out as a good day, but when the car broke down yet again on the side of the highway, so did I. It meant that I had to call Michael and ask him to take a four hour trip to come get me.

It’s been a rough two years losing the business, losing the house, losing the dogs, having the kids move out all at once, and finally Michael getting sick.

Mom and Dad always said, “When it rains it pours.” And, it’s been pouring here for a while.

With faithfulness comes tribulation. Burdens that weigh down our soul. Rain clouds that dampen our joy. Trials that test us again and again. But, here’s the thing, adversity does one of two things: it either knocks us off of our feet and leaves us feeling defeated, or we are strengthened by it. If you’re not strong in your faith, you won’t be strong in the fight, and so it’s important to be steadfast in prayer and intimately connected with God.

Most people look at happiness as a constant rollercoaster of emotions. When life is good–they’re up, and when it’s down they’re down. It’s on those down days that I remind myself how every trial we face is an opportunity to connect with God in ways I might otherwise miss.


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winking chimp

Tilling the Soil

Read Psalm 16.

Planting Hope

She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. (Proverbs 31:25, NIV)


About the Author

DARLENE SCHACHT is an award-winning and NYT best-selling author. She is the founder of Time-Warp Wife Ministries, an online publication that encourages women to live Christ-centered lives.

Her passion for scripture and hunger for truth is the driving force behind a unique ministry that offers Bible studies and daily marriage prayers. Darlene is joined by her husband Michael on the daily podcast “5-Minute Marriage.”


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