"God is faithful and He will not abandon you. Put your hope in Him, and He will send His presence to strengthen and fill you." Kathy Spampinato

We all need regular encouragement to keep us positive and moving forward. It isn't easy to keep motivated or to persevere through the tough moments. Encouragement may usually come from familiar people and places, but can also surprise you, and arrive from an unexpected source. Even though I have written a book about "Overcoming Disappointment and Discouragement", I am no different. I need a boost or a friendly reminder that I can do all things through Christ, which strengthens me. I am aware of the usual triggers that bring discouragement to me, but I am still not immune to them.

Last week I was at the end of a fabulous trip abroad. It was an amazing opportunity to travel and see beautiful sights in incredible places. I got to meet wonderful people and spend time refreshing my French and encouraging others, with 10 days in France, followed by 12 days in Greece and Turkey. I experienced significant places of history and walked where Paul's journeys brought him. I saw ancient history up close, in places where there are still people living everyday lives. There was evidence all around of lives lived 6,000 years ago. It really was a "once in a lifetime" journey, for which I am very grateful. And yet, I arrived at a time of challenge and discouragement. Two of my biggest triggers hit me together: exhaustion and illness. Even though I know I need to take care and manage them well, I felt empty and depleted. I did not see any signs of hope.

My husband and I had a few days at the end of our trip to explore 2 days in Athens, and 2 days in Paris before we headed home. What could be better than that? It sounds like a dream come true. Unfortunately, I spent the days in bed, and in the bathroom. UGH! I had a massive sinus headache, stomach pains, nausea, coughing until all my rib muscles ached, and I was unable to eat very much. I was sleeping half the time. I was unable to grasp a positive view of things, and was concerned that I would not be well enough to make it home.

Finally, it was the day to leave. I was able to eat again, and was relatively sure I was past the point of passing on the virus to others, although I was still coughing. I just needed to get home, and everything would be alright. We tried calling both an Uber and a Taxi in Paris, but it was raining and no one wanted to accept our drive to the airport. We tried over and over for 40 minutes and could not get any help. It turns out that the traffic to our terminal was horrible, and the drivers would be unable to get a job leaving the airport that early. They had better choices. I began to panic, thinking we might just miss our flight and be stuck for a few extra days. I prayed asking God to please send someone to help us. When the time seemed almost too late, and too tight, someone agreed to come to our rescue.

Our driver, Eli, was the answer to my prayer, and my desperate cry for help. God was not distant or too busy to send help. It turns out that Eli was a Haitian man who had also previously lived in French Guiana before settling in Paris. He was positive and almost bubbly as we talked. He was the breath of fresh air I needed, as I struggled to dispel the cloud of gloom that was hanging over my head. When he asked if we wanted some music in the car, he was asking questions about what he should play. During our brief discussion, we found out he was a singer and bass player who loved the Lord and worship. He asked if we knew Kirk Franklyn, and I said yes. He was overjoyed: Kirk Franklin was his favorite. It is not the music we usually listen to, but we were happy to share it with him.

Eli filled the car with exhortations to praise and worship, and the presence of God. I had been struggling to sense God's presence and to walk in the peace of God that morning, and Eli brought Him to me. At a few points he was singing along and worship was just flowing from his heart. A few times he even lifted his right arm in praise as he drove with his left. I tried to sing a little bit but it was causing me to cough and choke so I just sat back and rested in the answer to my prayer. At one point I had to hold my breath not to sob in relief! God was with us, and He had sent us the answer that I needed in a worshipful taxi driver in Paris! God is so good! We made it home, and I am feeling much better. The usual rhythms of joy have returned to my life, and I again host the presence of God with me.

I do not know if today is a day when your heart is overflowing with praise and positivity, or if it is a day when you're struggling to have a good attitude and see God's hand in your life. I would like to give you encouragement from Psalm 121 to lift your heart. Go is faithful and He will not abandon you. Put your hope in Him, and He will send His presence to strengthen and fill you. Be filled with God's presence today. He is waiting to spend time with you.

Psalm 121: 1-8 ESV " I lift up my eyes to the hills. From where does my help come?

My help comes from the Lord, who made heaven and earth.

He will not let your foot be moved; he who keeps you will not slumber.

Behold, he who keeps Israel will neither slumber nor sleep.

The Lord is your keeper; the Lord is your shade on your right hand.

The sun shall not strike you by day, nor the moon by night.

The Lord will keep you from all evil; he will keep your life.

The Lord will keep your going out and coming in from this time forth and forevermore."