Last week, our full extended family was gathered to celebrate Dad’s 80^th birthday.  It was a joy to honor him and spoil him just a bit more than usual with so many of his favorite things:  all of us together under one roof (even if that totals 18!), delicious meals, lots of smiles, an over abundance of great desserts, fishing and bike rides and singing hymns around the piano!

As the week drew to a close and we packed our bags to travel back to our respective corners of the country, some of us wondered out loud when we might see each other again?

The truth is:  we don’t know!

We were reminded to cherish the times making memories while we have them, because none of us knows what tomorrow will hold – or even the rest of today!

On the first quiet morning back at home, I was thankful to come across a few verses and quotes that spoke right to my heart:

Proverbs 27:1 ~ Do not boast about tomorrow for you do not know what a day may bring.

 “Christ alone holds all things together (Colossians 1:17) – each moment is laced with His grace.”  [Melissa Zaldivar, SRT]

 “Our hope in the grace and mercy and steadfast love of God is as certain as the finished work of Christ.  The great error in arrogantly thinking we know what tomorrow will bring is that it places our trust in ourselves and our circumstances, rather than in Christ alone.”  [Matt Redmond, HRT]

 “God will always accept the faith that puts its trust in Him.”  [Andrew Murray, Choice Gleanings]

I am so grateful that individually (from my Dad right on down!) and collectively as an extended family, we trust the Lord for what’s next.  We look forward to all HE has planned for us and for His grace to bring us back together again as He orchestrates.

As we return to lives that are largely separate from one another, we can trust God to move and work and provide and bless in each of our corners of the country.  We can entrust tomorrow – and each other – to HIM!

I don’t know about tomorrow; I just live from day to day.

I don’t borrow from its sunshine for its skies may turn to gray.

I don’t worry o’er the future for I know what Jesus said.

And today I’ll walk beside Him For He knows what is ahead.

Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

I don’t know about tomorrow; it may bring me poverty.

But the One who feeds the sparrow is the One who stands by me.

And the path that be my portion may be through the flame or flood,

But His presence goes before me and I’m covered with His blood.

Many things about tomorrow I don’t seem to understand

But I know who holds tomorrow

And I know who holds my hand.

 – Alison Krauss –