He knew he was innocent. Everyone around him thought otherwise, demanding him to tell the truth, but he knew his hands were clean. For years he had spent time in a jail cell for a crime he did not commit. Every morning he woke up to the same old gray walls surrounding him, the air cold and damp. He yearned to feel the warmth of the sun on his face again, and see the white, cottony clouds floating over his head. With little around him to keep his mind occupied, he often thought back to the years when he had been home with his family, happy and content with his life. Yes, there had  been trials and events that had occurred that had seemed hard at the time, but after the struggles over the last, what was it, a hundred?, years it all seemed like a drop in a bucket. Only his friend the rat knew the entire story of how he had come to live in such a dreary, hopeless place. Yet, with his faith in God, he often wondered if this would be the day that things would change. Maybe today... 
     The one bright spot was the fact that the prison keeper had taken a liking to him and had given him a special job of helping deliver meals and checking on the other prisoners.  That was how he had come across the king's cupbearer and baker, mumbling and complaining about the strange dreams they had both dreamt the night before. God had given him the interpretations the moment the two men had shared their dreams, and three days later both men were taken away, one to freedom and one to his death. Joseph had hoped the cupbearer would remember him and speak kindly of him to Pharaoh , but another year or more passed and nothing changed. 
     Then came the morning when everything changed. All was the same when he opened his eyes and saw the sad, stark gray around him. He got up, said his prayers, and ate the meager meal of gruel that had been placed in his tray. Then came the pacing, back and forth, so he could keep his muscles in shape and not lose hope just lying on the cot. The rattling of the keys outside his door took him by surprise. It was too early for the prison keeper to fetch him for his rounds. What did this mean?
     The door swung opened and he saw the gate keeper standing there with two armed guards. "Come, Joseph, you are wanted at the palace. We need to get you cleaned up."
     With baited breath, Joseph stepped out and went through the ritual of getting cleaned up so he could be presented to Pharaoh. He had no idea why, but his faith in God kept him strong and he was not afraid. He was ready for anything, no matter what happened today.
     Yet, what happened after that took him completely by surprise. After interpreting the Pharaoh's dreams, with God's help and wisdom, he was given the honor of being second in command in the entire land of Egypt. Waking up in prison that morning, and going to sleep in a palace that same night, was like a dream come true. His faith and hope, that maybe today, had seen him through the trials of yesterday. 

     So many people are going through tough times right now. Gray walls of trials surround you, and it appears that you have no chance for escape. Yet, maybe today God will open the door and allow you to see the light, to see that yesterday's trials are today's victories. 
     A song I heard recently struck me as I listened to these word that filled me with hope to continue on, not grow weary, and know that maybe today, it could all change; that maybe today I will heard the good news I have been waiting for; that maybe today things will turn around for good. With God all things are possible:    
"Yesterday's trials give me strength for today, and serve to remind me that He'll make a way. The nighttime is over and now I can see, that yesterday's battles are today's victories."


  

     Summer vacation is going way too fast, in my opinion. As I look ahead to see only a few more short weeks available before school starts, I wonder how I can pack everything I want to do into that little bit of time. I must admit I have accomplished a lot this summer and feel good about the progress I have made in making a dent in the "stuff" we have around here. Granted, the garage is now another story, but at least the clutter is out of the main living area. We are in the process of renovating the downstairs into a bedroom for JJ, and I am liking the fact that it is actually (almost) empty down there now. I know it will soon be filled with lumber, sheetrock, and a mess of other tools Joe needs to construct the room, but it does not look cluttered like it did. I like that. ☺
     On top of going away last week for a few days of relaxation in the Green Mountains, we brought back one of the cousins so she could stay with us for another week. This past week has been filled with lots of activity:  taking her places to visit, shopping, and other fun stuff, but it has left me feeling very tired. The fact that the girls have been getting to bed too late, has not helped, but what do you expect when you have someone staying over? They even tried to sleep out in the tent one night, but it was on one of the hottest nights of the week so the humidity chased them back inside. I do not blame them. It felt like an oven in that tent when I went out there!
     As I was busy folding clothes the other evening, safe in the lighted bedroom with the door shut, I listened to the children play Hide N Seek in the dark just outside the door. They were screeching and laughing, as well as banging into walls, as the seeker tiptoed around hoping to find the others hidden in the dark corners. It brought back memories of when I was a little girl, playing Hide N Seek in my house with my siblings. It was always great fun until someone got hurt, which always ended the game pretty quickly. And guess what happened that night here? Poor Caleb got poked in the eye ( I do believe his eyes are magnetic to things such as fingers and what not. He is always, and I mean, ALWAYS! getting poked in the eye!)which brought an abrupt end to their game. Oh well, it was fun while it lasted and Caleb is no worse for the wear. He is a tough guy and bounces well.
     Speaking of Caleb, he went to his first teen activity last night and from what I gathered, he loved every minute of it. He has been itching to get involved ever since his buddy joined last year. JJ joined two years ago; then, their best friend joined last year, so it was even harder for Caleb to have to sit out and watch them have all the fun. Now he can be a part of things and he seemed to have adjusted well. He has never had a problem making friends or fitting in. He may scare some away with his craziness, but if people would just take the time to see his heart, they would see him as the soft, tender-hearted child that he is. God has a special plan for that boy's life and I pray, oh, how I pray that God will take that bundle of energy and use it for His glory. 
     So, as these last few weeks of summer approach, I want to use the time wisely and get all my priorities straight. A busy school year looms ahead, as well as many new changes in our lives. Once again there is a bend in the road, and I cannot see what lies around the corner, but God does. He has it all in control and I will just keep my eyes on Him as He directs our paths. Thank You, Lord, for always taking care of my family and I!