The Means by Which God Most Often Works

Dave Monreal, Lead Pastor

The LORD is my light and my salvation; whom shall I fear? The LORD is the stronghold of my life; of whom shall I be afraid? When evildoers assail me to eat up my flesh, my adversaries and foes, it is they who stumble and fall. Though an army encamp against me, my heart shall not fear; though war arise against me, yet I will be confident. One thing have I asked of the LORD, that will I seek after: that I may dwell in the house of the LORD all the days of my life, to gaze upon the beauty of the LORD and to inquire in his temple.

Psalms 27:1-4 (ESV)

I have never been as sick as I have been the last three weeks. There seems to be no rhyme or reason to how COVID-19 attacks or doesn’t attack an individual who happens to catch the virus. There is perhaps a week or longer that is just a blur to me. One day bled into another without being sure what day it was or what time of day. Symptoms seemed to morph from one problem to another. Headache, loss of taste and smell, complete fatigue, breathing difficulties, coughing, and lung congestion. Then, during the second week things got even worse for Jennifer and she began to struggle with being able to breathe and ended up in the emergency room with bilateral pneumonia.

During this entire experience I was reminded of the sustaining grace of God and His faithfulness in caring for us. One of the chief ways He has cared for us over these last days has been through so many of you. We knew you were praying for us. You dropped off cards and gifts and meals to help us when we literally couldn’t get out of bed. Some men came over and helped throw out trash and pick up around the house. We felt loved, cared for, and supported in so many ways we are just humbled and grateful. I want to thank each of you personally who cared for us.

The Lord is our strength. He is our refuge. He is an ever-present help in time of trouble. He is our protector and provider. What we don’t always consider is that we are most often God’s means for accomplishing His purpose. You were His hands and feet and heart to my family and me over these last three weeks. I am so grateful to be on the other side of this trial and continuing to get well slowly. I truly do not know how people survive without the Body of Christ. Thank you, church family, for all you have done. Words cannot express my gratitude.

With Love and thankfulness,

Pastor Dave